Herbal Teas and Their Benefits
Herbal teas have been around for a long time. They have been used in different cultures. Herbal teas involve soaking herbs, flowers, spices, and fruits in hot water. They have been used as medicinal aids by many known scientists, such as Hippocrates, who used to make potions from these to cure diseases in ancient Greece. Herbal tea leaves are also a major part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine (1)
Herbal teas have gained popularity in the modern world due to the growing awareness of the wellness culture. People prefer natural and non-pharmacological ways of treating diseases and maintaining health, and people widely use herbal teas as a simple and relaxing approach to boosting health. These teas have an impact on the human body. Some of them boost immunity and decrease inflammation, while others affect stress levels and help in aiding digestion (2) . These teas can work on providing a natural cure in our everyday lives.
What Are Herbal Teas?
Herbal tea is made of dried fruits, spices, and herbs from around the world. Herbal teas are soothing and nonstimulating as they do not have any caffeine. They are processed very carefully such that when they meet the warm water, they release all their flavors and nutrients. In the Middle East, herbal tea is served as hospitality after main course meals with a dessert. In Chinese medicine, they are used to healing through energy balance.
Health Benefits of Herbal Tea
Teas made from herbs are appropriate for the treatment of diseases and the prevention of illnesses in our bodies. They contain vitamins and other nutrients and antioxidants that protect the body from radicals that bring diseases in the body and aging (3) . Other teas contain other herbs that help to combat inflammation in the joints (4) and the gut (5) . Some of them act as digestive aids and help in relieving stomach problems such as discomfort, bloating, gas and nausea. Ginger tea is effective in the role of inflammation and also helps in digestion as well. Some of the antioxidant teas are Roobios tea and Hibiscus tea. Research says that curcumin (6) and chamomile (7) have beneficial effects in the reduction of chronic illness. Ginger and peppermint teas are always credible natural remedies for indigestion as well as for having a queasy stomach. They also alleviate the tension of the body and helps in acting as a sleeping pill. They also assist people to overcome stress, tension, and sleeplessness (8) . Such properties such as antioxidant agents in earl berry and echinacea have pharmacological importance since they help fight against the common cold and infections. According to research, the consumption of herbal teas in your daily diet has the following benefits: it enhances the immune system and digestion, and fights against inflammations and chronic diseases.
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Some Herbal Teas and Their Benefits
Similarly, herbal teas also come in different forms according to the types of herbs used, and each type caters to specific health issues. Here are some of the most common types of herbal teas and the benefits they have:
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea helps to decrease the inflammation in the body and also relieves the tension in the body. So, it is instrumental in eradicating anxiety as well as sleeplessness problems to a great extent. It also is very valuable especially in cases of digestive ailments. There is absolutely no better mug of tea one can sip in the evening than chamomile tea because of its relaxing ability. In an anecdotal way, chamomile tea has many health issues because it is said that it has the capability that control stress levels and recover the immune system (9–11).
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is a healthy and effective remedy for stomach complaints such as bloating, indigestion, and nausea. Its sedative effect helps alleviate these symptoms. Peppermint tea also provides relief from headaches and enhances concentration levels, making it a preferred choice for those seeking mental alertness or nausea. Overall, peppermint tea offers numerous benefits (12–14).
Ginger Tea
This ginger tea is greatly preferred because of the warm-up feature that the tea has. Ginger aids digestion and helps relieve colds and nausea. It is most helpful for pregnant ladies with throat irritation and the flu. Ginger also boosts immunity, which makes it a perfect herbal tea for those who suffer from inflammation. It also relieves muscle pain and inflammation following activities that develop muscle strain and tiredness (15).
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a popular plant due to its high antioxidant levels and sour taste. It contains vitamin C, aids blood circulation, and reduces blood pressure. It also aids weight control by increasing metabolism and breaking down fat. The fruit is red, and it has lots of medicinal value that helps in the improvement of the heart and opens doors for weight loss (16).
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is a caffeine-free product that has antioxidants, which help reduce skin's oxidative stress, leading to improved skin clarity and fighting aging signs. It also helps to strengthen the immune system, which means that one can take it every day in the morning without taking caffeine.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon Balm tea is most effective for handling stress and anxiety. It has a calming effect and therefore it is helpful in sleep promotion and as an antiviral base. It treats anxiety, and the relaxation element has now been linked to sharpening one's thoughts as well (17).
Echinacea Tea
Echinacea tea is one of the common herbal teas consumed all over the world. This increases the body's immunity and shortens the time that one is sick. Taking it regularly helps in keeping away common diseases like colds and flu, which are most welcome during the flu seasons, as the remedy helps in boosting the immune system.
Lavender Tea
There exists lavender tea that has a floral smell, which is associated with relaxing effects and decreases anxiety. It helps you have good sleep quality because it eases your nerves. It brings about relaxation of your mind and body and thus should be taken when you feel stressed and frayed (18,19).
All of these herbal teas have various health effects on the body of a human being. As different in taste, these herbal teas are a natural means to provide flavor to our bodies. Everything is tackled, from sleep issues to digestive issues, stress, immune boosting, and whatever there is in between.
How To Make Herbal Tea At Home
Preparing herbal tea at home is always a fun task, and you get the freedom to choose your taste and needs. The choice of the right herbs makes up the basis of preparing the right herbal tea products. It is advised that the herbs that are used whether fresh or dried should be cleaned free from pesticides and chemicals, mainly if obtained from your backyard or local markets. The best way to enjoy the taste of the tea as well as its health benefits is to opt for organic tea whenever you can.
The second aspect of preparing herbal teas is boiling of water. Another factor of concern is the kind of water; the boiling point of the water should not be highly concentrated because this reduces the efficacy of the herbs. When making most herbal teas, it is advisable to boil the water and let it cool slightly and then pour it over the herbs. When adding the herbs, one should allow its soak for 5 to 10 minutes for strong kind of herbs to be used where necessary. But when you steep for more time than is recommended the taste eventually dwindles and the tea acquires a somewhat bitter undertone.
For the purpose of getting a better taste, You can add natural sweeteners to your blend, like honey, lemon or cinnamon, etc. These additives may enhance the health benefit of the tea and also add a good taste of the tea. For instance, lemon increases the vitamin C content while honey has anti microbial properties. When you are done with the herbs, all you need to do is discard them so you can enjoy your freshly made herbal tea, which has been made to your preference.
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Summary
In summary, due to the numerous advantages that come with the consumption of herbal teas, they would be of great importance in anyone's health regimen. Herbal teas are not only good for the digestive system and inflammation, but also for relaxation as well as for boosting the immunity system. Data on this traditional use with current scientific evidence makes herbal teas a reliable cure to some diseases. No matter if you want to unwind, relax, sleep better, or boost your immunity, there's most definitely an herbal tea for it.
It is possible to make the consumption of herbal teas interesting, besides making it part of one's requirement as a positive addition to one's diet. They come in different types, and this makes it easy to try out various blends as one is able to find what is best for them. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use certified organic herbs, and it is always advisable to seek medical advice before you decide on a herb to undertake, especially if you are under medication. Moderation always applies when it comes to herbal teas in order to take advantage of this free and natural source of good health.
Sources & Notes
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