Why is a deciduous shrub found in Arizona and Mexico causing such a stir? Palo Azul tea, derived from the thick bark of the cyclolepis shrub, is a subtle, earthy brew with an exotic blue tint – and it’s taking the herbal tea industry by storm. But Palo Azul tea isn’t exactly delicious, and tea with a colored tint is anything but unique. So what makes this herbal tea so special?
Turns out, Palo Azul tea is believed to have many health benefits. The tea is believed to help detox the body, promote kidney health and strengthen the joints, among other things. In fact, South Americans have used Palo Azul tea for centuries to cleanse their bodies and maintain their health. And Palo Azul tea isn’t just for people who treat their bodies like temples – a growing number of people are saying this tea has helped them pass drug tests! Sure, there’s no scientific evidence supporting this claim, but a quick Google search reveals the widespread discussion across blogs and forums about the tea’s drug-cleansing properties. It’s common for herbal teas to be associated with various health benefits, but few other brews are associated with as many perks as this.
Making Palo Azul tea is simple enough. The bark chunks can be ordered online or purchased at Mexican food specialty stores. The chunks can be ground for teabags or boiled whole; then, simmer the brew for an hour (or more) and serve it warm or cold, based solely on preference. The longer the tea is allowed to steep, the greater its taste and benefits. Also, the longer the tea steeps, the more the wood’s natural blue dye gives the tea its trademark tint. A couple ounces of Palo Azul bark produces enough tea for several hours of enjoyment.
Want to skip the process of boiling and simmering bark? If so, you can also find Palo Azul tea in easy-to-use tea bags. However, the tea bag form of Palo Azul doesn’t compare with the potency of tea brewed straight from the bark. Grinding the bark for filling your own tea bags also isn’t as potent. If your goal is to detoxify, then follow the full brewing process for the best results.
Drinking Palo Azul tea on a regular basis can help prevent kidney diseases and disorders, according to research by the Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics. The center’s research found the tea can be helpful for people who are at risk of kidney infections and swollen kidneys by flushing excess toxins and water from the bloodstream. The tea is believed to help prevent the formation of kidney stones, which are difficult and painful to pass once formed. This tea can also provide relief from urinary tract infections while also keeping the urinary system free of impurities. With so many benefits for the kidneys, it’s no wonder why this brew is so often referred to as “kidneywood” tea.
Palo Azul tea is also good for your bones and joints. This astounding brew contains calcium, which is crucial for maintaining strong, healthy bones. The herbal tea is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. People who suffer from everyday aches and pains – and even people who suffer from osteoarthritis, gout and other chronic joint issues – can find relief from this traditional blue tonic. Whether you suffer from hand pain, back pain or neck pain, Palo Azul tea can help. And finally, Palo Azul tea contains the Eysenhardtia herb, which is a mild hypoglycemic that can treat people with low blood sugar levels. For this reason, people who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes often use Palo Azul tea to naturally manage their blood sugar.
Herbal teas will never replace established medical treatments commonly recommended by doctors. Regarding Palo Azul tea specifically, its health properties haven’t been studied by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, the benefits of this brew cannot be denied. Not only is Palo Azul tea good for maintaining general wellness, but this natural bark brew has no known side effects. And if you ever find yourself dealing with a chronic health issue, don’t be surprised if your doctor recommends Palo Azul tea as an alternative treatment. Wouldn’t you rather drink more tea than fill your body with more pills?
Palo Azul tea won’t be on the best-seller list for any tea house or coffee shop. It’s pleasant to drink, but not as flavorful and aromatic as more popular blends of herbal tea. And you’ll probably still reach for lemon or peppermint tea when sick with the cold or flu. That said, if your goal is to cleanse your body and achieve more complete wellness – or if you partied too hard recently and you’re willing to try anything to pass a short-notice drug test — then no box of instant tea compares with the centuries-old blue tone of a Palo Azul brew.