Herbal teas, often overshadowed by fizzy beverages or fruit juice, contain many health-promoting ingredients and have been used as natural medicines for centuries. As well as being caffeine-free, herbal tea is packed with antioxidants which work to fight free radicals in the body – unstable atoms that cause disease and accelerate ageing – thus making drinking herbal tea every day an easy way of increasing antioxidant consumption and keeping yourself and body healthy.
Herbal tea is created by steeping plant roots, stems, flowers or leaves in hot water to extract their therapeutic properties. Also referred to as tisanes, these non-caffeinated beverages feature blends of herbs, spices or fruits with proven health benefits; from soothing chamomile teas to the exotic flavor of hibiscus varieties – each offers its own set of therapeutic advantages for our wellbeing.
There are various varieties of herbal tea, so it’s essential to find one that meets your specific needs. For instance, rooibos tea is a caffeine-free herbal drink packed with antioxidants which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure while combating diabetes. Dandelion tea provides additional health-promoting goodness such as vitamin K (which supports bone health), flavonoids, coumarin alkaloids tannins and tyrosine to give an array of health-promoting compounds a boost.
Other herbal teas you should try include:
Peppermint tea has long been used as a natural way to relieve an upset stomach and can be an effective treatment for constipation, IBS and motion sickness. Packed full of menthol – an anti-inflammatory agent – peppermint also eases tension headaches while passionflower tea offers relaxation while simultaneously helping regulate blood sugar levels.
Herbal tea can be an effective tool in their quest to shed unwanted pounds, as its naturally low caloric intake may help. Studies suggest rooibos tea may aid in weight loss while hibiscus tea contains nutrients to improve skin health and fight signs of ageing.