Category: Tea and Coffee

5 HERBAL TEAS THAT INTERACT WITH MEDICATIONS…

We all love our daily cuppa but did you realise that some teas can interact with certain medications? Here is a list of 5 herbal teas that do just that.

  1. According to Live Strong Chamomile Tea which is known for its mild tranquilizing effects may also help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. According to a small January 2016 study in ​Nutrition​, short-term intake of chamomile tea has beneficial effects on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. But drinking copious amounts may significantly lower your blood sugar.
  2. Green tea has also been shown to interact with some medications that are used to treat heart conditions. Green tea leaves (dried) contain vitamin K, which can increase blood clotting. Large amounts of vitamin K may interfere with the activity of some blood thinners, like warfarin.
  3. Green tea and ginger is another possible tea that interacts with medication. However, there is little research to suggest that drinking green tea and ginger could be harmful. Nonetheless , too much ginger can cause diarrhea, heartburn, and even an irregular heartbeat, writes Web MD.
  4. Ginseng and licorice teas can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications including warfarin. Avoid these teas if you experience blood clots and have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or other health conditions that are treated with anticoagulants. Ginseng can also reduce the effectiveness of certain chemotherapeutic and HIV agents, calcium channel blockers, some statin medications and certain antidepressants.
  5. St. John’s wort interacts with a variety of medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, cyclosporine, HIV drugs and blood thinners, so make sure to talk with your doctor before you drink teas with St. John’s wort. Live Strong point out that although many people claim that St. John’s wort can help treat depression in combination with antidepressants, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that adding St. John’s wort to your depression treatment plan can lead to dangerous levels of serotonin in the body.

Source: Live Strong, Web MD Science Direct NIH

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THE WORLD’S HEALTHIEST AFTERNOON TEA WEEK 17th-24th MAY 2021…

The World’s Healthiest Afternoon Tea Week takes place between 17th-24th May 21 and is fundraising for holiday food provision for children living in poverty and from low-income backgrounds.

The Caroline Walker Trust is raising funds for activities which improve the quality of holiday and after school food provision for children living in poverty and low-income families.  The Trust is also acutely aware that due to the recent closures of schools and the ongoing uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation, more children will be in need of adequate nutritious food during extended breaks.

Host your own healthy afternoon tea with family, friends and colleagues, at your work, local school, community centre, place of worship, park, club or café, to support activities that provide healthier food options for children during the holidays, extended breaks and after school.

There are over four million children in the UK who already live below the breadline that go hungry every holiday.  In some areas, over a third of school children would normally have access to a free school meal during term time.  For many, this may also be their only meal. Unfortunately, school breaks hit them particularly hard, forcing them to go without adequate food.  For those from low-incomes, after school provision of food options in most areas often comprises unhealthy takeaway options, leading to obesity and rising health inequalities at an early age.

The number of children in poverty is set to increase over the coming months as self-isolation and the uncertainty of employment continues.  It may be that schools reopen and periodically close again, leaving more children without adequate and/or nutritious food for lunch and afternoon tea.  The Caroline Walker Trust aims to improve holiday, term breaks and after school food provision for children living in poverty and from low-incomes.

You can make a massive difference to the lives of children by hosting a healthy afternoon tea at your work, school or favourite community organisation. 

All the monies raised will provide;

  • Activities which support and improve the quality of holiday food provision for children living in poverty,
  • After school projects supporting healthier food options for children from low income-based families,
  • Resources, information and expertise to enhance the quality of food and the improvement of the nation’s health.