Whether you’re seeking relaxation, digestion relief, or a boost to your immune system, why not reach for a comforting cup of herbal tea? Embrace the soothing properties and embark on a journey towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Understanding Herbal Tea:
Unlike traditional teas that come from the Camellia sinensis plant, herbal teas are made from various parts of other plants like leaves, flowers, seeds, or roots. This makes them versatile in terms of flavors, aromas, and most importantly, medicinal properties.
Types of Herbal Teas and Their Benefits:
- Lemon grass -Decreases blood pressure which prevents hypertension. Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic.
- Soursop– Sour sop leaves are 25% anticancer, (17%) antiulcer, 14% antidiabetic, 10% antiprotozoal 8% antidiarrhea, 8% antibacterial, 8% antiviral, 6% antihypertensive, and 4%wound healing.
- Rosemary tea -Rosemary is best used dried. Anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, relieves mental fatigue and stress, relieves
- Raspberry leaf – These leaves are great for the reproductive system, strengthen the womb as well as great for lactating moms. Also helps with regulating menstrual flow.
- Sarsaparilla- This is used as an iron supplement and can be paired with raspberry leaf for the reproductive system or used by itself.
- Dandelion– This is a detoxing herb, it helps remove toxins from the body
- Spanish needle– This is found mostly in Caribbean rural areas. This is used to cleanse and purify the blood
- Vervain – Strengthen lung, liver and kidney
- Moringa – lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, regulates glucose, liver damage, and heart disease.
- Chamomile Tea: Known for its calming effects, chamomile tea can help reduce anxiety, promote better sleep, and soothe an upset stomach. Chamomile tea, made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant, is renowned for its calming effects. It aids in relieving anxiety, promoting better sleep, and even soothing digestive ailments like bloating or indigestion.
- Peppermint Tea: Refreshing and invigorating, peppermint tea aids digestion, relieves headaches, and provides relief from sinus congestion. The refreshing taste of peppermint tea is often enjoyed after meals to aid digestion. It can relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reduce nausea, and alleviate headaches. Additionally, peppermint tea acts as a natural decongestant, helping to clear up sinus congestion or cold symptoms.
- Ginger Tea: With its warming properties, ginger tea is excellent for easing nausea, reducing inflammation, and improving digestion.
- Rooibos Tea: Packed with antioxidants, rooibos tea supports heart health, boosts the immune system, and may even help with skin conditions like eczema Originating from South Africa, rooibos tea is a caffeine-free herbal infusion that is rich in antioxidants. It supports heart health, boosts the immune system, and has anti-inflammatory properties. With its deliciously sweet flavor, rooibos tea is a perfect choice for those looking for a soothing and healthy beverage.
- .Ginger tea, brewed from fresh ginger root, is known for its warming properties. It aids in digestion, reduces inflammation, and may help alleviate menstrual pain. Ginger tea is also a popular choice when combating nausea, motion sickness, or morning sickness during pregnancy.
- Lavender Tea: Fragrant and relaxing, lavender tea promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and aids in better sleep.
- Echinacea Tea:
Echinacea tea is recognized for its immune-boosting properties. It helps prevent and reduce the duration of colds and flu by strengthening the immune system. This herbal tea is often enjoyed during the winter months to ward off pesky illnesses. - Lemon Balm Tea:
Lemon balm tea is a fragrant infusion that promotes relaxation and reduces stress. It can aid in improving sleep quality, easing restlessness, and enhancing mood. Additionally, lemon balm tea has been known to support cognitive function and improve memory.
Teas have 12 categories
- Strong
- fresh
- refreshing
- sweet
- smooth
- rich
- mellow
- dull
- coarse but plain
- coarse but astringent
- bitter and astringent
- plain
How to Prepare Herbal Tea:
How to dry herbs before consuming
Herbs can be airdried in an open space for days or weeks to get them to the preferred dryness.
Microwave drying is not recommended, some of the very best elements could be destroyed.
Freeze dry for 12 hrs then remove and finish air drying. This is a good method too.
Making herbal tea is a simple and enjoyable process.
Oven-drying: the drying time is also fast by using heat to cause the water evaporation from the plant. Unlike microwave drying, in this process, the phytochemicals are better preserved.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to prepare after drying herbs
- Boil water in a kettle.
- Place the desired quantity of herbs in a teapot or a cup.
- Pour the hot water over the herbs and let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a mug, add sweeteners if desired, and enjoy!
Herbal Tea Safety:
While herbal teas are generally safe, it’s essential to be cautious and follow a few guidelines:
- Consult with a healthcare professional if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking medications that may interact with certain herbs.
- Avoid excessive consumption of certain herbal teas, as they may have mild to moderate side effects.
- Double-check the safety of herbs before brewing tea, as some may be problematic during pregnancy or for specific individuals.
Tea Time Esthetics
Tea time started many years ago. , Did you know Tea was a major thing in Japan many years ago? Tea is a common drink in every culture. In China, 212 million tons of tea is accounted for and used daily, in an African household black tea and mint are common, and in a Caribbean household mint and ginger are common, in an Indian household Assam tea is common.
Studies have shown that even though some countries are poorer than others they love tea along with how it’s served. People still have a good eye for tea wares. Ceramics are common. Ceramic Cups can have flaring mouths, contracted mouths, narrow mouths, and open mouths.
The shape of the cups determines the taste of the tea. Adjusting the cup to get any of the desired 12-category tea tastes as listed above is possible. Choosing the right cup is crucial for a sensational tea-drinking experience. A crucial tip to getting that experience from tea drinking is to ensure hands and lips are in direct contact with the cup, then ensure your eyes and nose are engaged to create that sensational experience.
References
Silva H, Bárbara R. Exploring the Anti-Hypertensive Potential of Lemongrass-A Comprehensive Review. Biology (Basel). 2022 Sep 22;11(10):1382. doi: 10.3390/biology11101382. PMID: 36290288; PMCID: PMC9598547.
Mutakin M, Fauziati R, Fadhilah FN, Zuhrotun A, Amalia R, Hadisaputri YE. Pharmacological Activities of Soursop (Annona muricata Lin.). Molecules. 2022 Feb 10;27(4):1201. doi: 10.3390/molecules27041201. PMID: 35208993; PMCID: PMC8878098.