Category: Hot drinks

“I am an active YSA, 22 years of age having being diagnosed with a PCOS for 5 years now, and it affects my weight and fertility. A nutritionist recommended I drink green tea. I have asked several church representatives and have been given several answers, so am slightly confused as to if it is ok or no.” (Tamara)

Generally speaking, green tea — as is any tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant — is against the word of wisdom. Whether you drink it or not for a medical condition is a personal decision, in my opinion, for you to make. If you make a decision to drink it, you should consult your leaders to make sure it would not jeapordise your temple recommend.

It is highly likely you won’t need any specific product. My wife, for example, has had PCOS for over 20 years. She managed to lose over 100 lbs without a single product and we have three children (over 12 years mind you). All she used was nutrition and exercise.

“There is a new dietary supplement out called the CoffeeBerry. It is made out of the whole fruit, I believe including the coffee bean. What is your take on that?” (Rhett)

The Word of Wisdom specifically mentions hot drinks, or coffee and tea. It does not list specific ingredients in those drinks. A literal interpretation of the Word of Wisdom would include a drink made from coffee beans. Anything beyond that would require a looser interpretation.

“You mentioned oolong tea as a “bad” tea. This type of tea is fast becomming known for its many medicinal qualities, containing high amounts of anti-oxidants and helping maintain healthy insulin levels in the blood. Is oolong tea really a “bad” tea, or just an oversight?” (Scott)

I don’t believe the Word of Wisdom states oolong tea (or tea in general) is bad, or rather unhealthy. In fact, all it does say regarding the matter is that “hot drinks are not for the body or belly”. Some may interpret that to mean tea is bad or unhealthy, but that is simply one interpretation.

All the Lord said was that it is not for our body or belly. He wasn’t more elaborate than that. He has simply told us not to put it in our body or belly, not the reason why we are not to.

Oolong tea may very well be healthy, but that’s irrelevant given that the Lord doesn’t seem to have said the reason to avoid it was because it was unhealthy.

“I have always been told that green tea is herbal and not against the word of wisdom. I have told people this is not the type of tea that is meant in the Word of Wisdom. I was questioned a few times from some member friends that weren’t sure I was informed correctly so I began to do research on the internet. Please tell me what you know and from what source.” (Rob)

As I mentioned, President Young stated the following:

“I have heard it argued that tea and coffee are not mentioned therein;
that is very true; but what were the people in the habit of taking as
hot drinks when that revelation was given? Tea and coffee. We were not
in the habit of drinking water very hot, but tea and coffee—the
beverages in common use” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 182).

Tea as it is was consumed in the days of the early Saints, as it is
today, was an infusion of the leaves, buds and internodes of the tea
plant (Camellia sinensis). Teas derived from this plant include black
tea, green tea, oolong tea, congou tea, pekoe tea, orange pekoe tea
and souchong tea. They are available under numerous brand and product
names.

There is no other tea Brigham Young could have been referring to. See
here for more information on what is meant by tea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea

“Recently I was introduced to a South American drink known as Yerba Mate. I was assured that it was not against the WoW and that it was an herbal tea (I personally drink herbal teas quite frequently). I have researched it as thoroughly as I possibly can and do not believe it to be against the Word of Wisdom. But a close friend of mine recently returned from a mission in South America and was says he was told it was against the Word of Wisdom by his mission president.” (Roy)

Based on the modern interpretation of the Word of Wisdom and my limited understanding of Yerba Mate, I do not believe it is against the word of Wisdom. It is not coffee, alcohol or made from the Camellia sinensis bush.

This mission president may have made the assumption that since Yerba Mate contains caffeine, it is against the Word of Wisdom. This is an incorrect deduction.

Drink away, mate.