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Herbal Tea

Herbal tea has been imbibed nearly as long as written history extends. Also known as a tisane or herbal infusion, an herbal tea is simply the combination of boiling water and dried fruit, flower or herb. Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water. Whether it is black, green or red (oolong) tea, they all contain polyphenols which give tea its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants may help protect our body from free radical damage.

People have used herbal teas for centuries, first for medicinal use, and later for enjoyment as tasty and refreshing beverages. Not all herbs are suitable for making tea, so become informed on each particular herb before ingesting a tea made from it.

The Health benefits of herbal teas

The steps involved in making both enjoyable beverages and medicinal teas are pretty much the same. The major difference is that when making medicinal teas, more attention should be paid to covering the water pot as much as possible to entrap the beneficial properties of the herb. While the aroma of the tea is part of the enjoyment for making beverages, there should be no aroma when making teas for medicinal uses.

There are a variety of alternatives to everyday tea and coffee. Many people are now turning to these alternatives to avoid the ingredient caffeine. Although caffeine in moderate amounts is not harmful, excessive consumption has been linked to health conditions that include heart disorders, cystic breast disease and high blood pressure. Herbal teas are made from leaves, flowers, roots, bark and seeds; singularly or in different combinations. Spices are sometimes added for extra zing and medicinal value.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of polyphenols. Some studies indeed suggested that tea's polyphenols may reduce risk of gastric, esophageal and skin cancers if one consumes 4 to 6 cups daily. Other laboratory studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels.

Some herbal tea recipes are :-

Chinnamon herbal tea - Really good herbal tea to take during a cold !

Ginger Tea - This is especially nice for a nervous stomach and cold !

Hyssop herbal tea - It is very good to treat colds and congestion !

Herbal tea for insomnia - It is very good herbal tea to treat insomnia !

Nursing mother's herbal tea - This herbal tea helps to promote the secretion of breast milk in nursing mothers !

Peppermint herbal tea - This herbal tea recipe helps to break a fever by causing the patient to perspire !

Rice herbal tea - This herbal tea is really good to stop vomiting or diarrhea fast !

Rosehip herbal tea - Drink this tea whether you have a cold or not !

St. John's Wort Tea - This tea has proved helpful with bronchitis and whooping cough !

Sweating herbal tea - If profuse sweating is desired, drink this herbal tea every hour !