In case you didn’t know already…Wholesome Story has launched our own medicinal tea line! And we’re so excited about it that we decided to dedicate a blog post to its awesomeness.
Read on if you want to learn more about how we formulated our teas just for you!
Clean
Above all, our goal for these teas was that they be clean and wholesome.
Every tea sachet is 100% USDA organic and Kosher certified. We use non-GMO, planted-based, compostable tea bags (no icky plastic tea bags, thank you very much!) and we don’t add any preservatives, colorings, flavorings, or other questionable add-ins.
With Wholesome Story teas, you can enjoy every sip with the knowledge you’re nourishing your body with wholesome goodness.
Based in Traditional, Herbal Wisdom
Of course, we must acknowledge the ancient healers who developed the herbal wisdom in which our teas are rooted.
Herbal teas like ours have been used for millennia. Without the collective wisdom of early botanists and healers, we could never have created these teas.
Give Me Specifics
On to the teas! Keep reading if you want to learn more about the herbal power we packed into each tea formulation.
Mama-To-Be Fertility Support Tea
We know that many mamas-to-be like to take their supplements as tea. We hear you loud and clear, Mamacitas!
This blend was specifically formulated for our customers because we felt like y’all deserved a fertility tea made with your concerns in mind. Different women want and need different herbs for their bodies, depending on the reason(s) why they’re having difficulty conceiving.
Mama-To-Be Fertility Support Tea from Wholesome Story is made with herbs and spices that support hormonal balance and gentle nourishment.
We included:
- Cinnamon - for healthy blood sugar levels.
While there aren’t many studies on the subject, what is available shows cinnamon to be a promising herb for supporting healthy blood sugar levels.
Since many of our customers battle with their blood sugar, and since this battle can affect fertility, we felt it was important to include cinnamon as a base herb in this blend. 1
- Spearmint - for healthy androgen levels.
Like cinnamon, there aren’t a lot of studies available that show the effects spearmint can have on hormonal balance, but what evidence there is, is very encouraging.
Spearmint can support healthy levels of androgen hormones in certain populations (we think you know what these populations are ) And, since high androgen levels can mess with fertility, we made Spearmint the other base herb in our fertility blend. (It’s a huge plus that cinnamon and mint go so well together!) 2
- Nettle Leaf - for nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals.
What’s a fertility tea without a healthy dose of nourishing nettle leaf? And, not only is nettle nourishing, but some cultures use nettle leaf to combat hyperandrogenism (high androgen levels). Yay! 3, 4
- Chamomile - for promoting calm.
Have you ever heard someone tell you that all you need to do to conceive is just calm down? While we don’t think this is true for most women, we do acknowledge that high stress levels are not great for encouraging conception.
Enter chamomile. This pretty, little flower has been used for hundreds of years to combat stress and encourage calm. So, take a deep breath, drink your flowery tonic, and know that you CAN do this, Mama.
- Red Clover Blossom - for healthy blood flow to your lady bits.
Traditionally, red clover blossom has been used to nourish women’s reproductive organs. Herbalists believe that this is due to increasing blood flow to the area.
- Red Raspberry Leaf - for toning and preparing the uterus.
This herb has a long, illustrious history as a women’s herb that can support reproductive health. (Too bad it doesn’t taste like raspberries though haha.) 5
Happy Milk Lactation Support Tea
Nothing beats holding your baby close and letting your heart melt a little at their adorable nucking noises. That’s why we created a lactation support tea, so you could have more of those moments with your little one.
Happy Milk Lactation Support Tea from Wholesome Story was created with gentle, traditional botanicals that have been used for centuries by women just like you.
We included:
- Blessed Thistle, Fennel Seed, & Anise Seed - for supporting milk production.
Every culture has herbs that are used as galactagogues (herbs to promote milk production), and we included three in our base. Blessed thistle, fennel seed, and anise seed are all traditional milk-production herbs with excellent safety data.6, 7
(If you noticed fenugreek isn’t included, it’s because we learned that fenugreek can cause tummy problems for some mamas and babies, so we opted for a fenugreek-free formula. But, let us know if you’d like us to make products that DO include fenugreek.)
- Ginger - for antioxidant support.
Breastfeeding is tiring…it takes a LOT of energy to make enough milk to keep your baby fed and growing. So, we included ginger to give mama some much-needed support. Not only does ginger taste incredible, but it’s loaded with antioxidants, and it can support a happy belly. You’re amazing, Mama! 8, 9
- Marshmallow Root - for soothing tired tissues.
Upset stomach, sore nipples, traumatized lady bits…postpartum life is hard, ladies! Marshmallow root is known among herbalists for its ability to soothe tired, sore tissues, especially those in the digestive tract. Healthier mamas make for longer, more rewarding breastfeeding experiences. We followed traditional herbalist protocol by including marshmallow root in our lactation tea. 10
- Nettle Leaf - for nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals.
Pregnancy takes it out of you…which can leave your body a little depleted. This depletion can be hard to correct if you’re breastfeeding and therefore giving all your best to Baby. For this reason, Nettle is a time-honored breastfeeding herb. Including vitamin and mineral-rich nettle leaf to provide extra nourishment was a no-brainer for this blend. 6, 7
Tummy Time Digestion Support Tea
We don’t care who you are, we know you have at least occasional tummy problems…because you’re alive.
Whether you’re looking to reduce morning sickness, get help digesting Thanksgiving dinner, or you just want something soothing and delicious to sip, this one’s for you.
