Herbal tea refers to all types of tea made from plants and herbs rather than the leaves of Camellia sinensis. It is also known as Tisane.
When brewing herbs, you will usually use about a teaspoon per cup or less, depending on the amount of flavor desired. These aromatic teas are popular with both herbalists and laypeople alike as they are believed to have health benefits such as reducing stress, easing digestion, and improving your immune system.
In some cases it is important to note that not all herbal teas may be suitable for people with certain medical conditions or pregnant women. However, typically most herbal teas are considered safe for consumption by those who do not have any specific medical condition at hand. Herbal teas can be made at home or purchased pre-made from various stores.
Origin and Cultivation
Herbal tea is a drink that has been consumed for thousands of years. It’s a mixture of the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits from different plant varieties. During medieval times, herbal teas were highly valued for their medicinal properties and served as a substitute for medical professionals.
As such, the drinks gained in popularity and created something new called tea culture which was not only based on consumption but also on knowledge and cultivation of these drinks by practitioners.
Tea culture spread to China with Buddhism in the 7th century where it became associated with Zen Buddhist monks who cultivated tea plants along with other traditions that have since flourished within that country like Qigong & Taoism among others.
Herbs used in making herbal tea
When thinking about a refreshing summertime herbal drink, one’s mind probably does not immediately turn to tea.
No one wants to drink something with such an overpowering flavor and aroma that it is hardly enjoyable, but there are some herbs that make for a very refreshing steaming cup of tea.
With various herbs for making herbal iced tea, you can enjoy the benefits of natural ingredients in this summer’s special beverage!
Herbal Tea: Top 10 Herbs
Nettle
Nettles are a member of the daisy family and can be found almost anywhere in the world. The nettle root is used for its medicinal properties and can be used in herbal tea recipes.
Chamomile
Tea made from chamomile is known to reduce anxiety and stress, which makes chamomile tea a great addition to herbal tea recipes. While it is not the most potent herb for making herbal teas, it’s comforting properties make it well worth the minimal effort involved in brewing your own.
Valerian
Valerian is another member of the daisy family and can be found all over the world. It is often used in magic spells and potions, but it is also beneficial for your health.
Hops
Hops are not only used for food, but they can also be helpful for making herbal teas as well! They have antiseptic and antifungal properties that help fight illness in the body naturally, which makes hops a very potent herb when it comes to making herbal tea recipes.
Peppermint
Not only does peppermint give you fresher breath, but it also helps soothe digestive problems like heartburn and indigestion. Peppermint is a very potent herb for making herbal tea recipes and can be used to naturally calm the stomach and to cure nausea. It is also great for helping with headaches.
Chrysanthemum
This beautiful flowering plant has been used as a medicinal herb in China, Japan, Korea and India for centuries because of its many therapeutic benefits to the body. These herbs are grown domestically in the United States and can help make herbal teas that are soothing, yet stimulating.
Rose
The rose has been used as a medicinal herb for over 5,000 years and has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs as well as Greek temples. Rose is a very potent herb for making herbal tea recipes, but it is not the strongest when it comes to medicinal herbs such as rosemary and sage.
Orange
Orange is known to make your skin glow without having to ingest certain chemicals in expensive creams and potions that are isolated from oranges. The antioxidant properties of oranges are very potent, which makes orange tea a powerful tonic for your body.
Yellow Dock
Yellow dock is another member of the daisy family and can be found on the shores of nearly all rivers in the world. Yellow dock root has been used in herbal medicine since ancient times because it helps cure digestive disorders, including dyspepsia, nausea and heartburn.
Fennel
Fennel is another member of the flowering plants family and can be found easily in most backyards across the world. It has a mild flavor and is often compared to licorice or dill. Fennel is known to help with PMS symptoms because it helps reduce menstrual cramps, bloating and water retention that causes weight gain during premenstrual syndrome.
Herbal Tea Benefits
The many health benefits from herbal teas are just as powerful, and can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a warm beverage. Herbal teas come in many flavors, such as chamomile and peppermint, so it’s easy to find one of your liking to enjoy anytime. Let’s discover the amazing health benefits of drinking herbal tea today!
