Enjoy the multiple benefits of herbal tea

By now most are aware of the benefits of drinking herbal teas, whether you’re a tea drinker or not.

For the die-hard coffee lovers: A beginner’s guide to drinking espresso 

What is herbal tea?

Herbal tea isn’t really made from tea-which is a specific kind of plant. The French use the word tisane, which is a little more accurate, since herbal tea is really just an infusion of leaves, seeds, roots or bark, extracted in hot water. In drinking a well-steeped herbal tea, we get all the plant’s benefits in an easily digestible form.

The benefits

‘In a lot of ways, we might get more benefit from a good organic tea than from a vitamin pill,’ says herbalist Marianne Beacon of Elderberry Herbals in Peterborough, Ont. “You’re getting the benefits of hydration. There’s the social element: Tea is something that you can share with people. And when you’re drinking herbal tea, you get aromatherapy at the same time’and that’s something you don’t get from a tablet!’

A wide variety to choose from 

Peppermint tea

Experts recommend drinking peppermint tea to relieve the symptoms of abdominal gas and bloating, and to relieve muscle spasms. It’s also good for nausea and for heating up the body and making it sweat.

Ginger tea

Another great digestive aid, ginger can be used to curb nausea, vomiting or upset stomach due to motion sickness. Make fresh ginger tea by simmering a piece of ginger root on the stove for 10 to 15 minutes – add fresh lemon juice and honey when you have a cold for a powerful germ-fighting combination.

Chamomile tea

A gentle calming and sedative tea made from flowers, chamomile tea can be helpful for insomnia. It can also be helpful with digestion after a meal. Experts recommend chamomile in cases of cough and bronchitis, when you have a cold or fever, or as a gargle for inflammation of the mouth.

Rooibos tea

High in vitamin C as well as other minerals, rooibos has all sorts of health benefits. An easy drinking tea, it’s largely grown in South Africa and has been touted for its antioxidant properties which may in turn help ward off disease and the signs of aging. It has also been shown to help with common skin concerns, such as eczema.

Lemon balm tea

An easy-to-grow plant, lemon balm is helpful for lifting the spirits. It is said that lemon balm is safe for children and may help prevent nightmares when consumed before bed. This herb also makes a refreshing iced tea, and can be flavoured with lemon or maple syrup.

Milk thistle and dandelion tea

When consumed as a tea, milk thistle or dandelion are gentle liver cleansers. They help the liver to regenerate and function at a higher capacity. They can also assist in the production of bile, which can help with our digestive process.

Rosehip tea

Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant and are one of the best plant sources of vitamin C, which is important for the immune system, skin and tissue health and adrenal function. Consider reaching for rosehip tea next time you need a health boost.

Information sourced from Best Health.

Learn how to grow the herbs and make your own concoction with the simple method explained in Tasty Vegetarian‘s video:

https://www.facebook.com/tastyvegetarian/videos/1903647949897086/

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