The benefits of drinking tea have been known for thousands of years. First mentions of tea date back to 59 BC China where it was vastly used as a medicinal drink. During the rule of the Tang dynasty drinking tea became a trend that spread all over China and quickly took over other East Asian countries. Europe got the taste of Chinese tea blends only in the 16th century. It was brought to European countries by Portuguese merchants and priests. Now India and China are the biggest suppliers of teas in the world, but there are some other drinks as well that we call ‘teas’ that possess some outstanding medicinal qualities, as well as taste. Here are 11 herbal and medicinal teas to improve your health.
Green Tea
Green tea is known for its calming and relaxing properties. It is a powerful antioxidant and has high levels of caffeine, which makes it a powerful metabolism booster and a great drink to start the day. It also promotes cell growth and can become a great dietary supplement if you want to shed some pounds. It’s best to use water no more than 170 degrees to prepare green tea, otherwise it loses most of its health benefits.
White Tea
Being the least oxidized of all teas, the leaves of white tea possess special antibacterial properties and are known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Because it’s the least processed tea out of the whole bunch, it has the lowest caffeine levels, so you can easily drink it throughout the day as much as you want.
Black Tea
Not many people realize that green tea and black tea are basically the same leaf that has been exposed to oxygen for a longer period of time (hence, the black color of the leaves). Black tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world due to its taste and the ability to lower heart disease risk as well as boost the immune system. It’s also high on caffeine and will help you start the day in the morning.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea tastes amazingly and is good both cold and hot, with a hint or lemon and honey in it. It’s known to relieve stomach cramps and pains and improve digestion altogether. It also helps flush out toxins from your body and can greatly reduce stress levels, especially if taken before sleep. You can use both dried leaves and fresh ones from the plant, which you can easily grow yourself.
Saffron Tea
Saffron is not only an amazing spice, but it’s also been used as a medicinal plant for centuries in Southeast Asia and Greece. It adds an exquisite flavor to dishes and when you prepare it as a tea it can improve sight, cure eye diseases, and even help fight certain types of cancer due to its powerful antioxidant properties. Saffron tea is a great help with curing depression, PMS, and insomnia.
Rooibos Tea
This South African plant has been used by the native population since the dawn of time both for dishes and to create medicinal drinks. It has a pleasant sweet flavor with a hint of nuts in it and more antioxidants than any other drink. Packed with minerals like zinc, calcium, and magnesium, this amazing tea is used to treat various skin conditions, including acne. Drink a cup of rooibos even if you just want to relax or need help sleeping.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea stands somewhere between the green and the black tea, and features partially processed leaves that provide all the benefits of both types of tea. It’s known to promote weight loss and comes in a variety of tastes and flavors, including the famous milk Oolong tea with a sweet milky aroma that is considered one of the most exquisite flavors in the world.
Ginger Tea
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have been known in Asia for centuries. It’s packed full with antihistamine and can easily cure colds, allergies, and even motion sickness! Ginger root is an amazing supplement for cooking, but when prepared as a tea with a bit of lemon and honey, it becomes a yummy medicine that is especially beneficial during cold winter months as this drink boosts the immune system like no other.
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of those herbs that’s been known to mankind for ages as a calming and soothing drink that relieves stress and helps the body relax. It is also great for improving digestion and can become a great aid in treating bronchitis, cough, and other lung diseases.
Yerba Mate
The amazing yerba mate tea is prepared from stems and leaves of a rainforest tree you can find growing in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It’s one of the most powerful (and healthy!) energy drinks known to mankind as it combines all the benefits of tea, coffee, and chocolate. The leaves of yerba mate tree contain 15 amino acids, 24 vitamins, and more antioxidants than we can count. It increases oxygen intake and delivers one of the most incredible and subtle energy boosts that lasts for hours. It can be consumed hot, cold, with honey and milk, lemon, or mixed with dried berries and other herbs for various tastes.
Cardamom
Mostly known as a highly aromatic spice, cardamom can also be used to create a delicious medicinal tea. This flavorful drink can be prepared with both seeds and dried flowers, and is known to help with digestion and respiratory problems. Pair it with black tea, milk, honey, and you’ll have an amazing immune system booster for winter and spring.
