After I sniffed all the beautiful boxes (like a dog at baggage claim) I brewed my first pitcher of Mighty Leaf Tea.   I started first with the Calypso Mango Iced Tea — because let’s face it — that’s a fun name and I’m a fun person.   I’ve never actually made iced tea with a tea bag, normally I make it with a can of powder… so I was SHOCKED at the difference in taste and quality and how much better and more flavorful the home brewed Mighty Leaf was over a can of powder.  Huh!  I didn’t even need to add any sugar, it was a naturally just right taste for me without adding it!

I also must admit that I poured a wee cup to taste it HOT instead of iced and it was realllllly good.   I left the rest in the fridge to cool and decided to make a cup of hot tea.  I opened the pretty little package of three bags and chose Orange Dulce.   It was a dark tea with a hint of orange, vanilla and jasmine blossoms.  OMG.  Very. Very. Good.

I have since made pitchers of all the iced tea blends:

o   Ginger Peach Iced Tea:  A blissful and lightly sweet black iced tea infused with sun-swelled peaches and delicate ginger.

o   Calypso Mango Iced Tea:  A sweet and cooling black iced tea with an indulging blend of South Indian black tea leaves, luscious mango, and tropical fruit.

o   Organic Black Iced Tea:  A flavorful black iced tea made of refreshingly rich and smooth South Indian organic black tea leaves hand-picked on the dewy slopes of the Nilgiri Mountains.

o   Sunburst Green Iced Tea:  A cool and vibrant iced green tea that delivers mountain-grown Chinese green tea leaves  brightened with the crisp taste of ripe oranges and sweet citrus. The lowest in caffeine among all four flavors.

I love them all and cannot choose a favorite… but MAYBE YOU CAN!  Mighty Leaf Tea Company is offering one of my readers a Bodum Iced Tea Pitcher and FOUR BOXES of Iced Tea!  (value: $75)  *This would also be an AWESOME gift for someone — the holidays are coming!

TO WIN:

Leave a comment about which tea you would love to try (you’re going to get all 4 if you win anyhow)

Extra entries (Must leave a separate comment here for each)

(1) Follow Ma Vie Folle on Facebook
(1) Follow Ma Vie Folle on Google Friend Connect
(1) Follow MIGHTY LEAF Tea on Facebook
(1) Follow MIGHTY LEAF on Twitter @mightyleaf

Winner of the pitcher and 4 boxes of Mighty Leaf Iced Tea (value $75.) will be randomly chosen from among all eligible entries on November 1, 2011.  (oooo!  11-1-11 — will it be your lucky day??)  I received a variety of teas of taste in order to write this review.

If you can’t wait and just want to go order some tea, here’s a coupon code for 15% off:  summertea15

My mom got me this yummmmy new tea for Christmas.  It’s so pretty and warm and scrumptious that I just had to give it some props.    I just love a good tea!  Especially in my favorite mug that Shane got me a couple years back….oh, he knows me so well *wink*

It’s vanilla almond and it’s so beautifully blended..the vanilla is not over powering, it’s just right.  Hard to find one like that.  And just a hint of almond.  Mmmmm.

I did find this tea company online if your ever searching for a great tea you should check them out.   I’m not getting compensated for this post I just really dig the tea.

Oh, and thanks mom!

photo taken from sciencedaily.com

Also known by: milk vetch, huang qi, huang ch’, radix astragali, goat’s horn, green dragon, locoweed

Scientific/medical name: Astragalus membranaceus

For more than 2,000 years, Chinese herbalists recommend astragalus root to build energy and the immune system. The most commonly used herb in China today, it is said that astragalus helps to resist diverse diseases including cancer, heart disease, liver and kidney problems, and infections.  Studies by the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute as well as 5 other cancer institutes…indicate that astragalus actually helps build the immune system during chemotherapy.   (It is not a CURE for cancer!   It has NOT been found to attack cancer cells!)

What is is commonly used for?

Strengthens the immune system
Improves digestion
Gives you energy and endurance
It’s an antibacterial
Improves white blood count
Prevention of heart disease
Treatment of fibromyalgia
Treatment of diabetes
Stimulates the spleen, liver urinary and circulatory systems
Lowers blood sugar and blood pressure
Treatment of arthritis

Is there evidence that it works?

YES!  And…it’s scientific evidence! Astragalus enhances the immune system and fights diseases, including cancer and heart disease, and colds and flu!   Researchers at The  Anderson Cancer Center (U of TX) found that astragalus extract enhanced the cell-destroying ability of the conventional immunotherapy treatment interleukin-2 by improving the immune system’s response. They also tested it in test tubes, and found that it partly restored the immune function of cells.  It also stimulates the production of interferons, (produced by the body as part of the normal defense mechanism) against colds, sinusitis, flu, upper respiratory and viral infections.

In 2006 there was a review of the most reliable studies of the root pertaining to lung cancers.   Evidence was found that astragalus enhances the effects of some chemotherapy drugs and boosted the immune system in cancer patients.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

(from the American Cancer Society):
Astragalus is generally considered safe. Reported side effects include abdominal bloating, loose stools, low blood pressure, and dehydration. People with autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) or people taking immune suppressing medicines (such as corticosteroids or cyclosporin) should talk to their doctors before taking this herb. There is some concern that astragalus might interfere with blood clotting, so some doctors recommend it should not be taken before surgery or in people taking aspirin-like drugs or blood-thinning medicines. It may also affect blood pressure in some, so those taking blood pressure medicines may need to be monitored by their physicians. There have also been reports of lowered blood sugar, which could be dangerous for those with diabetes or hypoglycemia.

Don’t use if you have an immune system disease like MS, Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis or anything considered an autoimmune disease.

Don’t use if you are pregnant or nursing.
Always check with your doctor before using herbs/supplements and with your pharmacist if you are taking any medications.

How can you take it?

You can boil four ounces of the whole root in a quart of water for 10 minutes, let steep, strain and drink as tea.  (2-4 cups a day) *don’t take the tea if you have a fever.

Swallow it in pill form available at your local health food store.