For cough and cold
Chamomile, lemon balm, and peppermint are all great choices for soothing a sore throat and improving your health. To make the tea, pour hot water over a few sprigs of fresh herbs in a cup. Cover and let steep for about 10 minutes. You can also use dried herbs instead of fresh ones; just increase the amount to 2-3 teaspoons of each kind.
For inflammation
Add licorice tea to your list of anti-inflammatory foods. Licorice is great for soothing stomach irritations, helping with the digestion of fats and proteins, relieving nausea and indigestion, improving liver function and reducing gas.
For weight loss
If you’re trying to shed some pounds and keep them off, black tea can help you as part of your weight loss plan. Black tea contains fluoride which helps your teeth resist cavities and strengthens bones. It also contains antioxidants which have been shown to help with fat burning and the regulation of blood sugar levels
For cold sores
If you suffer from cold sores then white willow bark tea is a good choice for boosting your immune system, soothing the blisters and reducing pain and inflammation. To prepare, add 1 teaspoon of dried bark to 8 ounces of hot water and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes before drinking three times daily until symptoms subside.
For boosting iron
For a boost in iron intake, drink burdock tea. Burdock contains a high amount of iron and also is an excellent detox agent. It is high in minerals that are also essential for good blood flow and immune function, so it’s perfect to include in a blend of herbs and can be effective tea for detox.
For healthy bones
Use chamomile tea to ease arthritis pain, boost the immune system and treat inflammation. Chamomile tea can be made by steeping 3-4 teaspoons of dried flowers in 8 ounces of hot water for 5-10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
For flawless skin
If you’re looking for a boost in your beauty routine, try making a chamomile and rosehip tea blend. Rosehips are high in vitamin C and contain essential fatty acids that can help to combat the signs of aging and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other skin blemishes. To prepare, add ½ teaspoon each of dried rosehips and dried chamomile flowers to 8 ounces of hot water and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily before meals (as part of an elimination diet).
For IBS relief
Peppermint tea is beneficial for easing symptoms such as cramping, bloating or abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To make peppermint tea, steep 4-5 sprigs of fresh mint in 8 ounces of hot water for 5-10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily. You can also add a little honey to sweeten it.
For bloating and gas
Add lemon balm to your herbal tea selection to help with indigestion and bloating. Lemon balm is beneficial for anti-anxiety and calming purposes, relieving stress that may be causing digestive upset. To make lemon balm tea, steep 4 fresh or dried leaves in 8 ounces of hot water for 5 minutes before drinking 3 times daily when symptoms are present.
For stress and anxiety issues
Try adding chamomile tea to your daily routine, which is known for relaxing effects and can reduce stress-related symptoms such as back tension, headaches, or stomach upset. To prepare, steep 2 teaspoons of dried flowers in 8 ounces of hot water for 5-10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
For kidney and liver protection
If you’re looking to keep your kidneys and liver healthy then rooibos tea should be on your list of beverages to enjoy each day. Rooibos contain antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage and keep you healthy. It is also a great source of vitamins C and E which are vital for the health of the kidneys and liver.
For nausea and vomiting issues
Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint to 8 ounces of hot water and allow to steep for about 10 minutes before drinking three times daily. To prevent nausea, ginger tea can also be added to your list of herbs that help with nausea issues.
For insomnia
If you suffer from sleeplessness try adding raspberry leaf tea to your herbal tea collection. It contains valerian root, a calming sedative that will help you fall asleep more peacefully at night. Raspberry leaf has also been used to treat respiratory problems such as asthma and chronic coughs
For regulating sugar
If you’re trying to avoid sugar and keep your blood sugar levels steady and healthy, try decaffeinated herbal tea. The coffee-like flavor and caffeine content of decaffeinated herbs can help to balance blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes.
For nourishing weak nails
Chamomile tea for nails is a great choice for those who notice their nails breaking easily or becoming brittle, dry or cracking. To make chamomile tea for nails, steep 1 teaspoon of dried flowers in 8 ounces of hot water for 5-10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
For stomach issues
Drink peppermint tea to soothe and decrease stomach cramping and bloating. Peppermint has been known to be beneficial for digestive issues by stimulating the release of bile that helps break down food. To prepare, steep 4-5 fresh sprigs in 8 ounces of hot water for 5-10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
For indigestion and gas
Add 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds to 8 ounces of hot water and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
For cold and flu
Add 1 teaspoon each of ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom to 8 ounces of hot water and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
For appetite suppression
Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder and ¼ teaspoon dried ginger powder to 8 ounces of hot water and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
For rejuvenating tissue cells
Add 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black pepper to 8 ounces of hot water and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes before drinking 3 times daily.
