Herbal tea is a traditional drink, which has been consumed for thousands of years. It is a mixture of several herbs and roots, which have been soaked in water and the herbal properties of the herbs have been absorbed into the water. The process of extracting the active ingredients from the herbs is called “decoction”. In recent years, there has been a great increase in the popularity of herbal tea among people who are looking for a healthier alternative to coffee and alcohol. In addition to that, it has also become a very popular health drink as well.
Herbal tea comes in many forms and flavors. Herbal teas are very diverse, as they can be based on flowers, fruits or vegetables. The main purpose of brewing herbal tea is to extract the nutrients from the herbs and make them more bioavailable by making them easier to absorb into your body.
There are two main types of teas, black tea and green tea. Both black and green teas are made by applying heat to an infusion or decoction made from the leaves of the plant used to make it. Decoction can be done either by simmering or boiling. This method helps release more nutrients than other forms because there is more surface area exposed to the heat.
This process is the same for both black and green teas. Green tea has a higher level of antioxidants than black tea. However, this is not due to any difference in the way they are made.
The health benefits of herbal tea are numerous, as it is made from natural ingredients. The many herbs and roots used in making herbal tea can help with reducing stress, anxiety, indigestion, pain and fatigue, among other things.
A study was conducted to determine whether there was a difference between green and black tea on the cardiovascular system of rats, since it is believed that this would be a similar situation to humans consuming them. The results showed that both green and black teas were effective in lowering blood pressure by 8%. This may be attributed to the fact that they both contain tannins, which are antioxidants found in plants.
There are many herbs used in making herbal tea including: nettle root, dandelion root, chamomile flower, rose hips, ginger root and licorice root among others. Some common herbs used include: dandelion root, lemon balm leaf or flower, peppermint leaf or flower, St John’s wort herb, cinnamon bark, cardamom seed, lavender flower, ginger root, garlic, thyme leaf or flower, sage leaf or flower, spearmint leaf or flower, yarrow herb, hops.
Benefits of Herbal Tea
Herbal tea has many benefits. It can help with pain, indigestion, inflammation, fever and even improve digestion. It is an excellent source of antioxidants which can help with fighting free radicals in the body. This can help to prevent cell damage and increase your body’s ability to fight diseases such as cancer.
It also contains a very low amount of caffeine and the majority of the caffeine that is found in herbal tea is naturally occurring, which means that it is not as harmful as regular coffee or tea. The benefits of herbal tea may be due to the fact that it contains many antioxidants such as: flavonoids, catechins and phenolic acids.
The amino acid L-theanine found in green tea can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. This is believed to be due to its effects on the neurotransmitters known as GABA and serotonin, which are responsible for regulating sleep and mood, among other things.
Herbal teas have a low glycaemic index because they contain a small amount of sugar or no sugar at all compared to regular tea or coffee, so they do not cause spikes in blood sugar levels. This can be very beneficial for people who have diabetes or those who are trying to lose weight.
Herbal tea is an excellent source of potassium, which is an essential mineral for many functions in the body. It can help to regulate the fluid balance in the body and also help to prevent blood pressure from becoming too high.
Top 5 Herbal Tea Brands
Here are some of the best herbal tea brands you find:
Organic Chai Loose Leaf Tea
This herbal tea is made of organic herbs, ginger, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon. The tea is blended in the USA. The ingredients are 100% organic, non-GMO and free of pesticides. The tea is brewed in 100% USDA certified organic chai tea bags (no aluminum).
Earth Mama Organic Peaceful Tea Bags
The tea bags are made of all natural ingredients. They are 100% organic and GMO free. They are free of parabens, sulfates, dyes and preservatives. The tea bags are also vegan.
Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile Herbal Leaf Tea
The tea is 100% organic and contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It is made from organically grown chamomile flowers and berries. The tea is also non-GMO and free of pesticides.
Bigelow Lemon Ginger Plus Probiotics Herbal Tea
The tea is free of caffeine and caffeine sources. It is made from all natural ingredients and is free of GMOs, parabens, sulfates, and synthetic colors. The tea is also gluten-free.
Teavana Beach Bellini Herbal Tea
The tea is made from all natural ingredients. It is caffeine free and free of GMOs, colours, preservatives and artificial flavours. The tea is also free of dairy and gluten.
