Which functional tea should you choose?

Which functional tea should you choose?

The wellness world loves a good buzzword. Adaptogenic? Functional? And what about those obscure ingredients – what does Gotu Kola actually do? Will ashwagandha really help me? It can feel overwhelming to cut through the noise and find a product that genuinely benefits you.

Our functional teas harness the power of natural herbs and botanicals that have been trusted across cultures and centuries to soothe, unwind, rebalance, and restore. But before we dive into blends and benefits, let’s walk it back a few steps and start with the most important part: you.

How do you want to feel? What are you currently experiencing that you’d rather not be? Whether you’re looking for calm in a chaotic season, support for better sleep, or a natural boost to tackle your day, the right tea can be a simple, grounding step toward well-being. Let’s explore how to find your perfect functional (which simply means crafted with ingredients designed to benefit you) tea,  starting with what matters most — your needs and your body’s natural rhythms.

I want to sleep better… 

You’re not alone as many as 1 in 3 adults have reported not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Sleep is crucial for physical and mental health, supporting immune function, memory, and mood.

Tea: The Sleepy Mind  | Cherry Rest & Restore 

The Sleepy Mind is a caffeine-free blend of green rooibos with fenugreek, dandelion root, and lavender. This calming infusion is ideal for winding down in the evening. The earthy fenugreek, fire element roasted dandelion root, and soothing lavender work together to create a cup perfect for a restful night. Cherry Rest & Restore is another herbal infusion, it features calming ashwagandha, elderflower petals, and cranberry pieces, with a sweet cherry marzipan flavour. Ashwagandha is known for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body manage stress and promote relaxation. Adaptogens are a natural chemical that support the body’s stress-response systems, including the adrenal glands and nervous system.

🌙 Thrive in 3 routine – Bedtime tea & relaxation ritual…

Brew with Intention

• As you prepare your tea, take a moment to breathe deeply.
• Inhale the calming aromas—and set an intention: “I am winding down. My body is preparing for rest.”

Sip Mindfully

• Find a cosy spot and hold your warm cup.
• Take slow, mindful sips, focusing on the flavours and warmth.
• Let go of the day’s stress with each exhale

Gentle Release

• Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and gently roll your shoulders.
• Inhale deeply for 4 counts, hold for 4, and exhale for 6.
• Imagine the tension melting away with each breath.

I want to feel more energised…

Tea: The Energised Mind | Matcha | Milk Oolong

The Energised Mind Tea is a Chinese green tea blend with pear, rosehip, Schizandra berries, jasmine blossom, and orange peel to boost your zest for life. The natural caffeine content in green tea, combined with the antioxidant power of Schizandra berries, can provide a steady lift without the jitters. Swap your morning coffee for matcha – the L-theanine naturally present in matcha (all tea actually) balances out the caffeine, providing a calm, focused energy that lasts longer and you stops those dreaded caffeine crashes. Unlike coffee, matcha’s caffeine is absorbed more gradually in the gut, giving you a sustained gentler energy release. Oolongs, particularly roasted varieties like Milk Oolong, are a fantastic source of caffeine with a smooth, creamy texture. The partially fermented nature of oolong tea supports metabolism and boosts energy levels without overstimulating your system.

🌱 Thrive in 3 routine for an energised start to the day…

Finish your morning cuppa and adopt the warrior (Virabhadrasana) poses, it opens & expands the chest and focuses your internal energy forward.

Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)

• Start in a standing position and step one foot back, keeping your front knee bent at 90 degrees.
• Reach your arms overhead, keeping your shoulders relaxed.
• Engage your core, press through the back heel, and focus your gaze forward to build concentration and inner strength.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

• From Warrior I, open your hips and shoulders to face the side of your mat, extending your arms parallel to the floor.
• Keep your legs strong and your gaze focused over your front hand.
• This pose helps you feel grounded while directing energy outward, fostering strength and focus.
• Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.

I’m prioritising a healthy gut…

The gut is so important! A healthy gut can support digestion, ensuring your body absorbs essential nutrients for energy and well-being. It can also boosts immunity, with 70% of your immune system residing in the gut, and can helps regulate mood by producing serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone.