We included:
- Peppermint and Spearmint - traditional support for gut spasms.
Mint is important for tummy happiness. Both peppermint and spearmint contain high amounts of carvone, a plant compound that can reduce gut spasms and also to prevent gas and bloating. Uh huh. Good stuff. 11
- Ginger - for nausea control.
Ginger is also super great for your tummy. It’s a great digestive herb that has been used for centuries to relieve nausea. Thank. God. 8, 9
- Anise Seed - for soothing digestive tissues.
This licorice-y flavored seed has been used in many cultures to treat a variety of ailments, but it’s most notably used to aid digestion and soothe angry gut tissues. 12
Our Tummy Time Digestion Support Tea is safe for most women to use during pregnancy! Just be sure to check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s right for you and your baby before enjoying. 13
Delicious Spiced Dandelion Tea
We made this one because it’s tasty…so very tasty. And, it just so happens that this tasty tea is wonderful for digestion and liver health! So, if you want to supplement with something that’s great for your health and also actually tastes good, this one’s for you.
Seriously, so delicious.
We included:
- Roasted Dandelion Root - traditional liver support.
Dandelion? In my food? Yes! Dandelion was an important medicinal herb and green leaf crop in Europe and America for centuries before it fell out of favor. Dandelion root is used in herbal traditions to support liver health, and many cultures also use it as a diuretic. 14, 15
- Cinnamon - for blood sugar balance.
As mentioned above, available research shows cinnamon to be a promising herb for supporting healthy blood sugar levels. 1
- Cardamom - traditional liver and antioxidant support.
Ok, we actually added the cardamom to add a certain je ne sais quoi that we felt was lacking in the formula before we added it. It’s so yummy!
More than flavor though, some research indicates that this antioxidant-packed spice can support liver health too, so it's great alongside the dandelion. 16
- Ginger - anti-nausea and antioxidant properties.
Antioxidant, anti-nausea, and pro-deliciousness. Ginger is a great way to support your overall health and tastebud happiness. 8 ,9
- Star Anise - digestive support.
We said it before and we’ll say it again, anise is a great traditional herb for supporting digestion and soothing the gut. Trust us, your gut loves anise. 12
That’s All for Now
We hope that you’re as excited as we are to incorporate these delicious, nourishing teas into your routine. Pour, steep, sip, repeat. Isn’t tea just lovely?
Questions
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok! Are our teas as delicious and nourishing as we hope? Do you have questions about them? Let us know your thoughts!
In parting, remember that eating healthy, whole foods, and lots of plant foods is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective things we can do to promote good health in our bodies. As with every preventative/restorative measure though, sometimes these changes alone are not enough to help our bodies function the way we want or need them to.
If you are struggling with health problems, please contact your doctor or other healthcare provider such as a Naturopathic Doctor, Dietitian, or Mental Health Professional, to see if they can offer appropriate guidance and care. We at Wholesome Story believe that healthy communities require community effort, so we advise you to keep your healthcare community aware and involved in your journey as you pursue better health.
Let us know what you'd like to read about next time by clicking on the suggestions button below!
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- Shishehgar F, Ramezani Tehrani F, Mirmiran P, Hajian S, Baghestani AR, Moslehi N. Comparison of dietary intake between polycystic ovary syndrome women and controls. Global journal of health science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5064084/#:~:text=The%20results%20demonstrated%20that%20energy,p%3D0.037. Published September 1, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Douglas CC;Norris LE;Oster RA;Darnell BE;Azziz R;Gower BA; Difference in dietary intake between women with polycystic ovary syndrome and healthy controls. Fertility and sterility. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16762348/. Published 2006. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Szczuko M, Kikut J, Szczuko U, et al. Nutrition strategy and life style in polycystic ovary syndrome-narrative review. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308732/. Published July 18, 2021. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Sordia-Hernández LH;Ancer Rodríguez P;Saldivar Rodriguez D;Trejo Guzman S;Servín Zenteno ES;Guerrero González G;Ibarra Patiño R; Effect of a low glycemic diet in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and anovulation - a randomized controlled trial. Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29734548/. Published 2016. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Know Diabetes UK. Glycaemic index | know diabetes. Know Diabetes. https://www.knowdiabetes.org.uk/be-healthier/eat-better/glycaemic-index/. Published 2022. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Paoli A, Mancin L, Giacona MC, Bianco A, Caprio M. Effects of a ketogenic diet in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of translational medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7045520/. Published February 27, 2020. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Gower BA, Chandler-Laney PC, Ovalle F, et al. Favourable metabolic effects of a eucaloric lower-carbohydrate diet in women with PCOS. Clinical endocrinology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111472/. Published October 2013. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Azadi-Yazdi M;Karimi-Zarchi M;Salehi-Abargouei A;Fallahzadeh H;Nadjarzadeh A; Effects of dietary approach to stop hypertension diet on androgens, antioxidant status and body composition in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28466507/. Published 2017. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- O; JDBMWJF. Effects of caloric intake timing on insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinical science (London, England : 1979). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23688334/. Published 2013. Accessed August 31, 2022.
- Henry Ford Health Staff. Is it a food allergy, food sensitivity, food intolerance or celiac disease? Henry Ford LiveWell. https://www.henryford.com/blog/2020/11/is-it-a-food-allergy-food-sensitivity-food-intolerance-or-celiac-disease#:~:text=What%20it%20is%3A%20When%20a,constipation%2C%20diarrhea%20and%20migraine%20headaches. Published 2020. Accessed August 31, 2022.
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