I was super excited last month when Marta of Traditional Medicinals (tea) contacted me to see if I wanted to try their winter wellness kit.

Yes please! I’ve been a fan of their teas for a long time. Way before I knew what nutritional yeast or green smoothies were.

Stay tuned to the end because there is a giveaway. They’ve generously offered to send the same kit to a lucky FYS reader.

Proof. We already had their EveryDay Detox tea in our cabinet from the last time we were sick.

The winter wellness kit includes: Organic Echinacea Plus, Gypsy Cold Care, and Organic Throat Coat.

Some things I noted right away:

• Non-GMO verified
• Sustainability: Cartons are made from 100% recycled waste with at least 55% verified post-consumer waste. 70% of their electricity is from solar panels. The tea bags are made from compostable manila fiber.
• Caffeine-free
• Veg*n friendly (only their syrups contain honey)
• All of their teas are gluten-free with the exception of their PMS tea (contains barley)
• No artificial or natural flavors

First up, Organic Echinacea Plus

Olfactory: The smell absolutely reminded me of lemon-ginger tea, which may be from the lemongrass

Gustatory: Almost like a black tea with that lemon-ginger ‘feel’ again. (Probably the lemon grass)

This is the immune boosting tea. With alkylmaides (immune system stimulators) from the echinacea you may feel a slight tingle on your tongue that subsides – a sign of high quality.

Ingredients: Organic Echinacea purpurea herb, Organic Echinacea purpurea dry extract, Organic Echinacea angustifolia herb, Organic West Indian lemongrass leaf, and Organic spearmint leaf.

Gypsy Cold Care

Olfactory: Cloves and Pepper

Gustatory: A nice light peppermint flavor

Elderflower, one of the main components in Gypsy Cold Care “is used for swollen sinuses (sinusitis), colds, influenza (flu), swine flu, bronchitis, diabetes, and constipation. It is also used to increase urine production (as a diuretic), to increase sweating (as a diaphoretic), and to stop bleeding.” [source]

Ingredients: Organic European elder flower, Organic yarrow flower, Organic peppermint leaf, Organic hyssop herb, Organic rose hip, Organic saigon cinnamon bark, Organic ginger rhizome, safflower petal, Organic clove flower bud, and Organic licorice root dry aqueous extract.

I also wanted to mention a quick fix for when your tea bag doesn’t have the ‘sealing’ staple like mine. Actually, it was the entire box! I opened a lot trying to find one with a staple (oops!). For the fix I just folded it over and put it in one of my loose leaf brewers. Easy peasy. It’s possible the folds would help the bag stay closed during the steep time but I didn’t want to risk it. 🙂

Organic Throat Coat

Olfactory: a little licorice

Gustatory: Subtle licorice and a sweetness that I could taste specifically on the proper spots of the tongue – after looking at the ingredients, I think it was the marshmallow root.

This tea really surprised me. I hate licorice. But in this tea? It made me question everything I know of licorice in my 31 years. It was subtle and combined with the marshmallow root it became a perfectly sweet and comforting tea.

Ingredients: Organic licorice root, Organic slippery elm bark, Organic licorice root dry aqueous extract, Organic marshmallow root, Organic wild cherry bark, Organic bitter fennel fruit, Organic Saigon cinnamon bark, and Organic sweet orange peel.

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I think what most surprised me about ALL of the teas is that they did not taste like ‘sick teas’ (the Detox tea is a ‘sick tea’).

Sick teas are teas I will only drink when I come down with something, because of the firm belief that it will speed my recovery or provide comfort. But I never enjoy the taste or would consider drinking them during periods of health.

These teas however, totally blew me away. I enjoyed every single one, especially the throat coat. They all had nice light flavors, perfect for anytime drinking and especially when you need that extra boost.

I remember being surprised that each of the teas require a steep time of 10-15 minutes but they address that nicely in their FAQs.

This review has been fun, because I already loved their tea but went to lengths to learn more about their company. I’m thrilled with everything I’ve learned and the excitement in which they talk about their company. Which is why I’m doubly excited to share this giveaway for the same winter wellness package. Follow the instructions below to enter and I’ll draw the winner next Friday! (Contest only open to U.S. residents – sorry international friends!)

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