Despite being known as teas, herbal teas aren’t brewed from tea leaves from the leaves Camellia sinensis plant (unlike other popular non-milk teas such as green tea, black tea, oolong tea). These teas are brewed from dried flowers, herbs or spices.
Herbal teas have gained popularity in recent years due to their relaxing nature and the multiple health benefits they have to offer. Here’s your guide to herbal teas 101.
Advantages of Herbal Tea:
- Herbal teas can be of great help in reducing body pains such as cramps, sprains, etc.
- They are also great for flushing out toxins to help you clear up your skin.
- Herbal tea is known to increase brain function and improve your focus.
- They are rich in antioxidants that contain anti-ageing properties.
- Some variants of herbal teas such as chamomile and lemon balm help in reducing anxiety.
Methods of preparing Herbal Tea:
Two methods used for the preparation of Herbal teas are infusion or decoction. Infusion is where boiling water is poured over the dry tea. In contrast, decoction involves placing the dry material into the hot water to release flavour and aroma.
Types of Herbal Tea:
- Peppermint tea: It is known to relieve digestion problems such as nausea, cramping, ingestion, etc.
- Hibiscus tea: It helps with blood pressure and helps with stress.
- Chamomile tea: It is known for its calming properties and is also known to balance insulin levels. Chamomile is also recommended for treating cough, bronchitis and inflammation of the mouth.
- Ginger tea: It’s known to improve digestion, and it helps pregnant women with their morning sickness.
- Rooibos tea: Rooibos is being studied by a scientist about how it can improve one health. It is comparatively a new tea in the market.
- Sage Tea: It improves cognitive function and brain health.
- Lemon balm tea: This tea is rich in antioxidants and improves heart and skin health.
- Rosehip tea: Rosehip is rich in Vitamin C, and some studies have also shown that it relieves pain from arthritis.
- Passion Flower tea: This tea is made from the stem and flowers of the passionflower. It improves your sleep function and helps you cope with anxiety.
- Echinacea Tea: An excellent remedy for the common cold, echinacea tea is proven to boost the immune system.
Indian Brands selling Herbal Teas:
- Tetley: One of the first brands to introduce herbal teas into the Indian market, Tetley’s teas are sugar-free and cost-effective.
- Organic India: A leading player in the industry right now, organic India is known for its classic tulsi tea. They also offer other variants such as chamomile, peppermint, etc.
- Vahdam India: This is a homegrown new brand that offers organic herbal tea of any varieties.
- Amrutam: is an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Brand and a Wellness Community. They offer herbal teas to detoxify the body naturally.