Herbal Teas

Herbal tea is surging in popularity thanks to positive publicity surrounding herbal tea health benefits and the vast array of distinctive flavors available to consumers.

Yet when you drink a cup of herbal tea, you are actually consuming an herbal infusion – also known as a tisane.

Herbal infusions look like tea and are brewed in boiling water like tea – yet they do not come from the Camellia sinensis bush, the plant from which all teas are made.

Instead, tisanes are made from mixtures of dried leaves, seeds, grasses, nuts, barks, fruits, flowers or other botanicals that give them their taste and contribute to an array of folk and researched-based herbal tea benefits.

Here are some of the suggested herbal tea benefits when consumed on a daily basis.

• Achieve a more calm, relaxed state of mind
• Support heart health
• Aid with stomach and digestive problems
• Provide cleansing properties for the body
• Promote energy and wellness

Following are some of the herbs and botanicals found in tisanes.

Allspice is said to help soothe the common cold and relieve upset stomachs

Chamomile tea is a favorite that many use if they have trouble sleeping. Chamomile serves as a natural sedative, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic so it is also good for cramps.

Because of its calming benefits, chamomile is often used to help relieve anxiety. It is rich in essential oils and can help the digestive system function properly.

Chamomile is also good for your skin; you can wet a cloth in the tea and use it as a skin cleanser or compress.

Chrysantemum provides a sweet tasting briew and is supposed to help reduce body heat resulting from fever. It also is known to help protect against liver damage and neutralize toxins in the body.

Cinnamon has a calming effect and is thought to support healthy circulation and digestion.

Ginger herbal teas have powerful medicinal properties. Ginger is reputed to be an aphrodisiac and can help freshen breath. It has anti-fungal and anti-spasmodic properties -- and can help soothe stomach upset by neutralizing acids and aiding digestion.

Ginger is also reputed to help relieve nausea, motion sickness, dizziness, flatulence and even help to ease muscle pain.

Ginseng is believed to stimulate vitality and help the body stay healthy.

Hawthorne has been used to strengthen the heart and increase blood flow.

Jasmine herbal teas have a lovely scent and flavor with all the wonderful antioxidant properties of green tea. Jasmine has long been known for its relaxing and warming qualities -- and soothing nature to the digestive system.

It also may help lower cholesterol, according to recent studies and may even help with longevity.

Lemongrass is used frequently in teas for its calming properties.

Parsley has a diuretic effect and is purported to help with kidney function.

Peppermint tea is thought to have greater stress-relieving attributes than chamomile tea and help with stomach and digestive issues. It also helps freshen breath.

Sarsaparilla is said to promote energy and healthy skin.

Slippery Elm has properties that help relieve stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal problems.

There are a plethora of herbal tea choices available from tea houses and retailers. In addition to herbal tea benefits, you will find that tisanes are a taste treat and pleasure to drink.

If you are interested in beginning a regular tea regime for medicinal purposes, make sure you familiarize yourself the composition of your herbal tea mixture.

While most herbal remedies are safe, always check with your doctor to ensure that herbs you are consuming complement your prescription medication and are appropriate for your medical situation.

How to brew herbal tea

To properly make herbal teas, use one tea bag per person or, if you are using dried herbs, use one teaspoon of the herb. Add boiling water to the herb mixture and let steep for five minutes.

Don’t let the brew sit for too long or it will start to taste bitter. Also, don’t drink it too soon or the herb won’t have fully imparted its flavor into the water.

<<Back