Obscure ‘tea trick’ could help keep you sharp as a tack
If you wake up in the morning a little foggy-headed… and feel like you need something to clear out those cobwebs…
You could brew up a pot of coffee… and keep pouring until you finally feel like you’re AWAKE.
But while there are many benefits to the mental “jolt” you might get from your favorite bean…
Not everyone can handle the big PUNCH that coffee PACKS.
Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with “the jitters”… and you don’t have to sleepwalk your way through the morning, either.
Because there’s ANOTHER morning beverage that can SUPPORT healthy cognition… IMPROVE mental performance… and even REDUCE mental fatigue.
Even better, while you might feel more ENERGIZED…
It WON’T keep you awake at night… and it WON’T make you feel like a nervous wreck.
And it’s “Made in the USA.”
Contentment… in a cup?
Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) is a type of holly tree that you might see planted in the Southeastern U.S. as part of an ornamental landscape.
While it’s pretty to look at… it’s also got a “secret power.”
It’s edible! (Well, technically it’s “drinkable.”)
And not only that, but it’s PACKED with benefits for your cognition.
It’s traditionally considered a “tea plant” – but it’s far less bitter than what we’ve come to know as “true” tea (Camellia sinensis).
Its Native American use… among tribes living anywhere from North Carolina to Florida to Texas… dates back at least 1,000 years.
Several tribes consumed it daily as their “morning drink”… for both its stimulating and healthful properties. The Cherokee Nation reportedly called yaupon “the beloved tree.”
Early “New World” merchants even shipped it throughout the rest of the world, including Europe.
But somehow in the last several hundred years, yaupon was FORGOTTEN.
Make no mistake — this is a very special plant. And if you’re a coffee- or tea-drinker now, you might want to consider making the switch over to yaupon.
It contains no less than 3 primary stimulating compounds…
- theophylline
- theobromine, and
- caffeine
You may have NEVER heard of those first two – but they’re also chemicals found in chocolate!
Native South Americans have called cacao trees (Theobroma cacao)… the source of that yummy dark and milk chocolate… the “food of the gods.”
Which brings us to the third stimulant in yaupon, caffeine.
What makes this herb REALLY special is that it’s the ONLY native caffeine-rich plant to grow in this country!
In fact, this herbal tea served as a substitute for scarce coffee supplies during the Civil War… and even between World War I and II.
That’s because it can…
- STIMULATE energy levels
- SHARPEN focus
- INCREASE memory, and
- BOOST mood.
Now, I’m sure that first one doesn’t surprise you. Anyone who’s ever tried a caffeinated beverage has experienced a certain “alertness” that follows.
But studies have shown that the chemicals in yaupon have ALSO been associated with “contentedness.”
A 2009 study found that these chemicals can also contribute to a decrease in “mental fatigue.”
No wonder so many folks are so MISERABLE until they get their first cup o’ joe!
With yaupon, though, you’re not just getting caffeine — but also those other 2 chemicals I mentioned.
And the resulting energy boost could therefore be gentler… and even longer-lasting.
We don’t know exactly how these chemicals work to OPTIMIZE your mental performance…
But we think it has something to do with how they can STIMULATE blood flow to your brain… and ERADICATE excess inflammation.
Yaupon tea is in fact an antioxidant powerhouse, rich in plant compounds called polyphenols.
Now, you may be a little worried about the caffeine levels in yaupon – and if you’ve been told to avoid caffeine altogether, this tea may not be for you.
But the amount of caffeine you’ll find in yaupon is likely comparable to that of green or black tea — about a third less than coffee.
There’s another reason why you might choose yaupon tea over regular ol’ tea…
It contains ZERO oxalates, which have been linked to the formation of kidney stones in some people.
You can find dried yaupon leaves packaged as either a “green” tea (made from fresh, unroasted leaves) or a “black” (a.k.a. roasted) tea.
You can also find yaupon tea concentrate… best for preparing big batches of iced tea).
Look for it at your local health food store or online.
To boosting energy without overstimulation,
Melissa Young
