Benefits of Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is the mixture of boiling water with dried fruits, nuts, leaves, flowers, seeds, grasses, barks, roots or herbs. Literally speaking, herbal tea is a misnomer as it is not a tea made from a tea plant (Camellia sinensis) but a tisane or a herbal infusion. Herbal infusion is the brewing of a medicinal herbs in water. Plants produce a wide range of chemicals in the normal course of their metabolic activities. These chemicals serve different functions for the plant. Some of these chemicals are beneficial to humans. When herbal tea is being brewed, it is these chemicals in the herbs that are decocted in water.

Brief History
Herbal tea was consumed by ancient Indians, Sumerians, Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and people in the Middle East. In India, the ancient Ayurveda system used herbal remedies. Medieval Europe used the traditional herbal knowledge of Greeks and Romans. In recent times, herbal tea has again acquired great popularity for its obvious health benefits.

Varieties and Benefits
Presently, herbs are used for primary health care. This use is mostly confined to non-industrialized countries, where the cost of pharmaceuticals is way beyond what a common person there can afford. In the short term and during emergencies, pharmaceuticals are more effective than herbal remedies. However, in the long term, herbal remedies resist the disease and provide nutritional support which is not provided by pharmaceuticals.

There are numerous varieties of herbal tea, each having its own benefits. In general, herbal tea has a soothing and relaxing effect, helps in digestion, improves the cleansing properties of the body, keeps the heart healthy and provides energy, thereby promoting wellness. Ginger, chamomile and jasmine herbal teas are amongst the most popular ones to be used. Jasmine is a great relaxer, aids digestion, lowers cholesterol and can improve the life span of a person. Chamomile is a natural sedative and aids in sleeping and in relieving anxiety. Ginger aids digestion, freshens breath and helps relieve muscle pains, nausea, dizziness and motion sickness.

Apart from the most popular herbs, there are a few others too which have beneficial effects. Slippery elm fights stomach cramps and other stomach and intestine related problems. Chrysanthemum acts against body toxins and liver damage. It is also known to bring down body temperature caused by fever. Lemongrass, cinnamon and peppermint have a calming effect. On this front, peppermint is believed to be better than chamomile. Furthermore, peppermint freshens breath. Sarsaparilla makes the skin healthy and provides energy. Parsley acts as a diuretic (stimulating urination) and helps in the normal functioning of kidneys. Allspice is a good treatment for upset stomachs and common colds. Hercules Poirot, the famous detective character created by Agatha Christie, is depicted consuming herbal tea mixed with hot chocolate during cold and wet weathers in many of her stories.

Raspberry leaf tea is believed to be a beneficial drink for pregnant women. Experts believe that this can decrease the length of labor, in addition to possibly preventing preterm labor and postpartum hemorrhage. Most of the commercial brands of herbal tea are safe for consumption during pregnancy. However, it is always better to consult a physician.

Precautions
The popularity of anything is not without a downside. When the popular entity in question is a product for sale, spurious production and false and exaggerated claims are a genuine possibility. Therefore, it would be appropriate to note that some varieties do have allergic and harmful effects, although most are safe for consumption. Lobelia and comfrey are most notorious, when it comes to toxicity. While the former has effects similar to nicotine, prolonged use of the latter can cause liver damage. Because of this, consulting a physician before regular consumption of herbal tea is always advisable. In the USA and some other countries, producers of herbal tea cannot make claims about the medicinal effects of their products without evidence.

In addition to being nutritious, many varieties of herbal tea are great to taste. All these qualities make them a great drink and can be a good substitute for caffeine.