Namaste/Simpson and Vail -TeaEqualsBliss

Photo Credit: Simpson and Vail

I have made a vow to drink more caffeine free teas and herbal tisane offerings in the past year. I’d like to boast and brag and say that is the main reason for me sampling and reviewing Namaste from Simpson and Vail but I wouldn’t be telling you the whole truth. I have been battling some skin irritations – as well as – some aches and pains so I thought I would buff up my herbals more for that reason, too!

I won’t blab anymore about my aging and ailments. Instead, I will proceed with describing this herbal tisane. Namaste from Simpson and Vail is an offering in their Yoga or Yogi or Yogic Tea line.

Ingredients include Birch Bark, Chamomile Flowers, Jasmine Blossoms, Wild Cherry Bark, Vanilla Beans, Organic Damiana Leaf, Organic Oatstraw, Rose Petals, Honeysuckle & Lavender Blossoms.

The flavor of this tisane was pretty tasty. I was pre-judging it and shame on me. I was afraid the Jasmine and Chamomile were going to be the flavors that overpowered the others and they were not. Everything in the loose mix worked well with each other. It was calming and comforting. I’m glad I finally tried this tisane. One of these days I will learn to not wait so long to try an herbal (or at least not have to have a reason to try it).

I think I will pour myself another cup! Cheers!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Simpson and Vail

Description

Namaste is a greeting or parting phrase as well as a gesture.

In Sanskrit, Namaste means, “the light in me bows to the light in you” or “I bow to light that exists in me and you and to all that is sacred in life”. When spoken to another person, it is usually accompanied by the gesture of the hands at the heart center in prayer position and a slight bow of the head and shoulders. This can also be performed wordlessly and still carry the same beautiful intention.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Coconut Warrior from Wise Ape Tea Company. . . .

Wise Ape Tea company has some hella-cool branding.

Its logo is a three-eyed ape. The site says things like “Wise ape is more than just a tea; it’s a tribe of like-minded individuals who are focused on self-motivation and an altruistic attitude.” The pop up-ad asking you to subscribe to their newsletter says: “We welcome you to join our growing community of health hackers, zen warriors, and legendary tea drinkers. We require nothing but an open mind. Drink healthy and stay wise.”

I mean, like, HECK YES. Was that MADE FOR ME, or what?

When I spotted the samples the SororiTea Sisters received on Instagram , I begged for a few. (This is also a plug for our Instagram. We have one! Follow us!)

Here’s my first sample. . . 

Coconut Warrior is a perfectly-balanced mix of sweet (coconut) and a little bit spicy (tumeric/bark). The flavor is a bit like a chai — one that doesn’t have that runaway spiciness that I find exhausting. It helps that the base is assam, not darjeeling, which is a bit spicier by its very nature. Assam is a good “straight man” companion to hold up a flavored black tea.

It’s good, y’all.

I can’t really tell you if it’s going to reduce your inflammation, “repair,” or “regenerate.” But it WILL “revitalize.” This sweet & lightly spicy little number will put a little pep in your step. It might even open your third eye to exciting new possibilities of the day.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black
Where to Buy:  Wise Ape Tea Company
Description

A revitalizing blend of assam black tea, coconut and turmeric, combined with wildcrafted pau d’ arco bark to heal your human temple. This legendary elixir is designed to mitigate inflammation and defend your body from the inside-out.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Purple Youth from The Whistling Kettle. . . .

Purple Mountain Tea from The Whistling Kettle (or “Purple Youth” as its labeled on my sample) is a cup I’ve revisited recently.

The Whistling Kettle describes this tea as…Purple tea combined with a variety of herbs that provide a healthy dose of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Well rounded herbal notes with a floral-spice finish.

As much as I adore my black teas I need to change it up every once and a while. Plus, I have been incorporating more and more anti-inflammatory teas and tisanes into my tea-sipping-rotation as of late.

This Purple Tea seemed to check all the lists.

The product description page on their website breaks down all of the potential benefits to each and every ingredient they added to this loose leaf blend. I find all of that fascinating because I love learning about plant/herb based healthy and healing properties.

Of course, I’m not making any claims here…I’m just sharing with you what I find interesting about this offering and how they relate to what I’m trying to do to improve my intake, personally.

I’ve been on a Nettle Leaf kick the last couple of weeks and the more I learn about it the more I feel like I need to continue to use it or consume daily.

The flavor of this cup is mild, mellow, soothing, slightly herbal but not medicinal, and an easy drink.

If you want to include more herbs into your life but have been turned off by some other herbal offerings…this tea/tisane just might be for you! I know I enjoyed it and will look for it again, soon!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Purple
Where to Buy:  The Whistling Kettle
Description

We’ve designed this mostly herbal blend around purple tea as an all day, every day sipper. You’ll get loads of antioxidants from purple tea but also the benefits from numerous other herbs that help with skin complexion, hair and nail health and overall mental focus. Hydrate the healthy way!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Orange Dreamsicle from Wise Ape Tea Co. . .

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were hit by the literal plague (okay, fine– influenza. But there was a moment there that I was certain it was the end for me. #dramaqueen). After the first week or so of having no taste for tea (who am I?!), I finally started to feel well enough again to crave my favorite, comforting hot treat. A fresh stash of tea samples arrived at my front door, with this one sitting tantalizingly right on top. My husband loves chamomile when he’s sick, and I love a tea with a fun twist, so I knew this one would be perfect to cure our sick day blues.

Wise Ape’s teas hit the sweet spot of what I love in a good herbal (or traditional tea) blend– interesting, health-supportive herbs, but not at the expense of great flavor. Too often, herbal teas can fall into the all-the-same category– this one certainly did not. Packed with great, sleep-supportive herbs like valerian root, chamomile and skullcap, this blend still boasted deliciously creamy, dreamy orange flavors that felt like heaven on my sick-y throat. The perfect cup to wind down with (and clear those lingering flu-y sinuses) while still feeling like a little treat, this one was a total hit for both my coffee-loving hubs and myself.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy:  Wise Ape Tea Co.
Description

A dreamy blend of chamomile flowers with subtle hints of orange and cream, combined with adaptogenic super-herbs to support your nightly zen. This relaxing elixir is designed to calm the mind, ease the body, and help you sink into a restorative night’s sleep.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Super Nettle from Republic of Tea. . .

So, let’s talk about what I know about nettle. (It’s not much, but bear with me here.) 1. It’s an herb (shocking, I know) 2. It’s chock full of minerals. 3. It’s great for when you need hydration. Annnnd 4. It’s kinda bitter.

(Quick disclosure: I’m not a doctor. Of herby things or otherwise. Over and out.)

So you’ll imagine my surprise when I brewed up this cup and found it to be… buttery? Smooth, a little sweet. Not bitter in the slightest. Upon some further research, I found that this brew is blended with some peppermint and vanilla, perfectly rounding out any herbal-ness that could have been too… herbally. Dare I even say it tastes a little bit like a treat? Nothing added, and it’s the perfect dessert-y nightcap that’s actually good for you!

This pleasant surprise of a cup is a great way to get more yummy herbal teas in your diet without them being (well, let’s face it)– icky. Nicely done, Republic of Tea!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy:  Republic of Tea
Description

Nettle leaves have been known to support the body in a variety of ways. Studies have shown that it can help reduce joint inflammation and can help support kidney function.* Nettle tea has also been popular as a tonic for centuries to help women through all phases of life, from menstruation, through pregnancy and breastfeeding, to menopause.* A touch of mint and vanilla makes this tea a joy to sip.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!