I’ve been a tea drinker since I was about 12 years old. The first thing I do when I wake up is guzzle down two cups of tea. Then I can start to function.  Every time I’ve done a job I celebrate with a cup of tea. Every time I get home (no matter where I’ve been – shopping, school run, putting out the garbage!) I have a nice cup of tea.  I have one in bed just before I drift off. I suppose I’m a bit like a chain smoker, only with tea.  I’d say that I must drink a minimum of twelve cups a day.  Although sometimes its probably more.

Anyway, I’ve never ever been able to reduce my caffeine intake. As soon as I try I get serious headaches. Withdrawal. And when you have four kids to look after withdrawal symptoms are just  not an option.

However, whilst I have been lowering the amount of other things I consume (see post below – MSG’s, dairy, gluten, meat, etc) I have noticed that I am naturally drinking less tea. I am getting less headaches, and therefore don’t need to drink the tea to get over them. Now I am wondering whether the headaches were even caused by the caffeine or not?

I am down to about 3 cups of tea a day.  The rest of the time I am drinking herbal tea, and enjoying them.  With no headaches this is not a problem.  But last night we had a Chinese Take-Away.  Oh it has been so long and my darling husband was so desperate for one.  So I succumbed, but instead of ordering my usual, I followed Gillian McKeith’s advice and ordered a veggie noodle dish, the better of all the evils.  Still, it was ladled in oil, and very salty, and I felt awful after eating it.  Within hours I had developed a headache.

Today I feel like crap.  Slow, tired, headachy, toxic, and just generally unwell.  I was feeling sorry for myself when I realised that this is how I used to feel EVERY DAY! There is no doubt that my body does not like MSG’s and I feel a lot better without them.  Let that be a lesson to me.

This is my old, beloved, favourite tea brand. Available, I think, only in Northern Ireland. Punjana make a darn good cup of tea.  Visitors from abroad often take packets of it home with them.  This bag of 160 would last me about a month. Not bad for £2.49!

Here is what I am drinking now.  Mostly the ‘clipper’ organic teas.  At 99p for 20 it’s probably costing me a lot more, but is totally worth it for the health benefits. The clipper teas come in unbleached bags. I had never before considered the health implications of using a bleached tea bag.  Why do we bleach them anyway? Why do they need to be pure white instead of a natural yellowy colour? Bizarre.

I am mostly drinking Nettle, Nettle & Peppermint, Chamomile, Mint, Dandelion and Fennel.  This is a great link about herbal teas and their benefits.

Nettle tea is what I am drinking most of. Reputed to aid weight loss  as it supports metabolism and has diuretic properties.  Nettle is also known to fight coughs, colds, and tuberculosis; to counter arthritis, rheumatism, tendonitis, and other joins and muscle disorders;  helps intestinal disorders; fights skin problems; fights allergies like hay fever and eczema, and treats urinary tract infections.

Chamomile is famous for its relaxing and calming properties.  It is also reputed to fight infections and boost the immune system; relieves muscle spasms and menstrual cramps; relaxes the nerves; sooths the stomach; reduces inflammation; improves liver function; helps relieve back pain; relieves rheumatism.

Dandelion tea is famous for its digestive properties.  It stimulates the release of bile from the liver into the gallbladder, so aiding digestion of fats.  It is also used as an agent for optimum liver, kidney and gallbladder function; detoxifies; is used for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; purifies the blood and cleanses the system; relieves digestion and constipation; cleanses and improves the skin.

Fennel tea has a strong aniseed flavour. I couldn’t drink it all day long, but it’s not so awful that I can’t enjoy a cup now and then.  Fennel tea is used to treat intestinal disorders and reduce flatulence; it can fight catarrh; stimulates milk flow in women; acts as an antispasmodic; possesses diuretic, bile producing, pain relieving, fever reducing and and antimicrobial actions.

Peppermint tea is used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome; eases nausea and vomiting; controls flatulence; improves digestion and reduces heartburn; dissolves gallstones; reduces herpes outbreaks; fights bad breath; controls muscle aches and pains; clears congestion and coughs caused by colds and asthma; and fights stress.