Mamaki Tea is from the Mamaki plant that is only found in Hawaii. Mamaki comes from the nettle family, a shrub that has dark green leaves and red veins.
What is Mamaki used for? In Hawaii, it has traditionally been used for centuries as a tea served in ceremonies and for health benefits. What makes it known in modern times are the health benefits of Mamaki Tea, along with being caffeine-free. It has a soothing and refreshing taste similar to green tea or hibiscus tea.
Health Benefits of Mamaki Tea
Mamaki tea tastes delicate and refreshing, which is perfect for your daily consumption. It also has a lot of health benefits that make it the perfect tea for you. The health benefits of Mamaki tea are listed below:
Mamaki Tea Is High in Antioxidants
- Mamaki tea is composed of 3 primary antioxidants: catechins, chlorogenic acid, and rutin.
- Catechins prevent cellular damage. Foods that are rich in catechins are also known to prevent chronic diseases.
- Chlorogenic acid helps your stomach and digestion. It is known to lower blood pressure and sugar levels. Chlorogenic acid is also found in root vegetables, like carrots and turnips. It is also found in coffee.
- Rutin is known for strengthening blood vessels and improving blood circulation. It is also found in tomatoes and citrus. Rutin is known as an effective antioxidant in controlling body weight. A study was done to see the levels of the antioxidants in Mamaki Tea, finding the levels of antioxidants present in Mamaki Tea and its health benefits are similar to, or even better than, Green tea.
Mamaki Tea Reduces the Risk of Cancer
- Mamaki Tea can reduce your risk of cancer, though it can’t be said it can prevent cancer entirely. It has high levels of antioxidants and other nutrients. See this study that was done to investigate and promote Mamaki tea’s medicinal use and health benefits.
- Mamaki tea has one of the highest levels of antioxidants from other vegetables and teas, like oolong, which can reduce your risk of several cancers, like breast and lung cancer.
Mamaki Tea Can Improve Brain Health
- Mamaki is good for our brains. The antioxidants, catechin, and rutin improve focus and relieve stress. The other healthy brain benefits of Mamaki are that it prevents cell damage and stimulates brain activity.
- The antioxidant catechins are what make Mamaki Tea good for the brain, along with other minerals like calcium.
- Chlorogenic acid improves brain function. It is also present in coffee, but unlike regular coffee, Mamaki Tea is caffeine-free.
Mamaki Tea Can Improve Digestive Health
- Mamaki is good for your digestive health. Local Hawaiian herbal practitioners use Mamaki tea to aid indigestion, constipation, gas, and even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- It is rich in chlorogenic acid, which is also found in many root vegetables that help soothe stomach problems.
Mamaki Tea Detoxifies Your Body
- Mamaki Tea can detoxify your body. Its high levels of antioxidants are what help and promote the health of your liver. Another believed medicinal use of Mamaki Teas is blood purification or “cleansing” your blood because it contains catechins and chlorogenic acid.
- Native Hawaiians believe that the usage of Mamaki tea detoxifies your body.
Mamaki Tea Is High in Minerals
- The health benefits of Mamaki Tea are also due to the presence of minerals. According to a study from Hawaii, Mamaki contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, and copper.
- Calcium makes your bones healthy and is important in keeping your blood pressure under control.
- Magnesium helps in raising energy levels and making bones healthy.
- Mamaki Tea has iron, which is important for the blood.
- Potassium helps muscles relax and strengthens them.
- Zinc helps in regulating and make the immune system healthy. It is also anti-inflammatory.
- Copper helps in boosting energy and maintain a healthy immune system.
Side Effects of Mamaki Tea
We have talked about the health benefits of Mamaki Tea, but now let’s talk about Mamaki tea’s side effects.
Mamaki Tea Helps in Weight Loss
- The regular consumption of Mamaki Tea helps in weight loss. It is rich in catechins, which boost your stomach health. This promotes faster breakdowns of fats and can increase your metabolism.
- Pairing Mamaki tea with regular exercise will promote weight loss. Mamaki tea is also perfect for exercising because it gives you energy and stimulates the brain to make you feel more productive and confident.
Mamaki Tea Can Help With Depression
- Mamaki tea’s medicinal uses can also help with depression. Local Hawaiians claim that Mamaki Tea can soothe the nervous system. This helps the drinkers relieve stress, relieve tension, and helps with irritability.
Mamaki Tea Can Relieve PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
- Mamaki tea is rich with soothing benefits. This helps in stimulating the brain and helps in regulating mood and stress. Some claim this helps alleviate symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome).
- Mamaki Tea can also improve irregular periods, and all of the gentle and subtle effects help you feel more confident and productive.
Mamaki Tea Helps In Healing Wounds
- Mamaki tea is good for healing wounds. It contains zinc that promotes a healthy nervous system and accelerates the healing of wounds. Zinc is also anti-inflammatory and makes wounds heal faster.
Mamaki Tea Can Be Used as a Natural Laxative
- Mamaki Tea relaxes tense muscles. It was traditionally used to help in giving birth. Today, Mamaki tea can be used as a natural and mild laxative.
Mamaki Tea Is a Caffeine-Free Stimulant
- Mamaki tea is a great brain stimulant. It has catechins that boost your brain activity without caffeine. This is great for people who have sensitivity to caffeine or want to stay away from the side effects of caffeine.
- Mamaki tea is rich in antioxidant catechins that stimulate the brain and relieve stress and fatigue.
FAQs
When Should I Drink Mamaki Tea?
Mamaki tea can be drunk at any time of the day! You can enjoy a hot cup in the morning to jump-start your day. You can also enjoy it at the end of the day to relieve stress and if your brain needs a boost. A cup of Mamaki tea can stimulate your brain.
How Much Mamaki Tea Should I Drink?
While there are no known bad side effects of Mamaki tea, three cups are the recommended limit. Mamaki is known as a mild laxative and also a diuretic, so if you plan to drink more than three, it is recommended to drink more water, as well.
What Does Mamaki Tea Taste Like?
Mamaki tea is known for its delicate and light taste. It has a nutty flavor with earthy tones. The taste of Mamaki tea is close to green tea, hibiscus tea, or aloe vera water.
Is Mamaki Tea Safe?
Yes, Mamaki tea is healthy, caffeine-free, and safe to consume. If you have health conditions and are currently taking medications, we advise you to check the compatibility of Mamaki tea with your doctor.
Does Mamaki Tea Lower Blood Pressure?
Yes, Mamaki tea contains minerals and antioxidants that help lower blood pressure. Mamaki is rich in catechu and calcium, which help regulate blood pressure and support muscle function.
Is Mamaki Tea Caffeine-Free?
Yes, Mamaki tea is caffeine-free, which makes it a great herbal tea for those who want to reduce or remove caffeine from their lives. It also has a soothing and refreshing taste.
How Do You Use Mamaki Tea Leaves?
You can use Mamaki tea like other herbal teas – steep the dry crushed Mamaki leaves in hot water for around two to five minutes. The length depends on how strong or light you want your tea. Steep the Mamaki Leaves longer for a bolder and stronger flavor, or shorter for a more lighter and delicate flavor.
Conclusion
Mamaki tea is a powerful superfood that you should try. It has a lot of benefits – from reducing the risk of cancers to helping boost your metabolism. Keep in mind that the claims and benefits above are from Hawaii herbal practitioners. There is no statement from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) about its safety and other possible side effects. Talk to your doctor about how Mamaki tea can interact with your health conditions and current medications.
Mamaki tea is truly a delicious and caffeine-free superfood you need to incorporate into your daily life. Enjoy it hot or iced!
