Oh, my aching back! I have a severe case of text neck that has traveled down my shoulder and upper back and sleeping has been a bit rough lately. A friend told me that tulsi is the best pain-in-the-neck reliever and I would love to get a good night’s sleep, so let’s see if it gives some relief.
When I mix my own tulsi blend I usually just put tulsi and lavender. This blend also has chamomile and rose. It looks beautiful in the sachet and is clearly nice big pieces and not dust. You can tell it is fresh by the lovely colors of the ingredients – no oasty gray here. And the sachet is made of cornstarch! No nylon in this baby, so I can toss the whole thing in my compost tomorrow – after I resteep it, of course!
After three minutes of steeping, I am ready to be enticed away to la-la land. The tea tastes and smells primarily of tulsi to me even though that is the last ingredient listed. Secondly, I taste chamomile and then the lavender and rose equally and subtly. It is a little bit savory and a whole lot relaxing. There is a lingering herbal aftertaste and it isn’t really floral, but still savory.
I could swear I feel my jaw unclenching, and I didn’t even realize it was clenched…
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: We Are Tea
Description
There aren’t many things that a good night’s sleep can’t fix, so we created this ultimate night time blend to help you along the way. Settle your mind, sink into your pillow and let this caffeine free tea melt the pressure away. No sheep counting required!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Gratitude from Numi Organic Teas. . . .
If you’ve been around for a hot minute, you know that I love me some licorice root teas. That said: when a licorice root tea is bad, it’s BAD. There’s a fine balance when you’re dealing with something so naturally sweet (hi, have you met my friend stevia leaf?), and it can be tricky for a tea to knock it outta the park.
This tea? Knocked it outta the park! The sumptuous sweetness of licorice root is beautifully balanced here by the herbaceousness of the lemon verbena and gentle spice from the turmeric. I love any tea with beneficial herbs, and this one delivers across the board with calming tulsi and balancing ashwaghanda.
It’s not often that I find myself choosing bagged tea over my beloved loose leaves, but this is a blend that I love to keep on hand for a quick brew at night, or for an afternoon pick-me-up in my desk drawer. Sweet, indeed!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Numi Organic Teas
Description
A silky sweetness embodies this soothing blend of tulsi which warms the heart, licorice that invigorates the spirit, and ashwagandha that protects and supports. The addition of maca, turmeric, and chamomile bring a rootsy, apple-like taste and a spicy finish. The medley is complex and satisfying, allowing you to settle into an affirming state of gratitude for all of life’s gifts.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Turmeric Chai from The Whistling Kettle. . . . .
The experience I had recently with Turmeric Chai from The Whistling Kettle is something I would like to share with you today!
‘ This isn’t your average chai! Why? Because it goes above and beyond with the addition of BOTH turmeric and Tulsi (holy basil). A little bit of each of those ingredients goes a long way! You can see and taste the specks of turmeric and the tulsi is just as wonderful! The dynamic duo surely makes this blend of flavors what it is. And it IS wonderful!
This is a blend of black tea, ginger, and cinnamon, Tulsi (known as Holy Basil), and turmeric.
Tulsi has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes – from use in Hindu worship and the healing practices of Ayurveda, to flavoring in Thai cuisine and even as an all-natural insect repellent! Perhaps I should look into some tulsi for my kitchen because the fruit flies are crazy this year!
Turmeric is an integral spice in curry and I adore it! It has been found to contain anti-inflammatory compounds and can increase your body’s antioxidant capacity. Curcumin, the compound that’s responsible for the bright yellow hue, is particularly effective in preventing heart attacks, delaying diabetes, and even fighting cancer.
Black pepper, found in this tea, is often used to boost the amount of curcumin (an active compound in turmeric) that is able to be absorbed into the blood.
Of course we aren’t making any claims here because we aren’t doctors – we are just tea loving beings, folks!
If any or all of this intrigues you THIS is a flavor chai you will WANT to try!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Whistling Kettle
Description
What’s better than a piping hot spiced tea? Warm and spicy, this is sure to be a favorite among chai drinkers.
Featuring a blend of black tea, ginger, and cinnamon, this chai incorporates Tulsi (known as Holy Basil) and turmeric for added flavor and health benefits.
Tulsi has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes – from use in Hindu worship and the healing practices of Ayurveda, to flavoring in Thai cuisine and even as an all-natural insect repellent!