Conclusion
Herbal tea is a healthy alternative for those who want to avoid caffeine but still enjoy their morning wake up drink.
It’s a great way to get some refreshment and hydration without the side effects of caffeine.
And what’s not to love about that?
==================================================================================================
References
Rejected
Types of Herbal tea
One of the most popular drinks in the world, herbal tea can be hot or iced, flavored with fruits or without. Here are some of the many types of herbal tea that are available for your enjoyment
Green Tea
This type of tea is the least fermented and is easily identifiable by its light green color which comes from the fact that it’s made from newly picked leaves. Green teas are also known to have a lighter taste than the other varieties.
Green teas can be readily found almost everywhere in the world. One of their notable export markets are in Japan, China and South Korea where they’re commonly referred to as tencha, bancha and gyokuro respectively.
White Tea
White tea is usually made from immature leaves picked before they have fully opened and have been dried. The leaves are plucked during late spring or early summer when there is little rainfall to ensure quality. White tea is also less oxidized than its counterparts and turns a golden color when infused.
White teas are also known to have a lighter taste than the other varieties, but they’re also more expensive due to their superior quality and the labor involved in harvesting these leaves. Just like green teas, white tea can be found almost everywhere in the world with the majority of its market being in China and Japan.
Black Tea
These are commonly referred to as red or black teas because of their deep reddish-brown color that’s brought about by the fermenting process that’s used to make them. The process usually starts off with young tea leaves which are then withered before undergoing oxidation that causes them to turn black.
Black tea is usually made from the same leaves that are used in green tea but they’re fermented longer to intensify the taste and create a blackish-brown color.
Black teas are most commonly found in the Asian marketplaces of China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Oolong Tea
This type of tea is made from fully fermented tea leaves after they have been rolled and twisted into a ball form before drying. This process results in the leaves having a flat appearance similar to bamboo shoots which contributes to its name.
Oolong tea is also commonly known to have a moderate taste with a distinctive fragrance. This type of tea is often readily available in Asia due to the large number of countries that produce it.
When it comes to planting these teas, the process differs slightly depending on which region they’re grown in. Many plantation owners will start with seeds or sprouts and place them directly into the ground where they’ll continue to grow and become full-fledged plants after 4-5 years.
The more common practice involves directly transplanting young plants into pots or seed trays filled with potting soil and then putting them out into open ground once they’re mature enough to survive there.
Nutritional Value
No matter which herbal tea you are sipping on, it has a huge nutritional value. Different herbs will have different nutritional values, so your choice of tea may depend on what you want out of it.
Different herbs have different combinations of antioxidants and polyphenols, so if you are drinking herbal tea for its antioxidant properties, then go for something like rooibos or blackberry leaf tea. If you are seeking a more laxative effect from the tisane that you drink, then go with something like senna leaves or dandelion root.
List of nutritional content in 100g or an herbal tea:
Nutrient %
Water 88.22 g
Protein 5.2 g
Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Carbohydrate 2.0 g
Vitamins Amount (mg) % of RDA per 100g of tea Watercress Leaf 33.8 mg 126% Raspberry Leaf 22.5 mg 100% Alfalfa Leaf 15.5 mg 70% Rosehip 8.9 mg 40% Peppermint 4.8 mg 20% Spearmint 4.4 mg 20% Lemongrass 1.7 mg 8%
Minerals Amount (mg) % of RDA per 100g of tea Alfalfa Leaf 1114.3 mg 45% Dandelion Leaf 792.7 mg 34% Peppermint 466.6 mg 20% Spearmint 292.1 mg 13% LemonGrass 233.2 mg 10% Lemon Peel 506.5 mg 22% Lemongrass 113.5 mg 5% Rosehip 77.7 mg 3%
