Dr Kottas Red Vine Leaves Herbal Tea, 20 ST

Dr Kottas’ Red Vine Leaf Tea with Peppermint supports the veins and circulation. Peppermint has a cooling effect, whilst hibiscus is refreshing. Liquorice root rounds off the tea with its pleasant flavour.

Hibiscus (Flos Hibisci)

• Hibiscus (also known as red mallow or karkade) is an annual plant that grows up to 5 m tall. The calyxes and outer calyxes, harvested at fruiting time and dried, are used.
• Effect: Hibiscus flowers have a characteristic, pleasantly tart flavour; drinks made from them are thirst-quenching and have an intense red colour. No specific medicinal properties are known; in folk medicine, red mallow is used to treat colds and circulatory problems, as well as a mild laxative.

Peppermint (Folium Menthae piperita)

• Peppermint is a naturally occurring hybrid of two mint species (M. spicata and M. aquatica). It is sterile, meaning it cannot reproduce naturally. It was first discovered in England in 1696 in a field of spearmint and has been cultivated from seedlings ever since. It grows up to 90 cm tall and contains essential oil. The leaves give off a characteristic scent when crushed.
• Effects: The main active ingredient in peppermint is essential oil, particularly menthol. Peppermint leaves are used to treat colds and headaches; they also relieve cramp-like symptoms in the gallbladder area and the gastrointestinal tract.

Red vine leaves (Folium Vitis viniferae)

• The grapevine is one of the oldest cultivated plants, known to and cultivated by the Egyptians, Babylonians and Indians as early as 3,500 BC. The ancient Greeks and Romans also practised viticulture. Due to the wide variety of climatic zones and locations, countless grape varieties developed in Europe; these were further refined through breeding programmes and are used to classify the vines and the wines produced from them. The grapevine is a climbing plant that can reach a height of between 2 and 10 metres. The leaves are used for medicinal purposes
• Effect: It was common practice amongst French winegrowers to collect the red vine leaves, which accumulate in large quantities during the grape harvest, and to use them to make infusions and poultices. The infusions were bottled and taken regularly in small quantities. The paste made from vine leaves was used for the topical treatment of swollen, painful legs – with great success. This is due to the compounds found in red vine leaves (flavonoids, polyphenols, procyanidins, etc.), which have decongestant, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Liquorice (Radix Liquiritiae)

• Liquorice is a woody, perennial herb that grows up to 2 m tall. It has an extensive root system with a taproot. The bluish to pale violet papilionaceous flowers are arranged in spike-like, upright inflorescences. For medicinal purposes, the lateral roots, which are harvested and dried from late autumn to spring, are used.
• Effects: Glycyrrhizin, which is found in liquorice root, has cough-suppressant, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Furthermore, it inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi and viruses; consequently, liquorice root can also be used to treat coughs and inflammation of the mouth and throat.

Dosage form

Tea bags

Directions for use

• Pour boiling water over 1 tea bag per cup (125 ml), cover and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Then squeeze out the tea bag and drink the tea lukewarm or cold, ideally with a splash of lemon, in small sips. 3–4 cups daily.
• Tip: Hot showers, saunas and prolonged sunbathing should be avoided if you have weak veins. We recommend rinsing your legs with cold water, wearing compression stockings and doing regular leg exercises.
• Notes: Contains liquorice – if you have high blood pressure, you should avoid excessive consumption of this product.

Ingredients

Ingredients: Red vine leaves (Vitis viniferae folium)*, hibiscus flowers (Hibisci flos)*, peppermint leaves (Menthae piperitae folium)*, liquorice root (Liquiritiae radix)*. *from certified organic farming.