If you have ever searched for an anti diabetic green tea, a tea for hormonal balance, or a PCOS-friendly herbal blend, you have probably noticed the same thing we did: the internet is full of promises and very short on plain explanation of what is actually in the cup.
This guide does the opposite. No claims about curing anything — just an honest look at the Ayurvedic tea ingredients Indian households have reached for over generations, what each one tastes like, and how to brew them properly.
Gurmar, jamun and amla: the blood-sugar-adjacent classics
When people search for an anti diabetic tea in India, they are almost always looking for three ingredients without knowing the names.
Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre) literally translates from Sanskrit as "sugar destroyer" — a name earned because chewing the leaf temporarily dulls your ability to taste sweetness. It is bitter, green and grassy in a cup.
Jamun seed brings a mild natural sweetness and a dark, almost plummy depth. Amla (Indian gooseberry) adds sourness and a bright, astringent finish. Together with fenugreek, turmeric and giloy, they make a golden-yellow infusion that tastes earthy and clean rather than medicinal.
You will find all six in our Herbal Green Tea Blend with Amla, Turmeric and Jamun from The Infused Kettle. Brew 2.5g in 150–200ml of hot water for 5–7 minutes.
Shatavari and ashoka: what women's wellness teas are actually made of
Searches for hormonal balance tea, PCOS tea and PCOD herbal tea nearly always lead back to two botanicals from the Ayurvedic materia medica.
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is a root with a soft, slightly sweet, milky character — it is the mellow base note in most women's blends. Ashoka bark is more astringent and tannic, closer to a black tea in body.
Blended with red raspberry leaf, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and lemon peel, the result is warm and lightly spiced with a citrus lift. That is exactly the composition of Ecotyl Women's Herbal Tea — caffeine-free, 50g in a reusable glass jar, roughly 25 cups.
Cordyceps: the Himalayan alternative to a second coffee
Cordyceps has moved from Himalayan folk tradition into the vocabulary of athletes and long-day workers. As a tea it is unlike anything else on this list — deep, earthy and savoury, with a genuinely umami finish that surprises people expecting something floral.
It is naturally caffeine-free, which is the whole appeal: a warming afternoon cup that does not interfere with sleep. Try Gulessence Cordyceps Herbal Tea, steeped 4–6 minutes.
How to build a daily rotation
- Morning: the amla, turmeric and jamun green tea blend — bright and astringent enough to wake up with.
- Afternoon: cordyceps — savoury and grounding, no caffeine crash at 4pm.
- Evening: the shatavari and ashoka blend — warm, spiced, caffeine-free.
A note on expectations
Herbal teas are food, not medicine. They are a pleasant, low-effort daily ritual and a way to get botanicals into your routine — not a treatment for diabetes, PCOS, or any other condition, and not a substitute for advice from your doctor. If you are managing a health condition or taking medication, talk to a qualified practitioner before adding new herbs to your routine, particularly gurmar and fenugreek.
Browse the full range on EarthBased beverages — every blend is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and shipped pan-India.