If you are someone who cannot begin their day without a piping hot cup of tea, then you know how it can impact your mood and set the tone for the day. How about, you take a step further and load up on some health benefits while you enjoy your cuppa? Here are five herbal teas that are good for your health.
1. Passionflower Tea
A fairly new find, this is slowly gaining recognition as a helpful sleeping aid. It is made using the leaves, stems, and flowers of the passionflower plant. The main element in this tea is flavonoid, which is a chemical that enables your body to function properly while fighting toxins and stressors. It also helps relieve symptoms of anxiety and induces calmness. Additionally, it settles the stomach so you can digest your food without any gastric issues. No more than a cup of passionflower tea is recommended, usually 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. Too much consumption can lead to dizziness and drowsiness. Those on medication, especially for sleep, should check in with their doctors before consuming this tea.
2. Lavender Tea
Known more for its use as an aromatherapy agent, lavender can also be consumed in the form of tea. It is made using the purple buds of the lavender plant with hot water. It contains calcium, iron, vitamin A, and linalool, which boost overall health. Since lavender aromatherapy has been used to calm the nerves, it is believed lavender tea can help boost your mood and decrease fatigue. Additionally, it also helps soothe menstrual cramps. A cup, about 30 minutes before bedtime is recommended, if not more. However, pregnant women, or those on blood thinner medications should consult their doctor before consumption.
3. Rooibos Tea
Also known as red tea or red bush tea, this has slowly gained popularity worldwide, as a caffeine-free alternative to black or green tea. Made using the leaves of the rooibos plant brewed in hot water, it contains powerful antioxidants which offer many health benefits. It improves cholesterol levels, which is especially beneficial to those at the risk of heart diseases. It also helps keep blood sugar levels in control, further aiding in diabetes management. It is advised to consume not more than six cups of this tea, staggered throughout the day, for optimum benefits.
4. Sage Tea
Apart from being used as a fragrance, sage, like lavender, can also be consumed in the form of tea. It has mostly been accredited to its medicinal properties. It is made by infusing the leaves of the common sage plant in hot water. It contains antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid, which decreases inflammation, and vitamin K, which is important for bone health, blood clotting and blood circulation. In fact, gargling sage tea also helps with oral health, by improving bad breath, or pain and inflammation in the mouth. A minimum of three, and maximum six cups of sage tea is safe for consumption. However, if you still have doubts about how much you can consume, you can always reach out to your healthcare provider.
5. Nettle Tea
Another tea on its way to popularity, nettle tea is made by adding hot water to the leaves of the plant. It contains nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, and potassium, which is why it is also deemed as a superfood. It helps improve urinary tract health in both men and women by flushing out the harmful bacteria. Furthermore, it can also reduce pain and inflammation associated with orthopaedic conditions such as osteoarthritis. It is advised to put a cap to its consumption at four cups, and be careful to only consume the tea when it’s made out of the leaves, as opposed to the root, which can cause an upset stomach, or skin irritations. Those on medication for urinary infections must talk to their doctors before they make a cup.