Herbal Tea.
Most Common Types of Herbal Tea (Yerba mate, Rooibos, Tisane, Lemon Grass, berries drinks and other)
- Background
Herbal tea can be defined as an infusion or a mix of different plant materials like leaves, fruits, bark, roots, or flowers belonging to almost any edible plant except Camellia sinensis. Black, green, oolong and white teas are derived from the plant species Camellia sinensis. Herbal tea is also known as “Herbal infusion” or “Tisane” (French term for Herbal infusions). Recently, during COVID 19 pandemic, there is a higher demand for herbal teas due to increased health concerns. Therefore, it’s worth focusing on the most common types of herbal tea sipping all over the world.
- Most Popular Herbal Infusions
- Rooibos
This 300-year-old drink is just a baby compared to the 5000-year-old Camellia sinensis (Tea) plant that yields what we know as Dark, Red, oolong, green and white teas
Original rooibos came only from South Africa’s Western Cape region. Dutch called this “red bush,”. This herb is naturally caffeine-free and has got a little sweetish flavor with a full body. After steeping, a cup of rooibos looks the same as a black / red tea. Rooibos is produced from the needle-like leaves from the plant species “aspalathus linearis”. This is a plant which grows in the hills proximity to the South African Atlantic coast.
Benefits of Rooibos
Main rooibos tea benefits include:
- Contain a high amount of antioxidants
- Known to minimize the risk of heart diseases.
- May helps control inflammation
- Low in tannins
- Known to reduce risk of certain cancer types.
- Chamomile
There are two main types of chamomile namely, German chamomile and Roman chamomile. Out of these two, German chamomile is the most popular around the world. Chamomile has been described in ancient medical books and was a vital herb in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. Still some of the best chamomiles are grown in the Nile river delta in Egypt. Chamomile is also grown commercially in European countries like Croatia.
Chamomile is known as an herbal medicine for many years for its calming, therapeutic properties. Whether you need assistance falling asleep during the night, improving your immunity, or minimizing stress, a sip of chamomile can assist you. This herbal infusion has got a light, floral sensory profile with a mild sweetness.
Benefits of Chamomile
Some of the main benefits of chamomile include:
- Known to have anti-inflammatory properties
- May soothe cold
- May be good for your heart
- Good for digestion
- Known to assist falling asleep during the night
- Reduces anxiety
- Soothes sore throats
- Improve immunity system
- Moringa
Moringa is now getting more and more popular all around the world as a “Super Food”. Leaves and vegetables of the moringa tree are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and even many antibiotics. Moringa herbal infusion provides many nutritious compounds vital for human health. The sensory profile of moringa is a bit like green tea. This herbal drink is steeped using moringa leaves, that are currently even available in powdered form and tea bags.
Some of the main benefits of moringa include:
- Known to combat malnutrition.
- May prevent arsenic poisoning.
- May improve testosterone level and improve your sex life.
- Known to minimize insulin resistance and balances blood sugar.
- Contains a high level of insoluble fibers.
- Peppermint
Peppermint is a famous herbal infusion which can be steeped on its own as a soothing and stimulating tea, and possible to add to kinds of herbal and caffeinated blends. This infusion is a panacea which has been used for generations to treat everything from bad stomachs to the common cold.
Benefits of Peppermint
Some of the main benefits of peppermint infusion include:
- Good for memory
- Known to improve the brainpower
- Increases energy
- Soothes stomach upsets
- High in antioxidants
- Reduces stress
- May soothe cramps
- Known to ease headache pain
- Soothes symptoms of cold
- Ginger
Ginger is a famous spice which can be added as an ingredient for flavored tea blends for a slightly sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Ginger is grown widely in Southeast Asia and has been used in herbal medicine for generations as a remedy for a variety of ailments, from nausea to indigestion to the general cold.
Ginger tea benefits
Some of the benefits of ginger infusion include:
- Boosts your immune system
- Improves cognitive function
- Reduces inflammation
- Soothes sore throats
- Relieves period pain
- Aids digestions
- Soothes nausea
- Good for your teeth
- May have anti-cancer properties
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice derived from the soft, inner bark from the genus Cinnamomum which grows in Sri Lanka and South India.
