The Matcha Alternatives Blog

Your new favorite source of information about antioxidant-rich teas and tisanes

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Tulsi Holy Basil: An Ancient Tea for Modern Times

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Tulsi Holy Basil is a famous herb and tisane in the herbal medicine philosophy of India called Ayurveda. True to its title as “adaptogen”, Tulsi can be taken safely as a tonic (a fancy way to say drinking a tea or tisane for health purposes) over long periods of time and has virtually no side-effects. Holy Basil revitalizes, increases endurance and energizes, yet contains no caffeine. Furthermore, it contains phytochemicals that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and has even shown protective action for human blood lymphocytes by reducing chromosomal damage due to radiation. It's a pretty incredible tea!

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Tulsi Holy Basil: An Ancient Tea for Modern Times

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Tulsi Holy Basil is a famous herb and tisane in the herbal medicine philosophy of India called Ayurveda. True to its title as “adaptogen”, Tulsi can be taken safely as a tonic (a fancy way to say drinking a tea or tisane for health purposes) over long periods of time and has virtually no side-effects. Holy Basil revitalizes, increases endurance and energizes, yet contains no caffeine. Furthermore, it contains phytochemicals that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and has even shown protective action for human blood lymphocytes by reducing chromosomal damage due to radiation. It's a pretty incredible tea!

Read more

The Dark Truth About Matcha Tea

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Matcha green tea powder has exploded in Western markets over the past decade, as its superfood reputation spreads. However, is it all it's cracked up to be? Is it truly king of the healthy drinks when consumers are going to Starbucks and drinking matcha lattes that are 50% sugar? It's also fiercely expensive, at up to $3 for a mug, at home! Is it the high antioxidant claims that have led to the title of king? The nutrient profile? There are MANY herbs that beat matcha by a long shot. Consider Moringa: this plant is also a preparation of ground leaves that are whisked into water and enjoyed similarly to matcha. Let’s also compare Rooibos and Honeybush, who are also strong contenders.

Read more

The Dark Truth About Matcha Tea

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Matcha green tea powder has exploded in Western markets over the past decade, as its superfood reputation spreads. However, is it all it's cracked up to be? Is it truly king of the healthy drinks when consumers are going to Starbucks and drinking matcha lattes that are 50% sugar? It's also fiercely expensive, at up to $3 for a mug, at home! Is it the high antioxidant claims that have led to the title of king? The nutrient profile? There are MANY herbs that beat matcha by a long shot. Consider Moringa: this plant is also a preparation of ground leaves that are whisked into water and enjoyed similarly to matcha. Let’s also compare Rooibos and Honeybush, who are also strong contenders.

Read more

Adaptogens Part 2: What Foods and Teas Contain Adaptogens?

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Adaptogens improve the adaptability of the body, regardless of the origin of the stressor (physiological, psychological, environmental, or situational), and increases its resistance threshold. In doing so, they improve organ function and hormone regulation. A brief breakdown would be to consider the Ginsengs as stimulating, Tulsi is calming, and Ashwagandha and Moringa can act in both ways (while also replenishing a deficient and depleted system). 

Read more

Adaptogens Part 2: What Foods and Teas Contain Adaptogens?

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Adaptogens improve the adaptability of the body, regardless of the origin of the stressor (physiological, psychological, environmental, or situational), and increases its resistance threshold. In doing so, they improve organ function and hormone regulation. A brief breakdown would be to consider the Ginsengs as stimulating, Tulsi is calming, and Ashwagandha and Moringa can act in both ways (while also replenishing a deficient and depleted system). 

Read more

Adaptogens Part 1: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Adaptogens might be a funny sounding word, but they are relatively straightforward. In short, Adaptogens are a relatively new class of herbs that help us “adapt” to stress, regardless of the origin of the stressor. They regulate and modulate hormone production, organ function, cell health and immune function. These plants are “intuitive” and it is said that the more you need them the more they will work, the less you need them the less they will work. For example: A person with low blood sugar and a person with high blood pressure could both take therapeutic amounts of adaptogens and see their blood sugar balance out!

Read more

Adaptogens Part 1: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Adaptogens might be a funny sounding word, but they are relatively straightforward. In short, Adaptogens are a relatively new class of herbs that help us “adapt” to stress, regardless of the origin of the stressor. They regulate and modulate hormone production, organ function, cell health and immune function. These plants are “intuitive” and it is said that the more you need them the more they will work, the less you need them the less they will work. For example: A person with low blood sugar and a person with high blood pressure could both take therapeutic amounts of adaptogens and see their blood sugar balance out!

Read more

Moringa: The Energizing, Caffeine-Free Matcha Alternative

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Known as the “miracle tree” Moringa is listed as a cure for 300 ailments in Ayurveda. It is considered a superfood, due to its rich nutrient content. Moringa provides more fiber, vitamins A and C, and protein than Matcha. Matcha doesn’t provide any protein, whereas Moringa provides all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein - a rare thing for the plant world. It is also an adaptogen, a class of botanicals that increase endurance, energy and concentration, aid the stress response, and regulate other systems and functions (i.e., blood pressure and blood sugar) without a single bit of caffeine!

Read more

Moringa: The Energizing, Caffeine-Free Matcha Alternative

Posted by Stephany Morgan on

Known as the “miracle tree” Moringa is listed as a cure for 300 ailments in Ayurveda. It is considered a superfood, due to its rich nutrient content. Moringa provides more fiber, vitamins A and C, and protein than Matcha. Matcha doesn’t provide any protein, whereas Moringa provides all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein - a rare thing for the plant world. It is also an adaptogen, a class of botanicals that increase endurance, energy and concentration, aid the stress response, and regulate other systems and functions (i.e., blood pressure and blood sugar) without a single bit of caffeine!

Read more