Herbal Teas can be brewed using the leaves, flowers, and fruit of certain plants, but herbs and spices also make great teas and many can serve as natural remedies or just an enjoyable alternative to ordinary tea or coffee.
Herbal teas provide a good way to increase your fluid intake over the winter months when drinking plain water can be more of a challenge.
The great thing about herbal teas is that there are so many varieties that you can usually find one or more that suit your palate.
Some of my favorite teas include:
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Echinacea
- Jasmine
But there are many other varieties including Rose Hip, Passionflower, Tulsi, Lemon Balm, Sage, Lavender or Rosemary, to name a few.
Chamomile tea is made from the flowers of the plant and is great to calm the nervous system. It can be a good tea to consider if you struggle with anxiety or difficulty sleeping. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and can also support liver function and blood sugar balance.
Ginger Tea is very helpful for nausea, and it can also be helpful to relieve cramps and spasms in the body. It is also good to use with honey and lemon to soothe a sore throat. The ginger root is typically used, but ground ginger can also be used.
Peppermint tea is made from the leaves of the herb, and it is commonly used to support digestive function. It is helpful to alleviate cramps, spasms, and nausea. It works well after dinner to aid digestion.
Echinacea tea can be used for its anti-viral properties so can help if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms. This tea can be made from the roots, leaves, flowers, and stems of the plant, but the purple flowers and roots are most commonly used.
Jasmine tea, which is typically made from green tea and scented with the jasmine flower, is rich in antioxidants and can be useful for weight loss, cardiovascular health and its brain boosting benefits.
Rose-hip tea is made using the fruit of the rose plant and is high in vitamin C and antioxidants. It also has anti-inflammatory properties so can be a helpful dietary addition to relieve arthritis pain.
Passionflower tea is made using the stems and flowers of the passionflower plant and is usually beneficial for those struggling with anxiety and sleep troubles.
Tulsi, or Holy Basil, tea is known as the “Elixir of Life” which supports mood and can energize and stimulate the mind. It is also though to regulate hormonal function and it acts as an adaptogen which enables us to cope with stress better.
There are many more options available which can be bought as dried teas or in pre-packed tea bags.
As long as they are consumed without sugars and sweeteners, herbal teas can have multiple health-promoting effects and can be medicinal on multiple levels. Making your own herbal teas gives you the flexibility to make our own unique blends according to your personal taste. Many of these plants and herbs can be grown easily in our gardens which make herbal teas more accessible to us all.
Listen to my interview with Brad Kirsten from Radio Cape Pulpit on 8 July 2021 to learn more. Listen to my next interview on Thursday at 7.45am