The smell and flavor of cinnamon come from its main element, cinnamaldehyde, which is a good bioactive compound known to have many useful health benefits. Records date the utilization of cinnamon as far back as 2000 BC, and this spice is widely used at present as well.
Benefits of Cinnamon Herbal Infusion
- May improve cognitive speed, increase focus, and encourage the growth of neural pathways
- Known to calm an upset stomach and improves digestive health
- Known to improve the immune system
- Used for generations as a great culinary spice
- Turmeric
Turmeric is a common spice grown mainly in Southeast Asia and it is a member of the ginger family. India produces almost 75% of the global turmeric output. Curcumin is the main active ingredient available in turmeric. Asians have been using this spice as an herbal remedy for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
Turmeric benefits
Some of the main benefits of turmeric infusion include:
- Known to reduces arthritis symptoms
- Known to improve immunity
- May help reducing cardiovascular complications
- Known to prevent cancers
- May manage irritable bowel syndrome
- Lavender
Lavender infusion can refer to any blend which has lavender in it. This is a famous ingredient in herbal blends but can also be included in caffeinated tea to get a soothing floral note. There are 47 different lavender species, most of which are native to Asia and Europe but those are now grown all around the globe.
Most culinary lavender derives from the English lavender plant namely: lavandula angustifolia. Lavender blossoms are picked and dried before being mixed with other teas and herbal infusions. Lavender is more potent after drying than when it is in fresh form, therefore a small portion of lavender is enough to flavor a large quantity of tea.
Lavender benefits
Some of the main benefits of lavender infusion include:
- Known to release stress
- May Improve sleep quality
- Boosts the mood
- Known to reduce headaches
- May relieves period pain
- Known to improve immune system
- Hibiscus
Hibiscus infusion, also known as roselle, is a cranberry-like herbal tea. This colorful red infusion is traditionally sipped in regions like West Africa, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, India, Persia, Cambodia. But now, this beverage is enjoyed all over the world. Hibiscus can be a drink on its own, or as an ingredient in other blended teas. This beverage can be served hot or over ice.
Hibiscus tea benefits
Some of the benefits of hibiscus herbal infusion include:
- High in antioxidants
- A rich source of iron
- High in vitamin C
- Known to lower blood pressure
- Known to have antimicrobial properties
- May help to improve metabolism
- Butterfly Pea flower
This very colorful infusion is also called blue tea. Butterfly pea flower infusion is prepared from the floral petals of the clitoria ternatea plant. This species is grown mainly in Southeast Asia. This infusion has a mildly sweet, floral flavor, a bit like chamomile brew. This herb can be added to other drinks and even cocktails to get a bright blue color.
Butterfly pea flower benefits
Main of the benefits of butterfly pea flower infusion include:
- High in antioxidants and anthocyanins
- May reduce the risk of cancers
- Known to reduce inflammation
- May Improve brain power
- Soothes fever symptoms
- Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a famous ingredient for herbal blends and is utilized to impart a citrusy flavor to any blend. Lemon grass isn’t really related to citrus families like limes and oranges. This is a tropical grass species native to Sri Lanka and South India. Lemongrass brew can be sipped on its own and can be added to tea and tisane blends.
Lemongrass benefits
Main benefits of lemongrass infusion include:
- Used to reduce anxiety
- Good for teeths
- Reduces inflammation
- Known to reduce cold symptoms
- May improve immunity
- Known to reduces bloating
- High in antioxidants
- Has got antimicrobial properties
- Good for digestion
- Soothes cramps
- Good for heart
- Ginseng
Ginseng roots are utilized to prepare tea, which is known to have many health and functional benefits. In the past this was popular only in Korea, but later on other nations came to know about Ginseng’s amazing benefits. This beverage has got a strong taste and smell.
Ginseng benefits
Main benefits of ginseng infusion include:
- Has a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Known to fight against tiredness and fatigue.
- Beneficial to controlling blood glucose.
- Improve memory, behavior, and mood.
- Known to control hypertension and high blood pressure.
- Known to release the stress
- May help with hormonal balance.
- Rosehip
Rosehip infusion is prepared from the fruit of the rose plant. This herbal infusion is a great source of vitamin C. The brew has got a flowery sensory profile with a hint of tart aftertaste which can rejuvenate all five senses. It’s not only Vitamin C, many other compounds available in rosehip which are beneficial for human health.
