Coffee is not the only source of caffeine and is not the best remedy when it comes to keeping you awake during those lazy morning hours. Here are 10 great herbal alternatives to your morning coffee.
Matcha Tea
Matcha is not a new beverage, but it’s still one of the trendiest coffee alternatives that will keep you awake and healthy. Many things can be said about its detoxifying properties, but what we like about matcha most of all is that it’s packed with caffeine, L-Theanine, and can be mixed into a mouth-watering energizing latte that will give you the necessary early morning boost.
Licorice Tea
This sweet-tasting drink has zero caffeine, but it will still keep you wide awake because its main effect is on the adrenal glands. It’s a kind of adrenal tonic that naturally boosts your energy levels without any additives. Dieticians also believe that it can help you shed some pounds. What’s not to like?
Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is strong, with prominent taste, and will give you more energy than coffee ever could! Prepare it the traditional way in a calabash gourd with a metal straw and you’ll feel its amazing effect immediately! Not only is Yerba Mate packed with antioxidants, but it is also incredibly nutritious, improves blood flow, and will give you a dose of vitamins – something coffee never could do!
Chicory Tea
Chicory tea tastes so much like coffee that it’s usually even called ‘chicory coffee’. But don’t get deceived by the name – chicory tea has nothing to do with coffee beans and is made from Cichorium intybus plant. While chicory tea looks and tastes like coffee, it has much more benefits: it protects the liver, provides you with soluble fibre, prevents inflammation, and improves digestion.
Ginseng Tea
This tea is prepared from the bitterish ginseng root that has more health benefits than all the teas on this list combined. We are not exaggerating! Ginseng has been known in China for hundreds if not thousands of years. It improves the immune system, fights fatigue, boosts energy levels, enhances brain function, reduces stress, and can even be used to treat diabetes. On its own ginseng tea might be too strong, so go ahead and add a teaspoon of natural honey to make it taste truly delicious.
Masala Tea
Also known as masala chai, this sweet milky drink is packed with yummy spices that make it both delicious and incredibly healthy. This may not be our number one choice for early mornings, but if you are craving something that will give you a boost in the afternoon, this drink is pure perfection. Masala chai is prepared with rich black tea, milk, and a bunch of spices like cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, and ginger. It’s also great to keep warm in colder weather.
Reishi Mushroom Tea
If you’re comfortable with devouring your mushrooms in a form other than fried in an omelette or on top of a pizza, then go ahead and try one of the most ancient Chinese medicinal teas prepared from Reishi mushrooms. Add some green tea, ginger, or honey to make the taste more flavourful. This tea will do wonders for your body! But keep it in mind that it won’t provide you with the caffeine boost.
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is spicy and will warm you up from the first sip you take. This will give your digestive system the necessary boost early in the morning, especially if you pair ginger with a few slices of lemon. Ginger tea has no caffeine whatsoever, yet it will still give your body the wakeup call it needs so badly after all those hours of sleep.
Green Tea
Green tea is probably the best alternative to your morning cup of joe. It has just as much caffeine, but won’t make you experience the nasty ‘jitters’ afterwards. It’s good for your mind, body, and soul! Green tea provides you with extra antioxidants (catechins) that fight off diseases and boost your immune system. Make sure you invest in high quality green tea, making sure it has all the health benefits.
Puer Tea
Puer tea, coming for the Yunnan province in China, is probably the strongest tea in the world. Puer usually comes in a form of a pressed disc and you need to take parts from it to brew in hot water until you get the dark and flavourful drink. There are numerous types of Puer teas – some are lighter, others are stronger, but we can assure you that coffee has nothing on this herbal beverage! It’s the one morning drink that will get you an instant energy boost along with some weight loss properties.
