The Key Benefits Of Herbal Teas

After water, tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world; it is a staple of different countries and cultures all over the globe. Its not clear when we began drinking tea, but one of the myths around its origins is that it was discovered by Chinese emperor Shennong, who tested tea as a cure for other herbs with poisonous qualities. It’s not surprising that people swear by tea for its healing and nutritional properties — but how true is this? Is there any real nutritional value to drinking tea?

Nutritional benefits of herbal tea

Drinking tea is a great way of ensuring that you drink enough water throughout the day, meaning that you avoid dehydration. But the actual nutritional properties of tea are also something to consider. Lots of teas contain polyphenols, the most prominent being catechins and epicatechins, which are good for you as they are anti-inflammatory as well as being fantastic antioxidants. These are an important part of a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, as they can help protect the body against disease. Harvard-led studies have also shown that groups of tea-drinkers over time have a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

5 common herbal teas and their properties

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is a personal favourite, and it is well loved by people around the world. Fresh mint is grown in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Carribean, North America, and across cultures and continents, communities swear by its restorative properties. It can be used to help with nausea and indigestion.

Camomile tea

Lots of people swear by camomile tea for its calming effect, making it a favourite for people to drink before bed. It is the most-commonly used herbal remedy for insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Green tea

Green tea has been widely regarded for centuries in Eastern cultures for having powerful remedial properties, and though the evidence has been inconclusive, there have been studies around whether green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. It is also a natural and unprocessed alternative to coffee if you need a boost of caffeine.

Lemon and ginger tea

A punchy mug of lemon and ginger tea can help gut health and stimulate the immune system. Like peppermint tea, it is also used as a natural remedy to help nausea, which is why it can be used to help morning sickness when pregnant.

Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea can be consumed to help with oral health, as it can reduce odor-inducing bacteria, and can be effective in reducing plaque. 

So there you have it! There are lots of different blends of herbal tea and there will be one out there that is perfect for you. Have a look at places like Whittards, who do a fantastic jade oolong tea that’ll power you through long workdays or try T2 for a classic, strong jasmine tea. Also be sure to check up Bird and Blend, who carry the biggest range of vegan teas; we love their buck’s fizz blend.