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Herbal Tea - Health Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

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Herbal tea is a beverage with smell, taste, and healing effects. To know more about herbal tea, read this article.

Written by

Hemamalini. R

Medically reviewed by

Dr. J. N. Naidu

Published At December 11, 2023
Reviewed AtDecember 11, 2023

Introduction

Even though most people still prefer regular tea with milk and sugar, herbal tea is more popular since it is far healthier for the body than regular tea. Additionally, because it comes in a variety, everyone can choose from a wide range of flavors. They can select a single flavor or broaden their tastes depending on their preferred flavor or level of nourishment. Chamomile tea, ginger tea, cinnamon tea, dandelion tea, echinacea tea, fennel tea, ginseng tea, and ginkgo tea are a few of the most well-liked herbal drinks. All of these can assist you in overcoming digestive issues, reducing arthritis pain, and getting a good night's sleep. Let us discuss herbal tea and its benefits in this article.

What Is Herbal Tea?

Herbal tea is a beverage with smell, taste, and healing effects. The term "herbal tea" was first used in ancient times, and it comes from the Greek word "ptisane," which means mashed barley. But when we approach China, they refer to it as Liang Cha, which refers to Cooling Tea. Herbal teas are supposed to chill the body by regulating body temperature, according to Chinese culture. People typically drink herbal tea to recover when they are ill. Herbal tea has a number of health advantages, including calming the body, lowering body temperature, alleviating upset stomach, and lowering fluid retention. Various plants are added to water to make herbal tea, which can then be served hot or cold depending on the user's desire.

What Are the Common Ingredients in a Cup of Herbal Tea?

Herbal tea contains a wide variety of plants, each with a distinct usage and function. Typical ingredients include:

  • Chrysanthemum: This flower has a sweet taste and can help with fever-related body heat. Additionally, it neutralizes toxins and aids in liver damage prevention.

  • Chamomile: It is well known for its relaxing effects and is also reported to be anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.

  • Cinnamon: It is relaxing and aids with circulation and digestion.

  • Ginger root: It is one of the greatest herbs for digestion, nausea, lung congestion, and arthritis. It also works wonders for circulation improvement.

  • Ginseng: It boosts energy and keeps the body healthy.

  • Peppermint: It is useful for stress relief. Additionally, it aids with digestion, soothes the stomach, and improves breath.

  • Parsley: A diuretic that aids renal function.

  • Rose Hips: They are an organic source of bioflavonoids and vitamin C. They are effective for treating weariness, colds, and coughs because they are liver, kidney, and blood tonics.

  • Red Clover: It is used to treat menopausal symptoms, cancer, mastitis, joint issues, asthma, bronchitis, psoriasis, and eczema. It is not advised for young children, expectant mothers, or nursing mothers.

  • Slippery Elm: It relieves gastrointestinal discomfort, including cramps in the stomach.

  • Sarsaparilla: Supports vigor and glowing skin.

What Are the Uses of Herbal Tea?

Herbal teas are a type of beverage created by steeping various herbs in both hot and cold water. Herbs and spices can both be found in herbal teas. It is also beneficial to the body because it lacks caffeine. People drink various kinds of herbal tea all around the world to cleanse their bodies and re-energize their senses. People also drink herbal teas to rid their bodies of a variety of illnesses, including infections, inflammation, infections, colds, and coughs. Herbal tea, which lessens acne and thoroughly cleanses the skin, has recently become a significant marketing statement for healthy skin.

What Is the Nutritional Value of Herbal Tea?

Whatever type of herbal tea you are drinking, it is quite nutritious. As was previously said, herbal teas are incredibly nutritious. One cup of herbal tea, which is about 8 fl oz or 100 g, is the standard for nutritional value. The list of nutrients in 100g or a cup of herbal tea includes the following:

  • Herbal tea contains up to 0.005g of saturated fat, or almost 0%.

  • It contains up to 0.012 g and 0.002 g of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, respectively.

  • Herbal tea has 0 mg of cholesterol or 0%.

  • In herbal tea, sodium and potassium are also present in very minute amounts-roughly 2 mg and 21 mg, respectively.

  • Herbal tea is devoid of sugars and dietary fiber.

  • Vitamins A and C are included in it.

What Are the Health Benefits of Herbal Tea?

