Cranberry Tea by Alvita - 24 Bags

I wanted a natural product to help with hot flashes and night sweats. This makes an INCREDIBLE difference in my quality of life and sleep. I had significant decrease in symptoms almost immediately. I let it steep in my cup for about 5 minutes. I had trouble with the taste so I add sugar and a little peppermint extract and it is a very pleasant drink. I have a cup morning and evening and now am able to sleep much better. I also find I am not exhausted and dont have that anxious feeling. I would advise anyone to try this as it has helped me so much.

Between my third and fourth year of medical school, I did a four week elective at Bastyr University, an accredited university for CAM (complementary and alternative medicine). I did this for my personal curiosity, it is something I want to understand better and learn about. But there are also practical reasons for an MD to study CAM. Whether they admit it or not, our patients are use alternative medicines in conjunction with, or instead of, physician prescribed medications. It makes sense for doctors to know at least the basics of what is out there and what people are doing, so our patients can comfortably discuss these things with us.

During a lecture on herbal medicine (with the 'H' pronounced very deliberately), the herbal practitioner discussed what was known of the biochemistry of Valerian root. Apparently it acts on the GABA receptor in a manner very similar to way benzodiazepines act (like valium, xanax, ativan, klonopin...). So when they recommend Valerian root for its sleep promoting and/or anti-anxiety effects, it probably really is an effective treatment. But then it seems to me it is probably also not a completely benign medication (we know the benzos aren't). I asked the instructor if people could become tolerant or dependent on Valerian root, or if it could interact with other medications the way benzos can. She smiled politely, doing her charitable best to conceal her contempt for my ignorance and the attitudes she presumed were behind my question. After a beat, she answered "no." "You see, this is how plant spirits differ from pharmaceuticals. The plant spirits only go where they are needed."

I'm not sure if I flinched or if I successfully suppressed my knee-jerk spasm of skepticism. But this is where the CAM stuff gets away from me. I want to have an open mind. I certainly believe there is wisdom and alternates ways of healing out there outside of western medicine. But I had a hard time swallowing it when CAM practitioners want it both ways. They use the hard sciences any time it supports the use of alternative medications, but the second the hard science conflicts with their beliefs, they fall back on mystical explanations. I'm not saying there's nothing to that, but let's just say it's not something I can wrap my mind around.

In general, I think the herbal medicines are probably effective and safe when used very moderately. Just as you can't get in too much trouble chewing cocaine leaves (versus snorting refined cocaine), you probably won't run into troubles with an herbal tea made with Valerian (versus potent doses of benzos).

I think a lot of physicians have no problem with people using alternative medications except for a concern about the unknown. An MD is not trained to convert units of herbal supplements into standard benzo doses, for example, so it introduces confounders.

I'm not down on the herbal meds but I do believe that, when they work, they work for the same reasons pharmaceuticals work: They have active ingredients causing real physiological effects. And a placebo effect factors in, but we all know by now that our prescription drugs are benefit from placebo effects, so that's a wash. So know what you are taking, how much is considered safe, and talk to your doctors about it. Don't fool yourself into believing that herbal medications are harmless because they are "natural." If your doctor is condescending and automatically dismissive, get a new doc.

Ultimately, the course challenged me to more precisely define what an open mind is. I have an open mind, in that I'm curious, I'm open to learning, I don't believe I know everything, and I'm willing to listen to other perspectives. But an open-mind is not a blank mind. I have my experiences, biases, and education kicking around up there. My open mind does not have to believe everything it hears. I can have an open mind and still maintain a critical stance.

By the way, I'm giving thumbs up to this product. It's a nice tea, nice relaxing bedtime treat with just a bit of honey. If you need it for insomnia of muscle spasms, just make sure you talk to your doctor about the udnerlying problems and mention any supplements or herbal meds you use. Thank you for listening.

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My midwife recommended this product, and I drank it throughout my second and third trimesters. My labor was slow, but I experienced nothing you might really call pain (pressure and some discomfort) all the way to 9 centimeters. Then I pushed 3 times and my son was born. I'm not saying for sure that it was the tea...but I didn't have labors like this with my other two.

At any rate, it's tasty and not harmful. Just remember to tell your midwife or doctor that you're using it. I still drink it just cause I like it.

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It's true, this tea really stinks in dry form. When you put it in boiling water, it stinks less. But, it really worked for me. Gives you a nice drowsy feeling before bed, good to calm nerves at the office. I keep mine wrapped in two plastic bags and stuffed in a drawer. Try it.

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Was told by a friend to try Nettle tea for allergies. Brought it & it works great & quickly. Long time allergy suffer who loves Nettle tea. I'm able to use it & stopped all the other medications....