The Magic of (Herbal) Tea
Herbal teas, made by steeping the flowers, leaves, stems, roots or seeds of edible plants, are also known as tisane. A tisane is literally a drink made by pouring boiling water on dried or fresh flowers or leaves. In its traditional sense tisane is a medicinal drink or infusion made with barley. Herbal teas are distinguished from true teas (black, green, white, yellow, oolong) due to their lack of caffeine making them a great alternative if you are looking to cut down your caffeine intake and get some positive side effects in the process. Herbal teas can act as a stimulant or relaxant, making them the perfect choice at any time of the day.
Most herbal teas that are commercially available are safe for consumption (assuming you don't have any allergies - check the ingredients) but some medicinal tisanes, such as comfrey and lobelia, can be toxic in large quantities.
Herbal teas are available in supermarkets these days and there is a plentiful supply of organic varieties. I recommend, however, that you seek out higher-quality products. Companies like T2 are making tea much funkier but there are also less popular brands (like Happiness in a Teacup,) that produce awesome teas.
I recommend you go with loose leaf rather than a tea bag. There are a number of reasons for this.
The tea will be fresher. Stored in a sealed bag while transported with little air surrounding the leaves, loose teas are exposed to less moisture and retain their dried state (and subsequently their flavour) for longer
You will take a little longer when making your brew. This is be design. Deliberate ingestion is part of the beauty of tea. Take your time. Immerse yourself in a little ritual of self-love
Bagged teas often include a higher proportion of stems so you get a better quality product with a loose leaf
Multiple steepings. I am known to use the same teaspoon of tea leaves for up to half a day. Having loose leaves means you can re-steep multiple times without loss in quality
You're in control. You choose how much to use for each cup. You can load it up or eek it out gently according to your tastes so there's never any waste
Speaking of waste, there's less packaging with loose-leaf tea. Gotta love an option that's better for the environment!
There are so many herbal teas available. You can swap them around or stick to the one you love. My staple is peppermint tea as it aids digestion, promotes good sleep, improves concentration and boosts the immune system. Plus, I like the taste. But I have a cool rose option that I use with a standard herbal base when I am looking for something a bit different.
Herbal tea options and their associated benefits include
Angelica Root aids recovery from colds and fevers
Anise (sometimes called star anise) can ease gas and promote digestion
Bergamot (the main ingredient in Earl Grey) is said to have antidepressant properties
Blackberry is antioxidant rich
Cardamon is great for soothing indigestion, stomach pain and flatulence
Chamomile is known to have a calming effect both during the day and before bed
Cinnamon improves digestion and can assist with weight loss
Dandelion lowers fluid retention and eases pain (good for those with arthritis)
Dong Quai is considered an overall tonic for the female reproductive system, reducing menstrual cramping and PMS
Echinacea boosts immunity and is said to shorten the duration of the common cold
Fennel improves digestion
Ginger acts as a stimulator; is anti-inflammatory (all the rage at the moment) and aids with nausea so can be helpful with morning sickness
Hawthorn boosts circulation and improves cardiovascular health
Hibiscus is said to be good for high blood pressure and cholesterol
Kava root promotes detoxification
Lavender is calming and helps with thyroid conditions
Lemon balm for elastic arteries
Lemongrass is great served after dinner as it aids digestion
Liquorice aids in detoxifying the body and reducing inflammation and soothes spasms (such as menstrual cramps)
Milk thistle and dandelion cleanse the liver
Nettle is good for anaemia and reduces the risk of urinary tract infections
Passionflower relieves anxiety and improves sleep quality
Peppermint for aiding digestion promotes good sleep, improves concentration and boosts the immune system
Raspberry leaf is the go-to if you’re pregnant as it is said to relieve morning sickness and, later (and in higher doses), induce labour
Rooibos is the South African gem said to be effective with allergies
Rosehip is high in vitamin C which is great for skin health and is said to boost adrenal function
Sage is good for brain health and cognitive abilities by improving blood lipid levels
Thyme is great for coughs and colds
Valerian root lowers stress levels
