Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea (3rd November 2021):

Herbal teas are a healthy alternative to sugary, caffeinated beverages. They are an excellent complement to your daily wellness routine due to their numerous health advantages. In today’s world, where stress is a given and poor health decisions are inescapable at times, the demand for basic, long-term holistic wellbeing has never been higher. Let us make a commitment to start exploring for natural, holistic alternatives that are both efficient and plentiful. The world of herbal teas is a wonderful place to start.

What is Herbal tea?

Herbal tea is a hot-brewed mixture of one or more herbs, spices, flowers, or other botanicals. It does not include any tea and is produced entirely of botanical materials, hence the label “tea” is a misnomer. The healing attributes of the magical potion known as herbal tea are no longer unknown to the world. One of the healthiest beverages that can give you a quick boost of energy while nourishing your body is undoubtedly herbal tea. Herbal tea has a long list of health advantages, including congestion alleviation, immune boosts, sleep induction, and improved metabolism. A sip of this delectable beverage, whether in the evenings or as a lunchtime elixir of good health, is a fantastic substitute for caffeinated beverages. It can also be used after a large meal to aid digestion or simply to relax the stomach.

What are the benefits of drinking herbal teas?

Herbal teas continue to astound and entice us. Herbal teas come in a variety of flavours, some of which are regionally specific and others which are the result of seasoned blenders’ pure brilliance. Each spice, herb, and ingredient has its own function and health advantages, so there’s something for everyone. Let us take a look at the benefits that you can reap from drinking the various types of herbal tea.

  • An excellent immunity booster

Even those who do not drink tea on a regular basis are aware of the benefits it provides in terms of immunity. That is why, when we’re feeling under the weather, most of us reach for a steaming cup of tea. Tulsi tea has long been used in Ayurveda to strengthen the immune system during and after sickness, owing to its antifungal and antibacterial qualities. Tea’s therapeutic characteristics imply you’ll be able to get rid of your cold or flu faster.

Some teas with excellent immunity boosting capacities include:

  1. Dandelion Tea- Dandelion tea is abundant in antioxidants, which aid in the elimination of toxins and the immune system’s defence against illnesses. Dandelion tea also contains diuretic effects, which can help you flush your system and feel better quickly.
  2. Ginseng Tea– This tea promotes white blood cell development and inhibits virus replication, shortening the duration of a common cold or flu.
  3. Licorice Tea- Licorice has a distinct flavour profile of salty, sour, sweet, and bitter that may not appeal to everyone. If you can stand the flavour, this herbal tea has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities that can assist with flu-related body pains.
  • Stimulates the Digestive System

Tea is good for your digestive system because it absorbs gas, improves blood flow throughout the digestive tract, and eliminates free radicals that can cause indigestion and upset stomach. Herbal teas include phenols, which can help to strengthen both stomach and oesophagal muscles, reducing acid reflux and heartburn sensations. Teas also make it easier for your digestive tract to absorb nutrients.

You can try drinking the following to improve your digestive system:

  1. Chamomile Tea– Chamomile’s relaxing properties on digestion can help to soothe your stomach, lessen cramps, and treat heartburn symptoms.
  2. Ginger Tea– Ginger contains the phenols gingerol and shogaol, which assist your body break down food by stimulating digestive secretions like saliva. Drink ginger tea before a meal or a little cup during your meal to assist digestion.
  • Relief from soreness and pain

Pain is frequently treated with pharmaceutical medications, which might have negative side effects, similar to the common cold and flu. Many herbal teas, on the other hand, include characteristics that can assist decrease pain without having unwanted side effects.

Here are some teas you can try out if you are suffering from pain and soreness:

  1. Turmeric Tea– Turmeric tea contains anti-inflammatory qualities that can help with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraines. Turmeric tea can be purchased in health food stores or made at home with turmeric root, ginger root, coconut oil, water, and lemon.
  2. Feverfew Tea– When it comes to treating headaches and migraines, naturopaths love feverfew tea. While additional research is needed, the plant has only minimal side effects including tongue irritation, making it a good option for people who suffer from debilitating headaches on a regular basis. For a milder taste and to lessen the danger of discomfort, this plant is frequently mixed with lemongrass or passion flower in tea.
  • Helps you relax through de-stressing

Herbal tea can aid in relaxation and rejuvenation. It can help with stress and anxiety and is a safer and more natural alternative to conventional medications. Tea’s calming effects can help with sleep issues like insomnia and restless sleep. Millions of individuals have trouble sleeping at night, whether it’s due to a sleep condition, illness, or simply being unable to unwind at the end of the day. Valerian tea has potent sedative qualities that might help you fall asleep quickly and sleep better.

The list of teas that will help you calm down is long. 

  1. Peppermint Tea- It has menthol in it, which is a muscle reliever that occurs naturally. After a long day of stress, mint tea can assist in the entire body relaxation.
  2. Chamomile Tea- Chamomile tea is another soothing and calming beverage. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, it may aid in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder. It’s also a popular sleep aid and a great way to unwind before bed.
  3. Lemon Balm Tea- Lemon balm tea works to lower cortisol, a stress hormone, and doesn’t make you sleepy, so it’s a good choice if you need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day.
  • Prevents chronic diseases

Antioxidants in herbal teas work to remove free radicals throughout the body and protect against oxidative stress. Tea also includes polyphenols, which have been linked to a lower risk of cancer in studies. Polyphenols expand the arteries, lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and preventing blood clots. Antioxidants in teas like rooibos and honeybush have been demonstrated to reduce brain degeneration and osteoporosis.

