Grab our RSS Feed

Types of herbal teas and their benefits

Herbal teas, unlike other teas that are made from the tea leaf or tea plant, are made from any variety of herbs: fresh flowers, dried flowers, leaves, seeds, or roots. Another name for these herbal teas is ‘tisane’ or ‘infusions’. This tea is made by pouring boiling water over the herb of choice and then allowing it to brew for several minutes. If the seeds or roots are used, they are boiled on the stove before used with the boiling water. If you thought drinking this delicious tea was simply for taste, or a warm, low-calorie drink before bedtime, think again! Drinking the right type of tea can offer some serious health benefits. What’s more, all you have to do is drink it; it also comes in many different flavorful concoctions. The medicinal properties of specially brewed herbal tea make them an ideal choice of beverage.

Herbal Teas: Benefits
The idea that herbal teas can promote good health has been a long-practiced tradition in countries such as Japan, China, and India. The varieties are almost endless, as well as the systems or functions they support or renew. The therapeutic effect of herbal teas is too good to pass up. The characteristics of these herbal teas that lend their medicinal goodness are antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and their actions as either a stimulant or relaxer. Below is a list to get you started; just about any problem that can be cured with drinking tea is given.

• Sage Tea: Relieves a sore throat due to tonsillitis or laryngitis. It can also be used to relieve constipation and assist with digestion.
• Peppermint Tea: Helps with digestion anytime, but particularly after a heavy meal.
• Ginger Tea: Aids symptoms of nausea and an upset stomach. During pregnancy, it can help with morning sickness.
• Chamomile Tea: Helps relaxes you so you can settle in for a good night’s sleep.
• Echinacea Tea: Boosts the immune system and enhances cold-fighting immune responses.
• Ginkgo Biloba Tea: Naturally enhances concentration, and may assist with memory skills.
• Red Clover Tea: This tea is an excellent skin cleanser.
• Lemon Balm Tea: As well as being a skin cleanser, this tea soothes stress-related feelings and can work to calm you down.
• Rosemary Tea: Rosemary has antiseptic properties that help to relieve headaches. Add a teaspoon or two of honey to make it taste better.
• Persimmon Tea: Assists in ailments related to a Vitamin C deficiency.
• Rosehips Tea: This tea is also a Vitamin C source, and can relieve symptoms of the common cold or flu.
• Sassafras Tea: Helps prevent unnatural blood clotting. Also, this tea can alleviate symptoms connected to respiratory disturbances.
• Birch Tea: This tea is ideal for those suffering from rheumatic fever or frequent, nagging headaches. Birch tea also helps to freshen bad breath.
• Raspberry Tea: Helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body.
• Blueberry Tea: This tea is recommended for its rejuvenating healing properties: promotes proper functioning of the kidneys and urinary tract; reenergizes those who are feeling weak or tired.
• Cardamom Tea: Assists with the whole package of digestion: stimulates it, relieves gas pains and flatulence, and reduces stomach cramps.
• Cinnamon Tea: Improves blood circulation, provides mild cold symptom relief, and comforts an upset stomach and menstrual cramps.
• Rooibos Tea: This is a caffeine-free tea that is used to treat skin and circulatory disorders and boost the immune system.

Before Drinking Herbal Teas…
Beware of whether or not the manufacturer is licensed before consuming any herbal teas. If they’re not licensed, you may run into unnecessary problems and dangers of drinking the product. Also, some herbals can potentially increase the problem instead of provide health benefits. For example, Comfrey can cause liver problems if consumed excessively. Other herbal teas can provoke allergic reactions; to prevent this, test your tolerance with a very small amount of the tea. To relieve any worries, and make sure you get the most positive benefits that herbal tea is capable of providing, consult with your doctor to see what will work best for your situation.

Last updated on Jul 8th, 2010 and filed under Alternative Medicine. Both comments and pings are currently closed.