Home » Food & Cooking

The Health Benefits of Herbal Tea Explained

Ranked #40,496 in Food & Cooking, #1,105,162 overall | Donates to Squidoo Charity Fund

It is Commonly Known Worldwide that Herbal Tea is Good for Your Health

Herbal teas have long been associated with good health. Drinking such teas offers curative and preventive properties, with the practice now common worldwide after being limited initially to the orient. Herb-based teas are also being recommended with increased frequency by medical practitioners as an integral part of a daily health regimen. Another indication of how popular the beverage has become is that it is currently the second most-consumed drink in the world after water.

“Did you know that all tea comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis?”

Camellia Sinensis

This plant is an evergreen also known as the Tea Plant

An evergreen that works as the basic source, producing green, black and oolong teas depending on the processing approach. Oolong teas are semi-fermented, while the popular black tea uses fermented leaves and green tea uses unfermented leaves. Teas made from the plant contain polyphenols - a bioflavonoid type that have anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial properties.

“Did you know that 1cup of white tea has the same amount of antioxidants as 10cups of apple juice?”

Antioxidants

The main positive association linking health and teas

The main positive association linking health and teas is that infusions from the herbal drink offer high antioxidant content - the key factor in eliminating or preventing toxins from building up in the body. This detoxifying effect is needed, as toxins cause physical or mental diseases. Toxin accumulation can damage human cells and lead to cancers, and induce various forms of stress as the body is weakened.

Tea has also been found to lower the incidence of stroke and heart disease, and surpasses many fruits and vegetables in terms of the antioxidant effect. In addition, the antioxidants in herbal tea work on particular body parts. This focused cleansing effect is not achieved through other methods - some need a specific and additional action to flush out body toxins.

Herbal Remedies have been Scientiffically Proven to Work!

Ancient knowledge yesterday, common knowledge today

Thus, the health effect is based on science and not on any mysterious or magical theory. This scientific basis has also spurred research laboratories to pursue efforts in discovering an herbal remedy for life-threatening conditions and diseases. Despite this optimism, consumers must note that herbal teas remain primarily a supporting solution to traditional drugs and treatment for various ailments. Since the benefits cover all age brackets, a good number of herbal teas have become established for both common conditions and serious or chronic cases. The common cold or a congested chest can be treated with cinnamon, rosehip or hyssop-based blends. Stomach ailments can be relieved using ginger, cardamom and chamomile. Damiana, licorice, and motherwort have been effective for menstrual-related problems in women, while rice and raspberry are noted as diarrhea solutions.

“Dr. Oz says that you should drink about four cups of green tea a day.”

Dr. Oz suggests replacing Coffee with Green Tea

a good source of antioxidants

While Americans' number one source of antioxidants is from coffee, Dr. Oz says there are better hot beverages out there, like green tea.

Another great tea option is white tea. "It's not new-it's very old-and [has] been used for centuries for healing purposes."

White tea is from the same plant as green tea, but it's produced in a different way. While green tea is made of leaves dried to the point where the tea will be dark in color, white tea is made from an immature plant bud that isn't dried at all. Instead of steeping the leaves, white tea is steamed. Dr. Oz says the potential for medicinal benefits of white tea-beyond a very small amount of caffeine as compared with other kinds of tea and coffee-comes from this lack of drying.

Click here for Dr. Oz website and Q&A about Tea

Books by Dr. Oz

Loading

“Did you know that tea can help lessen your appetite? Good news for people who are dieting.”

Health Benefits of Common Herbs that are Used in Tea

Burdock, hawthorn, and nettle have been used for blood- and blood pressure-related cases.

Herbals such as Valerian and St John's Wort can help relieve individuals suffering from stress or other mental or emotional problem.

Yarrow and lemon balm may help strengthen the digestive system.

An individual with altitude sickness may feel better after a blend with mate de coca.

Okinawa natives believe that longevity is improved by drinking hibiscus, which is often mixed with rosehip.

