Posted: 24/09/2019
Herbal teas have been around for centuries, and still today they are drunk throughout the world for their health-promoting properties, proving to be an incredibly popular alternative to sugary beverages or water. Some teas, like green tea and oolong tea are brewed from the leaves of the Camellia Sinesis plant, while others are made from dried fruits, spices, herbs and flowers. Let’s take a look at 7 herbal teas we think you should be drinking to promote your health!
Made from dried chamomile flowers, chamomile tea contains chemicals called flavonoids, which play a significant role in chamomile’s medicinal effects. There are huge benefits to drinking this tea, one of which is its role in helping people to achieve better quality of sleep. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bed can help you relax and fall asleep quicker, leading to a good, long and uninterrupted night’s sleep. Chamomile tea can also help to lower blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and may contribute to cancer prevention.
Great for… sleep.
Native to Europe and Asia, and used for thousands of years for its pleasant, minty taste and health benefits, peppermint is an aromatic herb in the mint family. While peppermint tea is often drunk for its flavour, it also has many benefits that promote good health. Peppermint tea is widely known to help with digestion, helping to relieve gas, bloating and indigestion, and helps to reduce the frequency and severity of abdominal pain. As a pain reliever, it’s thought that peppermint tea can also help with relieving headaches. It’s also believed that the tea helps freshen your breath, relieve clogged sinuses, and reduce daytime fatigue.
Great for… reducing fatigue.
It is often claimed that green tea is the healthiest beverage on the planet, and with good reason. It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. The large levels of antioxidants reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells from damage. Free radicals play a role in ageing and other diseases, so green tea is hugely beneficial for its antioxidants alone. Green tea is also known to help improve brain function, increase fat burning, improve dental health, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Great for… detoxing.
With its high levels of Vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals, ginger tea is extremely beneficial for your health. Not only can it help prevent nausea and vomiting, ginger tea can improve stomach performance, reduce inflammation, fight respiratory problems and strengthen immunity. Ginger tea also contains calming properties that may help lower stress and tension, and can improve blood circulation which can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Great for… preventing nausea.
Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea that’s made by steeping parts of the hibiscus plant in boiling water, and has a wide range of health benefits. Hibiscus contains high levels of antioxidants which help to prevent free radicals damaging cells, and may boost liver health, helping to keep it running efficiently. An impressive benefit of hibiscus tea, is that it may help to lower blood pressure, and low blood pressure decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Great for… liver health.
Turmeric tea is a popular way of consuming turmeric, a bright yellow-orange spice used in curries and sauces. The spice has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties, and drinking turmeric tea has a lot of benefits for your health. Its strong anti-inflammatory properties help to ease inflammation and swelling, and it may also help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Turmeric can also boost the immune system, keeping you healthy and able to fight off disease.
Great for… your immune system.
Consumed in South Africa for centuries, Rooibos tea has become a popular drink throughout the rest of the world. It’s flavourful, caffeine-free, and has a lot of benefits that help promote body health. In addition to being loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, this tea has been tied to bone health protection, improved digestive health and obesity prevention. It also provides small amounts of minerals including magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and zinc.
Great for… your digestion.
Drinking herbal teas can have both short-term and long-term benefits for your body and your mind. They can come in a variety of flavours, all with different benefits that can make you healthier and happier. So whether you take chamomile for sleeping better, peppermint to aid digestion, or turmeric to boost your immunity, herbal teas can provide you with a host of benefits for optimal health. And these 7 teas are just the start. There’s a wide variety of teas out there that can change how your body feels for the better. So what are you waiting for? Put down the Coca Cola and the energy drinks and switch to herbal teas today. You’ll definitely feel the difference!