Turmeric, an integral spice in curry, has been found to contain anti-inflammatory compounds and can increase your body’s antioxidant capacity. Curcumin, the compound that’s responsible for the bright yellow hue, is particularly effective in preventing heart attacks, delaying diabetes, and even fighting cancer.
Black pepper, found in this tea, is often used to boost the amount of curcumin (an active compound in turmeric) that is able to be absorbed into the blood.
Like with all chais – we recommend this with milk and a small amount of sugar to bring out the flavors.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
A Black Tea Featuring Tulsi. . . . #ChaiSafari
Spiced Tulsi Black from Chai Safari features a wonderous herb called Tulsi/Holy Basil and it’s been a part of the Indian household and culture for ages. This Tea combines the spicy flavour of ginger with the freshness of Tulsi leaves and it has properties to cleanse your mood and deliver a fresh punch that shall sooth your mind and body.
I really liked the deep, dark, strong black tea base that was used in this flavored tea. The ginger gave it a spicy pep and the tulsi added the herbal factor into the mix and it was just the right amount of everything!
This was aromatic to the nose and brisk on the taste buds. It was robust and that was my favorite characteristic of it. It had a dry texture to it. I say texture because I hate the term ‘mouth feel’. I’ve said that before and I will say it again…it’s just one of those words that make me cringe…like moist or shin-dig or panties. BLAH! But I think you can catch what I’m throwing here, folks, right? I really liked this tea and I wish I could come up with better words to describe the dance on the tongue it does!
It’s the best of all worlds…black tea base, spicy SPICES (Ginger), and herbs (Tulsi)! Now excuse me while I take another peaceful moment with this tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Chai Safari
Description
The herb Tulsi/Holy Basil has been a part of the Indian household and culture since ages. This Tea combines the spicy flavour of ginger with the freshness of Tulsi leaves. This tea has properties to cleanse your mood and deliver a fresh punch that shall sooth your mind and body.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Tulsi Orange Cranberry Ginger Organic Tea from Simpson and Vail
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Tea Description:
This Tulsi tea blend is caffeine-free and combines herbs that have vitamins and anti-oxidants. This organic herbal blend of Tulsi, orange peel, hibiscus, rosehips and ginger root brews to a reddish amber cup with a mellow minty, fruity taste and light, sweet ginger notes. A well rounded brew that’s great for afternoon or evening enjoyment.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I have been on a herbal kick as of late and loving it. Herbals are something that I think you either love or hate depending on the ingredients. I know chamomile and hibiscus blends are sometimes referred to as vile, but I love them. About the only tea I don’t care for is red rooibos blends, but beyond that I’ll try anything.
Work has been nuts lately and I wanted something to be refreshing yet soothing so I grabbed my sample of this Tulsi blend from Simpson & Vail. I was crazy impressed with their Cozy Comfort blend that I tried the other day (tasted like monkey bread!) I had high expectations but once I took in the fragrance from the dry leaf mix, I had my hesitations. The ginger smelled like it was going to be strong.
Brewed this up in my Sei Sei Tumbler and allowed it to steep for about 5 minutes in boiling water. Poured the brew into my cuppa and sat down to go over what I needed to to for the day. As I took my first sip, I literally thought, nope, I will not be reviewing what I need to do today. I am going to sit right here with my feet propped up on my desk and enjoy my tea. And that is exactly what I did!
This tea hit the spot in so many ways. I wanted a soothing blend that touched the soul, so to speak. Once that would refresh and calm me but also be vibrant enough to deliver that kick I would need to keep going. This tea did all of that. No, I’m not going to say it will cure what will ail you, but in that moment of time, this tea delivered everything I needed.
What I loved the most was the citrus flavor that had a tart twist at the end of the sip with the ginger floating in and out. The ginger wasn’t overwhelming like I was worried about and actually became the flavor I was seeking each sip I took. Which is very surprising to me. I am not a huge ginger fan. This tea had such a cozy charming feel to it with the tart and sweet contrast that I found myself wanting more of this tea right after the cuppa was gone. I ended up drinking this tea for the remainder of the day, letting the flavors really give me that cozy feeling I was wanting with that kick I desperately needed.
Tea #2 that I have tried from Simpson & Vail and another tea I am adoring!
