גְבִיָה: תֵה צְמַחִים

Samahan is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formula that's been used in Sri Lanka for generations, and it's become one of those household staples that nearly every Sri Lankan family keeps on hand. The product combines 14 different herbs and spices into instantly soluble granules that you dissolve in hot water, tea, coffee, or milk.

The ingredient list reads like an Ayurvedic pharmacy: ginger, black pepper, long pepper, coriander, cumin, licorice, galangal (a ginger relative), and several traditional Sri Lankan herbs like veniwel, katuwelbatu, adhatoda, and vishnukranthi. Each herb has its own traditional use, but the formulation is designed so they work together.

The way Sri Lankans use Samahan is telling. Many people drink one sachet daily as a general tonic for immune support. When cold symptoms first appear, they'll increase to two or three sachets throughout the day. The logic is that Samahan supports the body's natural defenses rather than suppressing symptoms.

What you'll notice immediately is the warming sensation. The combination of ginger, black pepper, and long pepper creates internal heat that opens the respiratory passages and gets circulation moving. People describe it as feeling energized but without the jittery caffeine effect. This makes it popular before exercise as a natural pre-workout drink.

The taste takes some getting used to. The ginger and pepper give it spicy heat, while licorice adds sweetness. Most people find it pleasant once they've had it a few times, and kids can drink it too (just use half a sachet for children under 15).

DRUERA ships Samahan directly from Sri Lanka within days of production, which matters because herbal products are best when fresh. The 205 reviews averaging 4.96 out of 5 stars suggest people find it effective, with many becoming repeat customers who describe it as their "savior" during cold season.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) has been called a "brain tonic" in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, and it's one of the few traditional herbs where modern research actually supports the traditional claims. In Sanskrit, it's known as Mandookparni and is classified as a Medhya Rasayana, which loosely translates to "brain nootropic."

The legend goes that ancient scholars in India and China used Gotu Kola to help them live past 100 years while keeping their minds sharp. Whether that's true, the science around cognitive benefits is promising. A 2016 study on post-stroke patients found that 750-1000 mg of Gotu Kola extract daily for six weeks improved cognitive function, particularly memory, as effectively as folic acid (a standard treatment). Another randomized trial found that Gotu Kola combined with exercise improved working memory and executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

How does it work? The active compounds are triterpenes (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid), which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Research suggests these compounds may stimulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the growth and survival of neurons. Gotu Kola also appears to increase blood flow to the brain and may help prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter most associated with memory and learning.

Unlike caffeine, which creates alertness through stimulation, Gotu Kola is actually a relaxant. Students in Bali call it "the student herb" because it sharpens mental focus without causing the jitters or crashes that come with stimulants. Some people describe actually feeling it working, likely from the increased blood flow to the brain.

The tea has a mild, earthy taste that's quite different from the strong flavors of most herbal teas. It's gentle and clean, making it easy to drink throughout the day. DRUERA's Gotu Kola Tea Bags (currently sold out but worth watching for) provide a convenient way to get these benefits without measuring loose herbs.

One important note: since Gotu Kola has relaxant properties, avoid it if you're taking sedative medications, and check with your doctor if you have any health concerns.

This is one of the most common questions about herbal tea, and the answer is refreshingly simple: true herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free because they're not made from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) at all. They're technically "tisanes," which are infusions made from herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, and spices that never contained caffeine in the first place.

This distinction matters. Regular tea (black, green, white, oolong) comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and naturally contains caffeine. Decaf tea has gone through a chemical process to remove most (but not all) caffeine. Herbal teas bypass the whole issue because they're made from completely different plants.

In DRUERA's Herbal Tea collection, here's the caffeine breakdown:

Completely caffeine-free: Samahan Tea, Gotu Kola Tea, Paspanguwa Tea, Lemongrass Tea, and Moringa Powder are all naturally caffeine-free. You can drink these any time of day without worrying about sleep.

Contains caffeine: Masala Chai Tea includes black tea in its blend of spices, so it does contain caffeine. This one is better for mornings or early afternoon, not bedtime.

For evening use, Lemongrass Tea is a particularly good choice. It has a bright, citrusy flavor that's light and refreshing without being stimulating. Samahan also works well in the evening despite its warming spices, as many of its ingredients (like licorice) are traditionally used to support relaxation.

One practical tip if you're drinking any liquid close to bedtime: give yourself a couple of hours before you sleep so you're not waking up for bathroom trips. The herbs won't keep you awake, but a full bladder will.

The broader benefit of having herbal teas available is that they give you something warm and comforting to drink in the evening when you've stopped caffeine for the day. That ritual of preparing and sipping tea can itself help signal to your body that it's time to wind down. Research shows that having a consistent bedtime routine, including calming activities in the 30-60 minutes before bed, improves sleep quality. A warm cup of herbal tea fits perfectly into that pattern.

Claude is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check cited sources.

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