WARNING: Read the label before drinking this tea!
Where to start? This is my first Yogi tea. This one in particular was recommended to me by a friend. It’s advertised to “ease tension and promote relaxation.*” The asterisk elaborates that “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” Fairly standard language. I actually work for the FDA, so I’m used to seeing this kind of disclaimer on products. What I wasn’t prepared for were the major warnings listed on the tea packet:
“Ask a health care professional before use if you have or have had liver problems, frequently use alcoholic beverages or are taking any medication. Stop use and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may signal liver problems (e.g., unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, yellow eyes or skin). Not for use by persons under 18 years of age or by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Not for use with alcoholic beverages. Excessive use or use with products that cause drowsiness may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy equipment.”
JEEZ!!!!! And these warnings are contradicted by the advertisements on the box:
“We think before we blend. How will our recipes work with body and mind?” And “Health is found in nature. We work with what nature already offers rather than trying to concoct it. We don’t have laboratories. We have kitchens.” And “For a stronger effect, use 2 tea bags. On especially challenging days, drink 3 to 4 cups.”
So, first you warn me not to drink it excessively. Then you tell me to use 2 tea bags and drink 3-4 cups a day. Isn’t that somewhat excessive?
Additionally, you tell me not to drink it if I’m taking ANY medications at all. How can you expect the average consumer not to be taking any medications at all? What specifically are you trying to warn me against combining? Should I not drink this if I take an Advil? Should I not drink this if I’m on birth control? Should I not drink this if I’m on cholesterol or blood pressure medication? Does this tea really interfere with ANY medication that I take? Giving a warning that vaguely lumps all medications together seems fishy.
This is scary! My first impression was that the tea smelled weird. There’s something a little off about it. But I generally get that impression with herbal teas, so I didn’t dwell on it. I took a sip and found that even though it smelled funky, I could only taste hot cinnamon water. I’m really not getting any other flavors at all. Just cinnamon.
But after reading the box, I’m afraid to drink any more of it! Especially because I can’t taste that funky thing I’m smelling. I’m afraid of what this “tea” will do to my body. I don’t drink alcohol very often, but just the possibility that drinking this tea will hurt my liver is a huge concern!
I thought tea was supposed to be healthy. I thought tea was supposed to be good for you. All I’ve ever heard are the positive impacts of drinking tea (with the exception that it inhibits the body’s ability to absorb iron).
What the heck is this in my cup?? I personally have not had any ill effects from the two tiny sips I’ve consumed today. But I warn everyone out there, beware of Yogi teas!
A tea that requires this much warning before consumption isn’t normal. I’m tempted to alert my FDA colleagues to this tea just because a warning label might not be sufficient for keeping an unsafe product on the market.
Consumer beware!
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Did they include an ingredients list amongst all other claims, precautions and warning labels?
INGREDIENTS: Carob Pod, Indian Sarsaparilla Root, Organic Cinnamon Bark, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Barley Malt, Kava Root Extract (Kavalactones 30%), Organic Cardamom Seed, Natural Hazelnut Flavor, Stevia Leaf, Natural Licorice Flavor, Natural Cinnamon Oil.
The only other problem I can see from Yogi Teas (and it’s not just them, but a lot of herbal blends) is that oftentimes they use licorice root to sweeten and balance out flavors that many people would find too bitter. Licorice root can destroy potassium levels easily, so it’s not the best thing to use so loosely.
The warning comes from the Kava Kava root. Personally, I think it’s a bit exaggerated, especially in the amount they’re probably using. Kava Kava root isn’t really extracted well in water anyway (the native people chew the root and their saliva breaks down the kavalactones). There’s no need to make this tea a daily tea- they really should be more specific- but there’s no reason to be alarmed in consuming every now and then.
Kava is ranked among the top 10 herbs sold in the United States and Europe. In a double-blind clinical study testing Kava’s reputed stress relieving properties, Kava was proven not to relieve anxiety more than the placebo (study conducted in 2005 by the University of California: San Francisco). Conclusion: There’s no reason to risk your liver in the hope that you’ll be less stressed out. Drink a different tea!
Kava came under the FDA’s scrutiny after a number of European reports that it might cause damage to the liver – including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. German & Swiss health authorities have identified approximately 30 such cases, including four cases requiring transplantation, and one death. As a result, regulatory agencies in Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, & the U.K., have taken actions ranging from warning consumers about the potential risks of kava use, to removing kava-containing products from the marketplace. In the U.S., FDA has received several reports of kava-related liver damage, including a report of a previously healthy young woman who required a liver transplant. Although the incidence appears to be rare, FDA believes consumers should be informed of potential risks.
Ok, I don’t drink the tea but I have been taking Kava from Kona Kava for years now. I enjoy this at the end of a long time as some people enjoy alcohol. Like anything else, listen to your body….
I started drinking this (my Mom bought it for me) when i thought I was having stress and “stomach” issues. I had several incidents I had supposed were ulcer attacks. These attacks consisted of a cannonball like pain in my stomach, with nausea, vomiting (1x per “attack”) As time went on these “attacks” became more frequent, more painful, longer in duration and shorter span between these attacks. I became more and more fatigued. I was STILL sure it was an ulcer due to current major life stressors.