It should be noted that herbal teas actually use ingredients such as seeds or roots, fresh or dried flowers and leaves. These plant parts are either placed in boiling water, or allowed to steep after the water is poured over them. The tea can then be served after remnants are strained and the flavor is adjusted to taste.

“To get the most flavor and benefits out of tea, brew it by loose leaf instead of by tea bag”

Disclaimer

Not all herbs can be used to make tea

Despite these extensive health benefits, care should still be taken before any individual drinks herbal tea, which is also referred to as an herbal infusion, ptisan or tisane. The basic tea combination involves dried herb, flower or fruit and boiling water. Of these ingredients, consumers must remember that not all herbs can be used to make tea. This means doing a bit of research to ensure that the herb to be mixed into the drink is safe for consumption.

Original source for information

Learn How to Make Herbal Teas

101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health & Vitality

"Herbal Herbalists Kathleen Brown and Jeanine Pollak present instructions and recipes for concocting herbal teas for good health and spirit. The instructions are simple to follow, and the recipes have catchy names, such as Raging Moods Tea, Heartthrob Cordial, Kiddie Calm, Hormone Helper, and Yummy Tummy-Tamer Tea. "Herbal Teas" is fun and easy to use. The aspiring herbalist will find information about gathering and storing herbs, and a 38-page reference section details the health benefits of 70 herbs. This book is beautifully designed - photographs abound on the inside, and the cover is virtually exciting. Display this 7.5-inch-square book by your cash register, because if customers open it, they will buy it." -- Ultra Books, Oakland, NJ, January/February 2000.


Product Description
This guide to blending and brewing healthful herb teas includes easy-to-make recipes and anecdotes from several renowned herbalists. Readers will find teas for the head and throat, digestion, nervous system, lungs, bones and joints, skin, and more.
Loading

Delight in a Wide Spectrum of Flavor and Tastes

try these loose tea blends

Click here for my recommended source for bulk teas

Here you will find a wide selection of herbs for tea as well as pre-made loose tea blends many of which are certified organic and are imported from the best growers located across the globe.

My Favoirte Ways to Brew Loose Leaf Tea

The French Press and a Tea Mug with an Infuser and a Lid

Examples of Use
The French Press (Great for making multiple cups of the same tea blend!)
Put the desired amount of loose tea blend into the bottom of container. Boil water separately and then pour into the container over the herbs. Stir and let steep for approx 10 min. with the mesh lid press on top, but not pushed down yet. After 10 min. push down mesh piece to the bottom and serve tea.

The Tea Mug with an Infuser and a Lid (Great for making a single cup especially when others in your household would like a different type of tea blend)
Put desired herbs into the infuser and place into mug. Boil water separately and then pour into cup. Next place lid over mug and allow tea to steep for approx 10 min. Finally take out the infuser piece and enjoy your tea.
Loading

Learn More about the Benefits of Using Herbs

Books and Reference Materials

Learn more about the natural benefits of herbs and their applications for promoting good health and healing.

Click Here for My Recommended Books and Reference Materials

Check out My Other Related Squidoo Lenses

If you enjoyed this lens you will definately love these!

Click on this link for Stress Relief with Nervine Herbs
Relax with a nice cup of tea, literally! Find out which herbs naturally help to alleviate stress, anxiety, and aid sleep.

Click on this link for Home Remedies for the Treatment of a Cold or Flu
Find out which herbs can be used to treat cold and flu symptoms.

Click on this link for The Uses of the herb Calendula
Discover the many uses for the herb Calendula as well as useful recipes.

"A Nice Cup of Tea" by George Orwell

Renowned English writer George Orwell's 11 Golden Rules for how to make the most perfect brew of tea.

Straight from his very own recipe collection, famous author George Orwell reveals his standards of what makes a good tasting, respectable cup of tea.

Click here to read the full article

Reader Feedback

I'd love to hear from you!

Show All

by

spiralzeve

Hi everyone! My name is Eve and I am a Squidoo addict. I really enjoy building lenses about natural, holistic, and crafty things because these are the... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags