CONTRAINDICATIONS!
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~ Earlene Grey
Tea is to the body as music is to the soul
The term "indication" refers to a valid medical reason to use a specific treatment, medication, or procedure because it is expected to ease the symptom(s) or improve the condition(s) the person presents with. A "contraindication" then, is a medical reason that advises against using certain treatments based on the symptoms and conditions the person is experiencing.
Many herbs are considered safe for consumptions, and indeed, several of the herbs you will find in Wren's Blends Teas are familiar culinary herbs, including sage, rosemary, and cinnamon. But understanding the mechanism(s) of action is critical before adding things to your personal care routine.
Contraindications are important because understanding how the plants impact our physiology can help reduce the risk of symptom flares for people with life-altering conditions (like me). Knowing what the contraindications are can also help reduce the likelihood of experiencing more severe side effects from interactions with medication.
Each tea blend is different, so the various flavors we offer will have different contraindications. The product descriptions in our online shop will list all the components and the contraindications. And the Features and Flavor Profiles (below) offer additional details about the plant families to help identify potential allergen risks. We strongly encourage the following groups of lovely tea-drinkers to do further research and speak with a trusted doctor, pharmacist, or herbalist if you have any concerns about the ingredients:
People with allergies to the listed plants or plant families (found under "Features and Flavor Profiles")
People who are pregnant, working to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
People taking medications regularly, especially daily medications for regulating blood pressure, blood sugar, and for anxiety or sleep
At Wren's Blends LLC, we take the utmost care in preparing and blending our teas. While we maintain a clean and organized workspace, and ensure that only one blend is worked with at a time, we want to inform our customers that all of our teas are weighed, measured, and mixed in the same kitchen. While we take precautions to limit the risk of cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that residual herbs from one blend will not mix with others.
Your mental and physical health, and your ability to enjoy herbal teas (that won't hurt your body), are important to us. If you have specific allergies or sensitivities, please reach out to us at info@wrensblends.com for more detailed information about our ingredients and potential herbal substitutions.
Helpful suggestions to get the most out of every brew.
Brewing Guide
Recommended steep times vary based on the type of plant and what section of the plant is used. The aerial (above the ground) parts of many herbs and flowers generally require less time to steep than more robust parts, such as bark or roots. While most of our teas can be steeped longer than the times recommended below, green tea may become bitter if the water is too hot (above 180 F), or if it is steeped too long. We recommend steeping the Green Tea Blend and the Preparing For Spell Work no longer than 4 minutes.
While not required, it is advised to cover the cup with a lid or saucer while your tea is steeping. This helps maintain higher temperatures, which encourages the release of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and keeps more of those beneficial compounds in your cup. We encourage you to try different brew strengths by adjusting the amount of water you use, the temperature of your water, and/or the length of your steep time.
Connecting With Ancestors: 5-8 min
Contains: Calendula, Mugwort, Blue Lotus, Plantain Leaf, Shavegrass, Aerial Dandelion, Sage, Mullein, and Rosemary
Cough & Throat Soothe: 10-12 min
Contains: Slippery Elm Bark, Mullein, Plantain Leaf, Wild Cherry Bark, and Marshmallow Root
Digestive Aid: 8-10 min
Contains: Ginger Root, Chamomile, Plantain Leaf, Dried Lemon Slices, Fennel Seed, Yarrow, and Marshmallow Root
Green Tea Blend: 2-4 min
Contains: Green Tea, Ginger Root, Dried Lemon Peel, Cinnamon Bark, and Dried Cloves
Preparing For Spell Work: 2-4 min
Contains: Green Tea, Mugwort, Chamomile, Cinnamon Bark, Sage, and Lavender
Spiced Apple Rooibos: 5-8 min
Contains: Red Rooibos, Apple Chips, Spice Blend, Dried Lemon Peel, and Calendula
Wind Down With Mint: 8-10 min
Contains: Peppermint, Skullcap, Tulsi, and Catnip
Wind Down Without Mint: 8-10 min
Contains: Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Passion Flower, and Valerian Root
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of my tea bags are smaller than others. Did I get short-changed?
Features and Flavor Profiles
Aerial Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale):
Blue Lotus (Nymphaea Caerulea):
Calendula (Calendula Officinalis):
Catnip (Nepeta Cataria):
Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla):
Fennel Seed (Foeniculum Vulgare):
Ginger Root (Zingiber Officinale):
Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis):
Shavegrass / Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense):
Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia):
Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis):
Marshmallow Root (Althaea Officinalis):
Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris):
Mullein Leaf (Verbascum Thapsus):
Passion Flower (Passiflora):
Peppermint (Mentha Piperita):
Plantain (Plantago Major):
Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis):
Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus):
Sage (Salvia Officinalis):
Skullcap (Scutellaria Lateriflora):
Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus Rubra):
Tulsi / Holy Basil (Ocimum Tenuiflorum):
Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis):
Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus Avium):
Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium):
Apple Chips (Malus Domestica Granny Smith):
Cinnamon Stick (Cinnamomum Verum):
Dried Cloves (Syzygium Aromaticum):
Cardamom Pods (Elettaria Cardamomum):
Dried Lemon / Lemon Peel (Citrus x Limon):