I JUST spent 95% of my vacation in the hospita, out of state (Sunday —> Tuesday) . This final attack that sent me running to the ER? ALSO had orange urine, started going jaundice, fever, in addition to cannonball like pain in my stomach, nausea, vomiting (5x this “attack”), and horrific pain throughout my back.
Liver levels? 30x normal. Should have been 30, they were 900. I have had tests up the wazoo (MRI, Sono, Vascular Sono, CT scans, Endsoscope)
Note: I had been drinking several Teavana teas prior and while using this tea. Did some Teavana tea actually start an issue it and this made it way worse? Or was it just Teavana all along? I don’t know for sure… I have had more blood and tests than I care to say in the last 5 days. I had to get back home to my doc to follow up. I now have to see a GI to follow up as well. I’m MUCH better, but still very far from alright and still in some level of pain and discomfort.
Be very careful with ANY herbals, even as innocent as they may seem … I didn’t read the label as I didn’t buy this, but boy I wish I had …
Wow, Jeanette. I am so sorry to hear about your experience, and I hope you start feeling better soon. If you think this was in any way related to the tea that you’ve been drinking, please take a moment to report it to the FDA. Information on who to contact is contained at this link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm
Please keep us updated here too. The Steepster community is always here for you, and if there’s anything we can do, just let us know. I’ll pray for your recovery.
Did they include an ingredients list amongst all other claims, precautions and warning labels?
INGREDIENTS: Carob Pod, Indian Sarsaparilla Root, Organic Cinnamon Bark, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Barley Malt, Kava Root Extract (Kavalactones 30%), Organic Cardamom Seed, Natural Hazelnut Flavor, Stevia Leaf, Natural Licorice Flavor, Natural Cinnamon Oil.
The only other problem I can see from Yogi Teas (and it’s not just them, but a lot of herbal blends) is that oftentimes they use licorice root to sweeten and balance out flavors that many people would find too bitter. Licorice root can destroy potassium levels easily, so it’s not the best thing to use so loosely.
The warning comes from the Kava Kava root. Personally, I think it’s a bit exaggerated, especially in the amount they’re probably using. Kava Kava root isn’t really extracted well in water anyway (the native people chew the root and their saliva breaks down the kavalactones). There’s no need to make this tea a daily tea- they really should be more specific- but there’s no reason to be alarmed in consuming every now and then.
Kava is ranked among the top 10 herbs sold in the United States and Europe. In a double-blind clinical study testing Kava’s reputed stress relieving properties, Kava was proven not to relieve anxiety more than the placebo (study conducted in 2005 by the University of California: San Francisco). Conclusion: There’s no reason to risk your liver in the hope that you’ll be less stressed out. Drink a different tea!
Kava came under the FDA’s scrutiny after a number of European reports that it might cause damage to the liver – including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. German & Swiss health authorities have identified approximately 30 such cases, including four cases requiring transplantation, and one death. As a result, regulatory agencies in Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, & the U.K., have taken actions ranging from warning consumers about the potential risks of kava use, to removing kava-containing products from the marketplace. In the U.S., FDA has received several reports of kava-related liver damage, including a report of a previously healthy young woman who required a liver transplant. Although the incidence appears to be rare, FDA believes consumers should be informed of potential risks.
Ok, I don’t drink the tea but I have been taking Kava from Kona Kava for years now. I enjoy this at the end of a long time as some people enjoy alcohol. Like anything else, listen to your body….
I started drinking this (my Mom bought it for me) when i thought I was having stress and “stomach” issues. I had several incidents I had supposed were ulcer attacks. These attacks consisted of a cannonball like pain in my stomach, with nausea, vomiting (1x per “attack”) As time went on these “attacks” became more frequent, more painful, longer in duration and shorter span between these attacks. I became more and more fatigued. I was STILL sure it was an ulcer due to current major life stressors.
I JUST spent 95% of my vacation in the hospita, out of state (Sunday —> Tuesday) . This final attack that sent me running to the ER? ALSO had orange urine, started going jaundice, fever, in addition to cannonball like pain in my stomach, nausea, vomiting (5x this “attack”), and horrific pain throughout my back.
Liver levels? 30x normal. Should have been 30, they were 900. I have had tests up the wazoo (MRI, Sono, Vascular Sono, CT scans, Endsoscope)
Note: I had been drinking several Teavana teas prior and while using this tea. Did some Teavana tea actually start an issue it and this made it way worse? Or was it just Teavana all along? I don’t know for sure… I have had more blood and tests than I care to say in the last 5 days. I had to get back home to my doc to follow up. I now have to see a GI to follow up as well. I’m MUCH better, but still very far from alright and still in some level of pain and discomfort.
Be very careful with ANY herbals, even as innocent as they may seem … I didn’t read the label as I didn’t buy this, but boy I wish I had …
Wow, Jeanette. I am so sorry to hear about your experience, and I hope you start feeling better soon. If you think this was in any way related to the tea that you’ve been drinking, please take a moment to report it to the FDA. Information on who to contact is contained at this link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm
Please keep us updated here too. The Steepster community is always here for you, and if there’s anything we can do, just let us know. I’ll pray for your recovery.