Herbal teas are a form of loose leaf teas that are usually caffeine-free. Almost all herbal teas come from flowers and plants of which are infused in hot water to make hot teas or iced to make iced teas.
There are different types of loose-leaf teas and each is specific to the benefits that they provide you with.
Each tea has its benefits to serve your individual needs and to improve your health and wellbeing.
We will list some of the most common teas and their purpose and benefits.
Chamomile tea is very common in the western population. Chamomile is a type of flower that is dried to be used as a traditional folk remedy.
Chamomile flowers contain chemicals called flavonoids and an anti-oxidant called apigenin which aids in promoting sleep, reducing insomnia and other sleep problems (1) (2).
A study was conducted with postpartum mothers who drank chamomile tea for 14 days. Those who drank chamomile tea compared to those who did not report increased quality sleep and a reduction of depression symptoms compared to those who did not drink chamomile teas (3).
Buy your sleepy time tea here!
Lavender tea is another common tea used to promote better sleep.
Lavender tea improves one's sleep by brewing the purple buds in hot water.
Lavender promotes the production of dopamine and decreases the stress hormone known as cortisol (4).
This will trigger calmness and alleviate depression and anxiety within the body. This will improve your mood and activate better quality sleep (4).
Basil tea has been adopted for medicinal purposes for centuries.
Basil tea has been used to address many health conditions such as bronchitis, blood diseases and sleep.
Basil tea promotes a good night sleep by reduces cortisol hormone in the body of which promotes calmness and anti-stress symptoms within your body and relaxes your nerves.
A study was conducted in which those who took 500mgs of basil extract every day had a reduction of feeling anxious, depressed or stressed (5).
Rockrose tea is also known as Cistus Incanus. This tea is known for its cleansing properties as it is very rich in antioxidants and polyphenols-phenolic compounds.
Cistus Incanus has many benefits such as:
Energy-boosting properties;
Prevents coronary heart disease;
Slows the ageing process;
Promotes the reduction of free radicals
The list is exhaustive as this tea protects the effect of your DNA (5).
Dandelion leaf is also known as Taraxacum officinale which is a safe and therapeutic medicine food.
Dandelion is used to treat digestive and gastrointestinal health. the leaves are also used to promote liver and urinary health as it is mildly diuretic (increases urination). * This will improve the relief of stomach acid and bile to aid digestion, especially of fats! (6).
These leaves are rich in nutrients such as beta-carotene, Vitamin A and C and also the B complex (7).
A study has confirmed that Dandelion leaves block water retention in the kidneys which repress microbial growth in the urinary system and inhibit urinary tract infections and by restoring some of the potassium lost in the process.
Buy your cleansing tea here!
Yerba Mate is a herbal tea that consists of leaves and twigs from the llex paraguariensis plant.
Yerba Mate is very rich in antioxidants (8) such as:
Xanthines (stimulants that include caffeine and theobromine);
Caffeoyl derivatives (the central health-promoting antioxidants in tea);
Saponins (contains anti-inflammatory properties and cholesterol-reducing);
Polyphenols (biggest group of antioxidant that lowers the risk of several diseases).
Yerba mate is known for its energy-boosting properties. It contains less caffeine than coffee (9). The caffeine content in Yerba Mate boosts your mental energy as well as your physical energy (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15).
As it has an adequate amount of caffeine in it, it does not cause the jitters that coffee produces.
Apart from the energy boost that Yerba Mate gives, Yerba Mate may help you lose weight and belly fat. A 12-week study in overweight people confirmed that taking a teaspoon of yerba mate per day could lose up to 1.5 pounds and reduce your waist-to-hip ratio by 2% (belly fat) (16).
Gunpowder green tea is a different form of green tea of which is prepared differently.
Gunpowder green tea is made from the camellia Sinensis plant. It’s one of the most popular green teas in western countries as well as Sencha green tea and Match green tea.
The name Gunpowder comes from the loose-leaf shape.
Gunpowder green tea has many benefits of which boosts your energy levels.
A study has confirmed that Gunpowder green tea may have more antioxidants than Sencha Green Tea (17).
Gunpowder is a well-known energy booster due to its adequate caffeine levels. The caffeine is not as high as coffee, however, it contains enough to boost your energy levels and improve your concentration levels.
Black peppercorn is known as the 'king of spices' for its multiple uses for culinary use and medicinal uses (18).
Black pepper may increase the absorption of essential nutrients like calcium and selenium. It is an added benefit for green tea and turmeric as it increases their absorption levels up to 2,000%! (18) (19).
Buy your energy-boosting tea here.
Teas for Women and Girls Health
Red Raspberry leaf tea has several benefits relating to puberty to menopause. It contains vitamins, minerals, tannins, flavonoids and other active compounds (20).
Red raspberry leaf gets rid of toxin from your system that may be preventing pregnancy. it stimulates the uterine wall, which may improve the possibilities of fetus implantation and lessens the risk of early miscarriage.
Red Raspberry leaf is known to strengthen your uterine wall by decreasing the risk of rapture and may shorten the length of labour.
However, doctors do not recommend drinking tea in early pregnancy because it can cause cramping.
Red raspberry leaf can alleviate menstrual (period) cramps and pain. it does this by providing your reproductive system with the minerals and vitamins needed to reduce the symptoms.
It is also known to balance your hormones during the time of puberty and up to menopause.
It is recommended to drink Red raspberry leaf tea a week before your cycles and during your cycles.
You can purchase your tea here.
Fennel seeds have endless benefits. But for the sake of women's health, these seeds are your go-to for reproductive health.
According to a book called Healing Foods by DK Publishing, fennel seeds are known to reducing water retention and regulating female hormones (21).
It contains a volatile oil called anethole and phytochemicals which are known to reduce your cramps (22).
These phytochemicals are known to mimic estrogen in a form of phytoestrogen, which is considered a woman's best friend.
