Are herbal teas raw?

AVLAVL Raw Newbie

I was wondering is herbal teas were raw? Isn't it just dried up leaves in a little pouch?

Comments

  • eechoeecho Raw Newbie

    They're not "raw" in that they don't posess enzymes, especially after steeping them. However, I think most would agree they are not harmful, and potentially have other medicinal benefits. I also heard they don't have calories anyway, but I'm not sure what that means.

  • camiheartsrawcamiheartsraw Raw Newbie

    The teas are probably one of my non-raw things that I won't give up in addition to a few supplements - but I'm far from a purist :) The water that I steep them at is undoubtedly higher than the 116* allowed, but green teas are a natural antihistamine and there are loads of antioxidants. Fennel and licorice help with digestion - as does raw fennel - nettle teas are high in vitamin C, slippery elm is fantastic for the digestive tract, chamomile and mint are great for relaxation and reducing muscle spasms due to stress, and the list goes on. Many of these teas have raw alternatives, but I tend to run very cold and love a warm cup in the morning. I do not drink coffee, but I love my teas. I also like drinking warm water just to warm up a bit.

    Cami

  • Chef ShuannaChef Shuanna Raw Newbie

    I have heard of MANY raw foodists that allow tea. Just because the water is above the 'safe zone' doesnt mean its losing nutrients. I mean...its water. I heard some people advocate the use of teas because it helps with the feeling of comfort and such. Even just Boiled water and some lemon squeezed in. The problem with store purchased teas is that they normally have citric acid or some other preservative.

    Coffee is the one thing I allow myself that is not raw. Primarily because I had been working in coffee for SEVERAL years in seattle and then was a coffee roaster so it was really my job to taste coffee. Always black tho! I would like to switch over to teas but this is a pretty huge thing for me to try and give up. It's my one vice!

    bosonHavoc seems to have a pretty stellar idea....one that I think I may just steel!

    Cheers!

  • I honestly believe that if something is "steamed" ok cooked with a lid on it, the nutrients don't escape... but I also believe that tea is very beneficial. Everytime I drink green tea, it cleans out my bowels immediately. But teas can work differently on different people. I just feel that they are cleansing and have some health benefits, more so than it does to simply drink hot water with sea salt all the time.

  • i love tea and i love coffee.. :) for an amazing raw tea (substitute buy fresh for grow if you have to) grow lemon grass and mint (their are lots of different types of mint too) they are super easy to grow.. well i speak for zone 8 :) but they winter well so i bet they will grow in other zones pretty easy. put lemon grass and mint in a glass jar and leave it in the sun. im not sure for how long because i usually forget about it for a day or 2 then drink.... yumms for you mums :D edit.. oops and dont forget the water :)

  • Hi, AVL. I wanted to make sure you are drinking organic teas. Just because the label says herbal, the tea is not organic unless it says so. The leaves of non-organic teas are not washed of the pesticides before they are dried and packaged, so the pesticides steep into your drink. Organic teas can now be easily found at almost all grocery stores.

  • AVLAVL Raw Newbie

    kristin744, that never even crossed my mind! I never thought of buying organic teas, I just thought that since it was herbal and caffeine-free than it was good. Thanks for making me conscious of that!

  • luxdivonluxdivon Raw Newbie

    yea you'll be floored at the taste difference between organic and non organic teas. I thought I didn't like green tea. Turns out I like green tea just fine, just organic green tea. seems like what i didn't like was all those pesticides!

    hehe. yea.. the lemongrass mint sun steeped tea is awesome! I bet hibiscus would work the same way too!

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