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What is Herbal Tea? A Guide to the Top Benefits of This Healthy Drink
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What is Herbal Tea? A Guide to the Top Benefits of This Healthy Drink

General Health

Author:

Charlotte Couch

Herbal teas have been around for hundreds of years. However, popularity and demand for the soothing drink has surged over the past decade. And it’s about time people recognize the amazing qualities that herbal teas bring to the table. Many of them offer a variety of mental, emotional, and physical benefits.

For those interested in taking a holistic approach to their well-being, herbal teas are an essential addition to their routine. Still not sure what the fuss is all about? Read on to learn why herbal teas are such a huge staple now!

A Quick Beginner’s Guide to Herbal Tea

We’ll start with a quick rundown of herbal tea and why it’s so popular

Herbal tea has been around for centuries. Many people are still starting to discover their abundance of benefits.

Fun fact: herbal tea is not technically tea. Unlike most teas, herbal tea is not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. It’s actually made from a blend of plants such as flowers, roots, or even fruit.

Some people actually refer to herbal teas as tisanes, as they find this term more accurate than the former. No matter what you call it, herbal tea is widely recognized for its satisfying taste and nutritious properties.

Nutritional information

Herbal teas tend to be low in calories. Many of them are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. Most herbal teas do not contain caffeine, which is why they are such a great sleep aid. Because of all these great properties, herbal tea offers numerous health benefits like anxiety relief and improved digestion.

Different varieties and flavors of herbal tea

As we mentioned before, herbal teas can be made from a variety of sources like flowers, leaves, fruit peels, and seeds. Because of this, you’ll find dozens of different herbal teas out on the market. Some of the most popular varieties include:

  • Chamomile tea
  • Peppermint tea
  • Ginger tea
  • Hibiscus tea
  • Echinacea tea
  • Sage tea
  • Lemon balm tea
  • Chai tea
  • Passionflower tea

Each tea offers its own unique flavors and benefits. For instance, chamomile tea is often used for stomach ailments and heartburn. Ginger tea is full of anti-oxidants that are known to reduce stress and strengthen immunity. Don’t be afraid to try out different varieties!  

Great foods to pair with your herbal tea

Not only are herbal teas great for the mind and body, but they also pair well with different dishes and desserts! Fruit-based herbal teas tend to go well with tart desserts while teas with more earth tones pair well with soups. You can never go wrong with a peppermint tea and chocolate bar either!

Where to find herbal tea

You can typically find herbal tea at different supermarkets, health-focused food stores, and even farmers markets. It’s also possible to make your own herbal tea at home. But if you don’t have the time to hunt for tea in the grocery store or make a pot for yourself, you can also purchase herbal tea online.

Top 9 Benefits of Herbal Tea

Herbal tea offers great health benefits

Herbal teas can benefit both your mental and physical well-being.

Want to live a happier and healthier life? Making small changes and additions to your routine can make a huge difference. One addition you’ll definitely want to include is herbal tea. Here’s why.

1. Relaxation and stress reduction

Life can get pretty stressful. With long work hours, family commitments, and personal obligations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Drinking herbal tea can help ease stress and anxiety. Chamomile, peppermint, and lemon balm tea in particular are known to help with stress reduction.

2. Improve blood pressure and circulation

Herbal teas can also help improve your blood pressure and circulation thanks to their high levels of anti-oxidants. Numerous studies have found that drinking hibiscus tea can help lower blood pressure.

3. Aid in better digestion

Dealing with indigestion? Try some ginger or chamomile tea. These herbal teas are known to absorb gas and improve blood flow in the body. They can also reduce acid reflux by strengthening the muscles in your stomach and esophagus.

4. Lower bad cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is considered to be the bad type of cholesterol because of its tendency to accumulate in blood vessels. This puts you at risk of experiencing a heart attack or a stroke. So, a general rule of them is to keep your LDL cholesterol levels low. Drinking hibiscus tea can help you keep your cholesterol levels in check.

5. Immune system boost

Turmeric, ginger, licorice root, and peppermint teas are known to help boost your immune system. Many of the teas contain compounds and microbial properties that help ward off potential illnesses.

6. Pain relief

Feeling some aches and pains? Pour yourself a cup of herbal tea. Ginger, lemongrass, and chamomile teas are great for reducing inflammation and sore muscles.

7. Chronic disease prevention

It’s common for people in Asia to drink herbal tea as a way to prevent diabetes. This is because herbal teas contain substances called polyphenols that widen the arteries, thereby lowering one’s blood pressure and preventing blood clots from forming.

8. Brain function stimulation

Herbal tea increases blood flow to the brain. As a result, your brain gets necessary nutrients and essential oxygen needed for a nice boost!

9. Better sleep

When is the last time you got a good night’s sleep? Before you go to bed, unwind with some herbal tea. This caffeine-free remedy may be just what you need to get those much-deserved Z’s.

Herbal teas make a great addition to any healthy lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a drink that can help you unwind before bed or you just want to try something new and tasty, herbal teas are a great option.

What herbal teas do you think you’ll try first? Drop us a line and tell us your top picks!

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