Tea is not only a delicious drink that can be served hot or cold, but it also is a drink that has an immense health property to it. There are many types of herbal tea available, making it the perfect drink for literally everyone. Whether you are trying to sleep better at night or want to just add something healthy into your drink mix, herbal teas are a great place to start. There are numerous health benefits of different types of herbal tea, and it is recommended for a healthy diet to add some of these teas into your rotation. Not only that, but teas may help with some medical issues that otherwise would need medications. If you prefer to go the all-natural route with caring for your body, we've got the information you need on the benefits of herbal teas.
Different teas have been touted as the cure-all for years, with many countries serving tea with every meal, ensuring that they get plenty of it during each day. While the popularity in the East has always been there, the Western countries are a little slower to jump on board, but the popularity and health benefits of tea are becoming more and more well known in the United States. However, with the Standard American Diet pushing things such as sugary coffee drinks and sodas, there is still a lot of work to do. Recognizing that you can do more for your diet is a good start, and we have all the information you'll need to add the herbal teas you need to your diet.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile teas, like all the teas on this list, are caffeine-free, so you won't get a jolt of energy from these teas, but you will feel calmer, as it has a bit of a soothing, calming effect. There is scientific evidence to back up the claims that chamomile tea is beneficial for anxiety, insomnia, and even limited evidence proving it can help treat muscle spasms. Historically, it has also been used in other countries to treat skin ulcers, though there is no evidence of scientific trials to confirm if it works. While most teas are great to drink, some tea drinkers may want to avoid this tea due to allergies to the plant. If you have an allergy to ragweed or chrysanthemums, you will also want to avoid chamomile tea, as you could have an allergic reaction that could cause redness and swelling.
Rooibos Tea
This is another herbal tea that has a nice nutty flavor that blends well with other flavors, such as vanilla. While there are many claims about this form of tea helping to prevent cancer, help with inflammation, relieve sweets cravings, and improve bone health, the only one that has even a small amount of research to back it up is the bone health improvement. However, that doesn't mean that this tea doesn't have natural benefits that may help with cancer and other illnesses. It just means the research is not there yet.
Ginger Tea
If you've ever had an upset stomach, you may have reached for a bottle of ginger ale or even a ginger candy to suck on. Ginger tea is also a great option, as it helps with digestion and heartburn. Ginger is also known for reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and helping to support a healthy immune system. These benefits come into the tea because fresh ginger itself is a powerful superfood. When made into tea, it's a soothing beverage that can be enjoyed in the morning or evening.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is not just for the holiday season! In fact, peppermint tea is a refreshing beverage that can and should be enjoyed year-round, especially for its health properties. Much like ginger, peppermint tea is often used to help support the digestive tract, and several studies have shown peppermint is beneficial for our stomachs. However, it also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Most of these benefits have yet to be studied on humans, but they certainly are not harmful.
Hibiscus Tea
A refreshing option, hibiscus tea is made from the colorful flowers of the hibiscus plant. Not only does it offer a refreshing tart taste and look beautiful, it also has anti-viral properties, and test-tube studies have shown the extract to be very effective against certain strains of the bird flu. Unfortunately, no evidence has been found supporting that it can help you fight off the flu by drinking it, but it has been found to positively affect high blood pressure.
These are just a few of the herbal teas that you can easily add to your lifestyle. Whether you have it first thing in the morning before you start your workday or you enjoy it in the evenings when winding down after a long day, you are taking time to sit and relax, which provides health benefits in itself. Enjoying a cup of herbal tea, hot or iced, maybe just what you need to add some healthy choices to your day.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5059367/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23333908/
