Traditional Medicinals Teas

I've been a big fan of Traditional Medicinals teas for years ever since a box of Echinacea Throat Coat (R) took care of a stubborn sore throat.

I don't recall if Traditional Medicinals teas were organic back then, but many of them are certainly organic now.

For example, take the Organic Chamomile tea (recommended for its calmative and digestive properties) that contains 100% USDA-certified organic ingredients and 100% Fair Trade Certified ingredients by dry weight.

Organic Peppermint (recommended for healthy digestion) also contains 100% organic ingredients. Organic Smooth Move herbal laxative tea with Senna leaf is 98% organic. You get the picture.

But what really gets us excited is the fact that Traditional Medicinals has just installed a large solar power system at its California headquarters, prompting the company to claim the title of "largest sun-powered tea company in the world!" The system's 1,450 solar panels are designed to generate 430,000 kWh of electricity per year -- more than 75% of the Traditional Medicinals' needs.

If you're wondering about where Traditional Medicinals gets the rest of its electricity, the company apparently supplements its solar power by purchasing wind energy credits.

(Traditional Medicinals says that it also tries to bring the benefits of solar power to some of the communities that supply its tea. In Rajasthan, India, the company says it is providing solar training, solar ovens for cooking and solar lights for night school education to the Bishnoi farming community that provides Senna leaves for Traditional Medicinals teas.)

Where to buy:

You can order Traditional Medicinals teas online from the company's own website (usually $5.49 for a box of 18 teabags) or find the teas in stores at Whole Foods Markets, Vitamin Shoppes ($3.99-4.99) and numerous other natural products retailers. Use the Store Locator to find the most convenient retail location near you.