Tea: Ginger Gut Balance | Pu’Erh | Fermented Korean Jeju

Ginger Gut Balance is an Earth Element black tea with juicy peach, earthy turmeric, and warming ginger, creating a flavourful and aromatic experience. Crafted with botanicals known for their digestive benefits, this functional tea supports gut health. Pu’erh tea is also known for supporting gut health due to its unique fermentation process, which creates beneficial probiotics and enzymes that aid digestion. It can help promote healthy gut bacteria, improve digestion, and reduce bloating. Fermented Korean Jeju is delicacy tea from the volcanic island of Jeju. Produced like a black tea, however, shortly before the end of the drying process, the fermentation process is started again, following the same fermentation process of a Pu’Erh tea imparting that distinctive, rich and earthy undertone.

🧘Thrive in 3 routine to relax your digestive system…

Stress and the gut are deeply interconnected through the gut-brain axis, which involves the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. When you’re stressed, your body activates the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight mode), which can slow digestion and disrupt gut motility. The vagus nerve is a powerhouse of the autonomic nervous system, especially within the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode) It’s the longest cranial nerve and plays a critical role in regulating digestion (and much more)

You can activate the vagus nerve simply by humming!

• Find a comfortable seated position with your spine tall and shoulders relaxed. Close your eyes if it feels safe, and take a few deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
• Now, take a deep inhale and, as you exhale, hum a sound like “mmmm” or “OM,” feeling the vibration in your chest, throat, and head. The vibrations stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs near your vocal cords and connects to your parasympathetic nervous system.
• Continue this for a few minutes, focusing on the soothing sensation of the hum and the calming effect on your body.

I want to be more focused & present… 

Most of us lead busy lives, our days packed with meetings, notifications, and endless to-do lists. Whatever your schedule looks like, we can all benefit from being more focused and productive with the time we have. When we’re fully present, we work more efficiently and enjoy our free time more deeply—whether it’s connecting with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or simply unwinding. After all, it’s not just about getting more done—it’s about making the moments that matter truly count.

Tea: The Focused Mind | Silver Needle | The Contented Mind

The Focused Mind tea is a Sri Lankan black tea blended in harmony with the five elements to help rebalance the fire element and aid focus, cognitive function & vitality. The fire element Ginkgo Biloba and Gotu Kola herbs work together and have been reported to enhance energy and increase blood flow to the brain. The supporting wood element lemon balm and apple balance the controlling water Ashwagandha which is commonly thought of as an energy-builder.

Silver Needle white tea can promotes focus with its gentle, uplifting energy and high antioxidants from minimal processing. Its long steeping time offers a perfect moment for mindfulness or a short meditation, encouraging presence and calm. With its delicate flavour and smooth, natural boost, it supports clarity without the jitters.

The Contented Mind Tea features Chinese Ti Guan Yin Oolong with a hint of coconut and sunflower petals is blended with some controlling wood element green tea along with lime leaves and pineapple pieces. Fire element red Goji Berries support this rebalancing earth blend to assist you to unwind and uplift.

🌿 Thrive in 3 routine to promote focus & presence…

5-Minute Meditation…

• Take a comfortable seat or lie down, and gently close your eyes. Let your hands rest softly on your lap or by your sides. Take a deep breath in through your nose… and slowly exhale through your mouth. Let’s do that twice more—inhale deeply… and exhale completely. One more time… in… and out.
• Breath Awareness – Now, allow your breath to settle into its natural rhythm. Notice the sensation of the air as it enters and leaves your body. Feel the coolness as you inhale… and the warmth as you exhale. With each breath, feel yourself becoming more anchored in this moment.
• Body Awareness –  Gently bring your awareness to your body. Notice any sensations—perhaps the feeling of your feet on the floor or the support beneath you. If you notice any tension, acknowledge it without judgment. Simply soften, release, and let it go with your exhale.
• Anchoring in the Present – Now, shift your attention to the sounds around you. Notice them without labelling—just sounds, part of this moment. Bring your focus back to your breath, using it as your anchor. If your mind starts to wander, that’s okay—just gently guide your attention back to the rise and fall of your breath.
• Release – With your next inhale, breathe in a sense of clarity and focus. As you exhale, release any lingering tension. Slowly wiggle your fingers and toes. When you feel ready, open your eyes, carrying this calm awareness with you into the rest of your day.

You are here. You are present. You are ready. 🌿✨