  1. Rooibos Tea- The Cederberg Mountains in South Africa are the only place where Rooibos tea is grown. Tea leaves from the red bush plant are steeped in hot water to make the tea. Rooibos tea has 50 per cent more antioxidants than green tea, which can help prevent free radical damage. Aspalathin is one of these antioxidants, and it can decrease blood sugar increases, making this tea a healthy choice for diabetics and individuals with heart disease.
  2. Hibiscus Tea- Polyphenols are found in fruits and vegetables, and the darker your tea is, the more polyphenols it contains. Unfermented teas have more polyphenols than fermented teas, so choose those as well. Hibiscus tea is a dark red tea with a high mineral and vitamin C content. Polyphenols in hibiscus tea have been demonstrated to decrease LDL cholesterol, prevent heart disease and cancer, and fight bacteria like E. coli.
  • Improves brain function

While you can enjoy the health benefits of tea by drinking a cup or two while you’re sick, you’ll need to drink tea on a regular basis if you want to reap the benefits of tea’s brain-boosting properties. Herbal teas increase brain function mostly through increasing blood flow to the brain, which provides it with nutrients and oxygen necessary for a healthy mind.

Try drinking these on a regular basis to stimulate your brain functions.

  1. Ginger Root Tea- Ginger root tea’s anti-inflammatory characteristics mean fewer headaches since it inhibits the chemical prostaglandin, which causes headaches and migraines. 
  2. Ginkgo Biloba Tea- Due to its high antioxidant content, this tea increases blood flow to the brain and nerve cell activity. This tea has also been demonstrated to improve memory in healthy young to middle-aged persons. Aluminium chloride has been linked to neurological illnesses like Parkinson’s and other cognitive deficits, and Ginkgo biloba has been demonstrated to lower it in the brain.

Strawberry Tea – a fruity delight

Strawberry tea is a wonderfully flavourful beverage that, when correctly prepared, can provide a number of health benefits. It’s a herbal tea made from the leaves of the wild strawberry Fragaria vesca, which is scientifically known as Fragaria vesca. The medicinal element of this fruit, also known as a mountain strawberry or alpine strawberry, is the leaves, which are unlike the typical strawberries seen in grocery shops. Other varieties of this tea include standard white or black tea sweetened with strawberries, or even brewing the tea with the fruit itself.

Why should you drink strawberry tea?

  • It is rich in antioxidants- Wild strawberry leaves have been shown in studies to have powerful antioxidant properties, making them effective in killing free radicals and supporting a healthy immune system as well as bright skin. Drinking tea produced from wild strawberry leaves can help keep your skin wrinkle-free and reduce the risk of premature ageing.
  • It has diuretic properties- Strawberry has natural diuretic qualities due to the presence of caffeic acid, making it beneficial in flushing out the kidneys and removing toxins. As a result, those who have problems with water retention or urine should drink a cup of this tea every day to keep their kidneys in good working order. If you are currently receiving medical treatment for any of these disorders, you should seek medical advice before eating this tea.
  • Strengthens your bone- Drinking a cup of this tea on a regular basis, which contains minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, will help keep your bones strong while also reducing or eliminating arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint issues. Because this tea is also a diuretic, it aids in the removal of excess water from joints, which can cause inflammation and pain.
  • Aids weight loss- If you’re trying to lose weight, a cup of strawberry tea per day would be ideal because it’s low in calories and contains ellagic acid and anthocyanins.
  • Aids digestion- Apart from those made solely from the fruit, a strawberry leaf tea is extremely useful to digestion due to the presence of tannins, which also have an anti-inflammatory action, assisting in the relief of a variety of digestive diseases such as upset stomach, bloating, and cramping. In 2011, a study published in the journal Gene, Genome, and Genomics reported on the high tannin content of the leaves of wild strawberries found in Chile.

Precautions

While it’s no surprise that herbal teas are increasingly being supplied in a variety of formats, including restaurants, substituting them for meals or other vital intakes during the day may have negative consequences for your body’s system. Switching it with crucial meals or drinking too much tea, or any other food could result in lasting damage. While scientists are still trying to figure out the exact impacts, restricting intake to a prescribed level is clearly beneficial and encouraged in order to absorb all of the nutrients. If you are suffering from any serious medical condition, do consult your doctor before consuming your tea. 

Final thoughts

Herbal tea can be beneficial to your health in the short and long term. Tea can help you swiftly recover from a cold and keep you healthier in the long run. It is a wonderful way to unwind and appreciate the little things in life. You’re sure to find tastes you like whether you try echinacea tea, rosehip tea, green tea or basic chamomile. Choose a tea that you like and brew it either hot or chilled. You may even get tea samplers that allow you to try a variety of flavours to see which ones you prefer. Skip your regular caffeinated drinks and switch to this healthier option without compromising on the taste.

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