Today we mark National Tea Day here in the UK. Whether it’s a traditional breakfast tea, Earl Grey, a classic builder’s brew or a calming herbal infusion, tea has become deeply woven into our culture. But its story stretches far beyond the British teapot – with roots tracing back to ancient China. According to legend, it was accidentally discovered by Emperor Shen Nung in 2737 BC, when leaves from a Camellia sinensis tree drifted into his bowl of boiling water. By the 17th century, tea had made its way to Britain, becoming a beloved part of not only our culture but our routines, social traditions, and wellbeing practices.
From its ancient healing roots to modern-day self-care rituals, tea continues to play a meaningful role in our daily lives – lifting our spirits, offering comfort, and providing both nourishment and gentle healing.
Tea types & their benefits
Black tea
Black tea makes up around 85% of the 100 million cups of tea consumed each day in the UK. It’s rich in theaflavins and thearubigins – types of polyphenols that act as antioxidants. These compounds are thought to support heart health and may help nourish beneficial gut bacteria. In fact, one study found that black tea consumption significantly reduced LDL cholesterol in individuals with elevated levels.1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14519829/
Green tea
Green tea is a go-to for the health-conscious, thanks to its catechins – polyphenols known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It’s also a source of B vitamins, folate, manganese, potassium, and magnesium. Research shows that green tea may even help reduce anxiety and support cognitive function and brain health.2https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28899506/
Chamomile tea
Traditionally used to aid sleep and known for its soothing effects. Packed full of flavonoids, a type of antioxidants that help to protect the body against damage from free radicals.
Peppermint tea
Best known for its key compound menthol, which gives it that signature cooling effect and flavour. Peppermint is linked to a range of benefits. These include stress reduction, headache and allergy relief (thanks to its rosmarinic acid), and easing digestive discomfort. Studies have also highlighted how peppermint oil may help reduce symptoms of IBS.3https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26319955/
Ginger tea
Best known for relieving nausea, ginger contains powerful bioactive compounds – gingerol and shogaol. These also help to reduce inflammation, support digestion, and may even offer protective effects against age-related cognitive decline.4https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7644455/
Echinacea tea
Best known as a herbal remedy to treat colds and flu thanks to it’s antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Chuckling Goat teas & their benefits
- Get Me Through the Day Tea – Contains vervain, rosemary, peppermint and mugwort. It’s uplifting, energising and helps to improve focus.
- Sing Me to Sleep Tea – With Chamomile, lavender, hop flowers and valerian root, it’s comforting, calming and helps to encourage sleep.
- Gut Cleanse Tea – It contains natural, medicinal herbs, dandelion root, burdock root and yellow dock root. It is antimicrobial, antioxidant and has liver supporting properties.
- Tummy Tea – A calming blend of meadowsweet, chamomile, peppermint, and marshmallow root. This formula is ideal for those with IBS. With its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to ease digestive discomfort and support overall gut function.
- Skin Rescue Tea – Made with chickweed, chamomile, nettle, yarrow, and calendula, this tea is great for skin flare-ups because it’s anti-inflammatory, soothing, and nourishing.
The research on individual herbs like chamomile, lavender, and yarrow is well established. Chuckling Goat’s small-batch blends combine these ingredients in a gentle way designed to support your body’s natural rhythms.
Tea reminds us to pause, take a breath and come back to ourselves. So this National Tea Day, take a moment, create a ritual, connect to yourself, share a pot of tea with friends, and celebrate the tradition of tea drinking. Whether that’s a soothing tummy tea or your favourite black tea with milk. Drink to soothe your soul or your body or both 😊
To read more on the benefits of herbal tea see here.
Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.
References
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