AWAKEN

The bright, tangy, and sweet flavors of citrus fruits are just what the body needs this time of year. This sun-colored produce can also help boost your mood until spring by fueling you from the inside out.

Grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, lemons, and limes are all at their peak this month. These fruits deliver a high dose of vitamin C, which can help support the immune system. But that’s not all.

Citrus also contains B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and copper.^[1] In addition, they are rich in plant compounds that work synergistically to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-allergy properties along with both cardiovascular protection and neuroprotective effects.

Citrus goes great in salads, dressings, juices, and smoothies, or makes a delicious snack. Try some slices of orange or clementine with a few squares of dark chocolate as a simple dessert.

With so many varieties to choose from, here are a few of our favorites.

NURTURE

February is a great time to indulge in comforting activities. It’s a time to relax, enjoy cups of tea, and try out new recipes.

One of the most nourishing beverages this season is warm tea. Drinking tea is another way to consume plant compounds called polyphenols, which are antioxidants also found in fruit and vegetable juices.

Not only is drinking tea relaxing, but it also can help with cognitive function. One study found a positive correlation to tea drinking and brain structure, suggesting a protective effect on age-related decline.^[4]

You can find both caffeinated and herbal teas. Caffeinated teas come in different colors and are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, such as black, green, oolong, and white teas. The colors come from how long the leaves of the plant oxidize. The longer they oxidize, the darker they become. In terms of caffeine, black and oolong have the most, while green and white have less.^[5]

JUICE + TEAS

Adding some warm tea to a juice is a great way to consume more plants and polyphenols in the wintertime. Try white or green tea with green juice, or a black tea mixed with cherry or pomegranate juice.

Many natural herbal teas are caffeine-free. They come from a variety of different plants and have different health benefits. You can find these teas bagged at a grocery or health food store, or sold as loose herbs either online or at a specialty store. You can mix them in juices or smoothies, warm or cold.

CHAMOMILE

This plant comes from the Asteraceae, or daisy, family and has been used traditionally as a medicinal plant with healing properties. It contains a variety of antioxidants including flavonoids, terpenes, and polyphenols.^[6] This tea is great to drink before bed to help induce better sleep, and is often used to ease an upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, insomnia, and anxiety.^[7] Pair with apple or pear-based juices, such as apple, lemon, and ginger juice.

CHAMOMILE + CITRUS SIP

Lemon combines with carrots, fennel, apple, and chamomile tea for a nurturing drink that is sure to help you feel calm and cozy in winter months and beyond. Think of it like a winter lemonade.

OTHER JUICE + TEA PAIRINGS TO TRY

CCF

Cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds make CCF tea, which in Ayurveda is known to aid in the absorption of nutrients, calm the gut in general, and help stimulate the lymphatic system. You can find this tea premixed or make it yourself by mixing ½ teaspoon of cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds with about 4 cups of hot water. Allow the tea to simmer for 20 minutes, then strain out the seeds, and enjoy. Pair with a fennel juice, such as cucumber, fennel, and ginger juice.

GINGER

While ginger adds a bit of spice to juices, it’s also a great root for making tea. It’s perfect to warm you up during colder temps or help with tummy troubles. Research suggests that ginger can help reduce post-chemotherapy nausea in those with cancer.^[8] Pair with citrus or carrot juice, such as apple, carrot, and beet juice. 

HIBISCUS

This red flower is cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions, including Egypt, Mexico, and China. It contains cyanidin, a naturally occurring pigment also found in cranberries and raspberries. Studies have found that hibiscus can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.^[9] Pair with a tropical juice, such as cranberry, pineapple, and lime juice.

PEPPERMINT

Another great tea to support digestion is peppermint, a hybrid of water mint and spearmint. It contains menthol, which is known to help soothe an upset stomach or help with motion sickness. Pair with a green juice, such as cucumber, celery, and apple.

ROOIBOS

Also known as red tea or red bush tea, Rooibos comes from a South African shrub called Aspalathus linearis. This herbal tea is full of antioxidants including aspalathin and quercetin.^[10] Research has also found it may help lower blood pressure.^[11] Pair with a citrus juice, such as orange, carrot, and lemon juice.

REVIVE

To revive means return or restore to life, often from an inactive or unused state. In the winter, it’s easy to look out into the garden or at a park and see formerly green plants with brown, shriveled leaves. It looks like they are gone. But that’s only what you can see above the surface. In the ground, the plant is still alive and resting until the temps warm up.

You may also feel lethargic or low energy in the colder, winter months and wonder how you can revive yourself a bit. Minerals are a great way to help boost your immune system and help counter the winter blues.

To revive means return or restore to life, often from an inactive or unused state. In the winter, it’s easy to look out into the garden or at a park and see formerly green plants with brown, shriveled leaves. It looks like they are gone. But that’s only what you can see above the surface. In the ground, the plant is still alive and resting until the temps warm up.

MAKE YOUR OWN MINERAL DRINK

Want a natural way to add more minerals to your day? Try this drink that combines juices with a still or sparkling mineral water.