Tea has been with us for centuries. And it’s been brewing everywhere! I’m a tea-lover and tea has always been a part of my daily life in any season whether I’m home or traveling.
Have you ever wondered what its many health benefits are? I knew one or two but that was all. So I did some reading and thought it would be good to share them with you here (by the way, I know there are thousands of different teas but the ones listed here are just some of the most common naturally caffeine-free teas…and the first four are my favorites ü…drinking tea has a calming effect and is one of the things that works for me when I need to de-stress).
This list is not exhaustive but hopefully would help with some pieces of information that’ll somehow make you enjoy your cup of tea more or get you to try one if you haven’t already…Enjoy!
o Chamomile, commonly used as traditional medicine, has been claimed to have an effect on health. Brewed from dried flower heads, it is said to contain many terpenoids and flavonoids that contribute to its medicinal properties and is commonly used for inflammation, muscle spasms, insomnia, rheumatic pain, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders and many other ailments1. It has also been shown to have antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory health benefits in several studies1,2.
o Ginger is a herbaceous plant and widely used as a spice and herbal medicine. It has been traditionally used to relieve common health problems such as pain, nausea and vomiting, and has also been reported to alleviate digestive and anti-inflammatory functions in some studies3. Ginger rhizomes are juicy and can be steeped in boiling water to make tea.
o Turmeric, a flowering plant of the ginger family, has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine4. Based on some studies conducted to investigate the health effects of one of its constituents, curcumin, it has been reported to exhibit versatile bioactivity and provide protection and benefits on human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, and hepatoprotective effects5.
o Peppermint, brewed from dried Mentha piperita leaves, is claimed to have a calming effect in the body. Traditionally, Mentha leaves have been used as tea in treating headache, fever, digestive disorders and other minor ailments6. Also, studies have reported that the phenolic compounds in the leaves include flavonoids which have antioxidant and antibacterial health benefits2,7.
o Lemongrass, also known as Cymbopogon, is commonly used as culinary and medicinal herbs8. Some evidence has shown that it possesses a wide array of properties that may justify its use as an anti-inflammation and anti-tumor agent. It is widely used in traditional and in conventional medicine due to the pharmacological potential of their phytochemicals and is traditionally used in many countries as a common tea, as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant, and for the treatment of digestive disorders and fevers9.
o Rosehip, the accessory fruit of the rose plant, has been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of diseases owing to its antioxidant effects associated with its phytochemical composition, which includes ascorbic acid, vitamins E & B, phenolic compounds, carotenoids and healthy fatty acids among others10. It has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties2.
o Rooibos is a popular South African herbal tea. Some studies have reported that it is rich in polyphenols and has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, and has beneficial effects for heart health. Used as a traditional medicine in South Africa, it alleviates allergies, asthma and dermatological problems2. It is gaining international popularity as some evidence has reported its diverse health-promoting properties including anti-aging, anticancer, antispasmodic, antidiabetic and cardio-protective activities11.
o Sage, a small evergreen subshrub, has been claimed to increase liver antioxidant status and has been reported to have anti-tumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant health benefits2,12.
o Rosemary, an evergreen aromatic shrub, has been used in folk medicine. Rosemary tea is brewed from its leaves. Traditionally, rosemary oil has been used for curing many diseases such as inflammatory diseases and diabetes mellitus. The bioactivities of rosemary extracts related to its phenolic compound constituents, on the other hand, have been reported from several studies to include properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity13.
Relax and enjoy a cup of tea today!
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Thank you for this post. It’s very informative and helpful. Btw, camomile is my favorite!