The top health advantages of herbal tea are listed below.

  • Relieves Colds and Coughs: Cough and cold are typical problems that can be alleviated by drinking herbal tea produced from the 'elder tree.' It eases throat discomfort, lessens nasal congestion, and treats colds and coughs. Clove tea, ginger tea, and licorice tea are further herbal drinks that are effective against colds and coughs.

  • Boost Iron in the Body: Iron is required for the production of red blood cells (RBC) in both men and women to maintain optimal hemoglobin levels. Therefore, since herbal teas are rich in calcium, iron, silica, and other vital minerals, they are the greatest for preventing mineral deficiencies. A regular cup of Nettle tea with increased iron content is beneficial to the health of the bones, teeth, nails, and hair.

  • Prevent Infection: Ginger herbal tea is beneficial to drink if there is a mild infection. According to a study, ginger possesses anti-fungal properties and helps treat infections, particularly yeast infections. Another study demonstrates that ginger herbal tea also has antimicrobial properties, reducing the risk of infection brought on by microbial growth.

  • Provides Good Sleep: A hot cup of chamomile tea can help people with insomnia fall asleep quickly if they drink it just before bed; due to the presence of tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body relax and fall asleep. However, slight insomnia can be treated with chamomile tea.

  • Soothing Stomach Issues: Our stomachs often become irritated as a result of improper eating habits and poor food quality. However, a number of herbal teas are well-known for their ability to soothe the stomach. Tea made from herbs, such as fennel, can aid with constipation, colic, and stomach aches. Additionally, it encourages better food digestion, lessens gastrointestinal issues, and reduces nausea and morning sickness. The best example is ginger tea.

  • Have Anti-inflammatory Effects: Herbal teas have anti-inflammatory characteristics that can help reduce rheumatic aches caused by blood vessel enlargement. Ginger herbal tea can help arthritis sufferers reduce inflammation.

  • Rejuvenate Tissue Cells: Herbal tea is a blessing for cell renewal and expansion. It strengthens the body's tissues and, because of its high antioxidant content, guards against cell damage from free radicals or pollution. Even decreasing the aging process is a benefit of herbal tea.

What Are the Side-Effects of Herbal Tea?

Although the negative effects of drinking herbal teas are not well established, they are certainly a possibility. As there are many herbal teas, there are also various adverse effects associated with them. Most typical adverse effects of herbal tea include the following:

  • Headache.

  • Skin flushing.

  • Mouth discomfort.

  • Heartburn.

  • Dermatitis.

  • Anaphylactic shock.

  • Vomiting.

  • Nausea.

  • Dizziness.

  • Hormone imbalance.

What Drawbacks Do Herbal Teas Have?

Herbal teas don't replace water even though they have fewer calories and many advantages. Like other beverages, herbal teas contain caffeine and should be drunk in moderation.

  • Not Flawless: Although herbal teas have many advantages, they can't completely replace fizzy drinks. They typically contain sugar and caffeine, which can raise blood pressure and have other harmful effects on health.

  • Expensive: Many herbal teas are costly, which may make them an unaffordable alternative for anyone looking for a healthier beverage.

  • Not the Same as Consuming Fresh Herbs: The fresh herbs are taken out before making herbal teas. This removes some of the plant's potentially therapeutic herbs, making them less powerful than consuming fresh herbs.

For the majority of people, choosing an appropriate tea will have far more benefits than drawbacks.

Conclusion

The conclusion drawn from this article is that there is scientific proof that drinking herbal tea has positive impacts on one's digestion, mental calmness, and ability to prevent cancer, among other things. There are numerous herbal tea benefits, and with so many various kinds of herbal teas on the market, you may find the perfect taste for you when it comes to drinking tea. Herbal teas can be the right choice for you if you are looking for a good, nutritious, or more affordable beverage option. Similarly, you might find something that suits you if you are seeking a powerful, caffeine-free, or low-calorie herbal tea. This will enable you to accomplish objectives while enjoying all the advantages of drinking herbal tea. However, it is advised to consult a specialist who is educated about tea and its positive and negative side effects before consuming herbal teas or their contents. In addition, if unsure, one can always conduct their own study. A rise in tea drinking should be promoted in the meantime since it contains very few calories.

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Dr. J. N. Naidu
Dr. J. N. Naidu

General Practitioner

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