Tisane, or herbal tea, dates back centuries to ancient Egypt and China. With the rise of different varieties and mixtures, herbal tea has become increasing popular in today’s world of tea. With most being naturally caffeine-free, they are widely regarded for their savory notes, pleasant smells, and use in folk medicine.
Iaso tea is one of the many varieties of herbal tea available today. Unlike traditional tea that is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, herbal teas are derived from a mixture of hot water and botanicals. Best known for its potential health benefits, Iaso tea is a newer product manufactured by Total Life Changes (TLC).
Origins of Iaso Tea
Iaso tea is relatively new on the tea scene. The company that manufactures it was established back in 1999 by a man named Jack Fallon. It was not until 2008, when the business was still quite small and being operated out of Jack’s basement, that Iaso tea was marketed.
Labeled as a supplement on the package, Iaso quickly became famous and is known for being a “detox tea.” This tisane quickly exploded in popularity and become Total Life Changes’ best-selling product.
Varieties of Iaso Tea
With a quick trip to the company’s website, several flavors, brewing options, and quantities of this herbal tea can be purchased including:
- Original Flavored Iaso Instant Teas
- Original Flavored Iaso Tea Bags
- Fruit Punch Instant Iaso Tea
- Fruit Punch Iaso Tea Bags
- Raspberry Iaso Instant Tea
- Lemon Iaso Instant Tea
Making a Cup of Iaso Tea
Brewing either the instant tea or original tea bags is easy. Whether you are looking for Iaso that takes just a few steps to enjoy or you want to make it in larger quantities, the process is simple and straightforward.
Instant Iaso
This instant tea can be made either hot or cold. Simply empty one of the pre-measured tea packets into a large drinking bottle and add 16.9 fl oz of water to it. Stir or shake well until everything is dissolved, and enjoy!
Iaso Tea Bags
Unlike the instant tea packets, the tea bags are made for brewing tisane in larger quantities. While the process takes a few hours to complete, there are only a few directions to follow and the gallon that it makes lasts for days in the refrigerator.
- In a large pot on the stove, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add 2 tea bags to the pot and cover.
- Remove the pot from the stove and steep the tea for 4-8 hours, keeping the pot covered the entire time.
- After the steeping is complete, mix in 12 cups of cold water. This tea is now ready to be enjoyed. (Whatever is not consumed should be refrigerated.)
Iaso Ingredients
Depending on which type of Iaso tea you brew will determine what ingredients were used to make it. The instant tea has four ingredients, while the original tea bags are made up of four different ingredients. Either way, this company boasts that its products are 100% organic and GMO free.
While some herbal teas are produced for taste, the main driving force behind Iaso tea is medicinal use. It should be noted that there have not been any studies done to corroborate the usefulness or effectiveness of this tea.
Original Instant Iaso Tea
Like the original, there are several earthy ingredients that make up Iaso instant tea. Some of these ingredients include:
- Chamomile extract- herbalists consider this ingredient useful for managing gut health, menstrual health, and inflammation
- Carica papaya extract- traditional medicine uses this ingredient to help manage cholesterol and weight
- Senna leaf powder- FDA approved, senna is often used as a natural method for relieving constipation
Original Iaso Tea Bags
With nine different ingredients incorporated in Iaso tea bags, many of them are thought to have laxative-like qualities. Some of these ingredients include:
- Malva leaves- herbalists believe these leaves can help manage digestion
- Papaya leaves- traditional medicine regards these leaves as an effective tool for managing one’s metabolism
- Persimmon leaves- high in vitamin C, magnesium, and amino acids, they are thought to help with digestion
- Holy thistle- often used for a handful of remedies, they are thought to help promote healthy digestion
- Ginger- while it has been used for thousands of years by many cultures, it is often used today to help with upset stomachs
- leaves- dating back to ancient Egypt, these leaves are used in today’s traditional herbalism as a remedy for urinary tract health
Appearance & Taste
When it comes to the original Iaso, this yellowish-green colored tea is often described as drinking a glass of water with slight herbal notes. The temperature of the beverage does not seem to make a big difference in the taste; whether hot or cold, it has been described as having a mild and mellow flavor.
Nutritional Values
One serving of Iaso tea, one packet of instant, contains ten calories, zero grams of fat, three grams of carbs, and zero grams of protein. Being that Iaso is an herbal tea, it is caffeine-free.
Potential Side Effects
As with anything that can be consumed, there is always a potential for side effects. Many of the botanicals included in this tea have been used over time to treat and promote a healthy metabolism. With that being the case, there are some side effects that could result including:
- Upset stomach
- Bloating
- Frequent bathroom trips
An Herbal Cup of Tea
Iaso tea, a popular variety of tisane, is marketed as a “detox tea.” Even though the company claims to help with weight loss and appetite control, there is no evidence or research to support such findings.
This herbal tea is filled with nine different botanicals ranging from malva leaves, papaya leaves, persimmon leaves, holy thistle, ginger, and marshmallow leaves. Whether you are looking for a quick single-serving or to make a bigger batch of Iaso brew, Total Life Changes produces an assortment of Iaso tea for your lifestyle.