Rosehip benefits
Main benefits of Rosehip infusion include:
- May protect against type 2 diabetes.
- Known to minimize diarrhea, constipation, gallstones, and kidney disorder.
- Quench the thirst.
- Known to increase blood flow in the limbs.
- May protect the skin from sun damage.
- Known to prevent stomach irritation and ulcers.
- Dandelion
Dandelion herbal infusion is coming from the yellow dandelion flower. It is convenient to prepare by boiling the flower petals to extract the oils. The dandelion root can be utilized to prepare a beverage like coffee.
Benefits of Dandelion herbal infusion
Main benefits of Dandelion infusion include:
- Known to assist with weight loss
- May help improve digestion
- Known to promote strong bones
- May fight against anemia
- Fennel
Fennel has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes by ancient people since around 800 BC. In ancient Rome and Greece, Fennel was utilized for many purposes such as a muscle enhancer, dieting agent and to treat kidney disorders. Greek doctors have been using fennel seeds and leaves to create a herbal infusion to assist nursing mothers to improve their milk supply.
Benefits of Fennel herbal infusion
Main benefits of fennel infusion include:
- Have been using to reduce the effects of food poisoning
- May help reducing acid reflux
- Known to increase menstrual flow
- Using for heartburn treatments
- It is diuretic
- The brew has acid reflux properties.
- Jasmine
Jasmine is grown in high elevations. Jasmine is the most popular flavor added to Chinese green tea. Jasmine is grown on a commercial scale in Fujian and Guangxi provinces in China as well as in Vietnam. It is better to harvest the flower buds very early in the morning before blooming.
The leaves are often harvested at the earlier stage of spring and possible to store for later use. Jasmine infusion is often served in China to welcome important guests.
Benefits of Jasmine herbal infusion
Main benefits of jasmine infusion include:
- Know to bring down body weight
- Known to improve metabolism and absorption of nutrients.
- May lower cholesterol
- Known to decrease inflammation of veins and arteries
- Echinacea
This perennial, herbaceous plant belongs to the daisy family. Echinacea’s nine different species are all utilized in their entirety for their various phenolic compounds that give valuable health benefits. But too much consumption of Echinacea may negatively impact human T-cells.
Benefits of Echinacea herbal infusion
Main benefits of Echinacea infusion include:
- May help ease bronchitis
- Known to improve the immune system
- Raspberry Leaf
Raspberry is a fruit crop grown in temperate regions. But even Raspberry leaves have got some known health and functional benefits. Raspberry leaf infusion is a very refreshing drink, regardless of some benefits it may bring.
Benefits of Raspberry herbal infusion
Main benefits of Raspberry infusion include:
- Known to shorten labor of pregnant mothers
- May improve metabolism
- Known to encourage weight loss. This tea is like a fruity black tea in flavor.
- Elderberry
Supplements prepared from Elderberry are quite common. Elderberry flowers and fruits have many flavonoids. The herbal infusion is prepared from ripe, dried berries. This provides it a sweet yet tart and an earthy taste.
Benefits of Elderberry herbal infusion
Main benefits of Elderberry infusion include:
- Known to promote immunity
- May be useful for treating general flu and some other illnesses
- Known to relieve pain
- Nettle Leaf
Real nettle leaves can burn and sting when you touch them directly. But that property won’t cause that sensation. Once nettle leaves are steeped in hot water, that generates a sensory profile very much like a vegetable broth. Depending on the number of leaves steeped, it can be light or strong in taste.
Benefits of Nettle Leaf herbal infusion
Main benefits of Nettle leaf infusion include:
- May lower the risk of heart diseases
- Known to have anti-cancer properties
- May minimize the risk of diabetes
- Known to bring down blood pressure
- Known to reduce psychotic disorders.
Caffeine in Herbal Infusions
Many herbal infusions are free from caffeine. This creates them a useful beverage to sip in a relaxing evening or even when someone wants to reduce caffeine intake. Chamomile, peppermint, and ginger are free from caffeine.
But it doesn’t mean that all herbal teas are free from caffeine. Some infusions like yerba mate naturally contain caffeine. Just make sure to read the details on the herbal product package you select if the caffeine amount is one of your main concerns. For certain, you don’t need to consume herbal tea during night expecting to calm down only to find it has been mixed with any other tea or tisane which contains caffeine.