Four Top Picks for Calcium Rich Herbal Tea Infusions

Background Story

Originally, I put this list together when I still lived in China. By that time, I had already moved to Chengdu. Chengdu is famous for their quaint little tea houses, but all over China you will discover that the Chinese people have a love affair with loose leaf tea. And that love affair translates to a very strong tea drinking culture. In just about every grocery store, you will find thermoses, mugs and jugs that contain a screen topper that serves to prevent the loose tea from slipping out when you take a sip.

Here in the states, we have to settle for tea balls and occasionally you might find a tea pot with a fine mesh screen insert, which in my opinion, is preferable to tea balls, but tea balls will do in a pinch.

Nutritional Data & Practical Advice

The nutritional data I used was calculated on a per ounce basis, unless otherwise noted. In order to get the most out of your tea, only reuse it twice. Refilling your cup more than three times, is bound to undermine the nutritional integrity of the tea. By the third time around, the nutritional benefit will be considerably weakened.

My List of the Top 4 Calcium Rich Herbal Teas

Below are my 4 top picks for calcium rich tea, remember that calcium blocks the uptake of strontium-90 and is essential to strong bones and teeth. An additional bonus is that all these teas are rich in other minerals, to some degree or another.

1) Comfrey leaf - has traditionally been used to “knit bones” when used in the form of a poultice applied over the injury. Comfrey leaves are high in calcium and contain 600 mg per oz. 60 mcg. of chromium, trace amounts of iron (0.4 mg) and 23 mg. of magnesium.

2) Oatstraw - has been used to treat everything from minor skin irritations to anxiety. Oatstraw contains 476 mg. of calcium, 140 mcg. of chromium, and 400 mg. of magnesium.

3) Peppermint leaves - are mostly known for their ability to freshen breath and help calm upset tummies, but peppermint leaves also contain (for every 100 grams) 234 mg. of calcium, 5 mg. of iron, 80 mg. of magnesium, and 569 mg. of potassium.

4) Red raspberry leaf - is traditionally recommended during pregnancy, but you can receive its nourishing benefits no matter who you are because raspberry leaf tea contains 403 mg. of calcium, and 40 mcg. of chromium.

Helpful Links: Coe's Comfrey PDF, Peppermint, Comfrey