Winter has many perks, but health – both internally and externally – can be a little more of a struggle during this season. Constant colds, dry skin and unmotivation can sometimes feel like a given during the winter, but guess what? They don’t have to be things we tolerate!
There are plenty of ways to stay healthy during the winter, such as stress less, drink water and reduce the cold (as shared in the Mayo Clinic’s Winter Wellness article). However, our favourite way to stay healthy during the winter combines all three of these things: tea!
As written in the Heart Foundation’s Winter Health Tips blog:
“Drinking tea dates back to ancient China, and in recent years the spotlight has been on its health benefits. Black and green tea are rich in plant chemicals, some of which are called flavonoids, which have antioxidant effects. In studies of people who drink tea regularly, their blood vessels were healthier and their risk of heart disease lower.”
While these benefits are all true for tea drinkers, they are multiplied dramatically for lemon myrtle tea drinkers.
Lemon myrtle tea is great to have all year round, but it is a necessity to have during the winter. Why? There are 5 key-reasons:
1. Immune System Boost
Lemon myrtle tea contains high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help to boost your immune system and protect against winter colds and flu. It is also caffeine-free and tastes amazing paired with grated ginger and honey, so it’s a perfect way to boost any immune systems of the little ones around you too.
2. Soothes Respiratory Issues
The citral oil in lemon myrtle has natural decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent remedy for relieving winter congestion, coughs, and sore throats. Having lemon myrtle as a tea means the citral oil is naturally inhaled as well as ingested, clearing sinuses before it ever reaches your stomach.
3. Calming and Uplifting
Lemon myrtle tea has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety while also providing a natural energy boost to help you feel more uplifted and focused. This is especially beneficial during the winter when motivation and drive naturally dips.
4. Antimicrobial Properties
Lemon myrtle's antimicrobial properties can help to combat winter infections, such as sinusitis and bronchitis, by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses. This makes lemon myrtle tea amazing as a preventative measure, as well as natural remedy for when you do find yourself sick, so drink it daily for the best impact.
5. Promotes Healthy Skin
As mentioned above, tea can have antioxidant effects, and that is no different for lemon myrtle tea. In fact, lemon myrtle is rich in both antioxidants and vitamins, which are crucial to maintaining healthy skin and reducing the appearance of winter dryness and irritation. This leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed, which can feel like a rarity at this time of year!
So how do you make lemon myrtle tea?
First, you need lemon myrtle leaf, and we've done the hard work for you, in creating our very special and incredibly popular Natural Lemon Myrtle Leaf Tea. (You can click this link to view our lemon myrtle tea product).
Next, add one teaspoon of Lemon Myrtle tea leaves per person to the pot and add water. Stir the leaf and then allow it to steep for 4-5 minutes. Pour the tea into your favourite cup and enjoy hot, cold, or as iced tea in the warmer months.
You could also add crushed Lilly Pillys, strawberries, riberries, finger limes, ginger or any fruit to your taste. Or perhaps you’d prefer to mix it with another tea of your choosing… The options are endless!
Want to keep learning about lemon myrtle? Read this blog on the internal (and external) benefits, or click here to view a one-pot lemon myrtle chicken recipe that is a must-make this Winter!