Herbal tea is one of the world’s healthiest drinks. It is, in fact, a mix of herbs and added spices and dried fruits. Herbal tea, called tisane, is made from various dried parts of plants, from leaves and roots to flowers and seeds. There are many useful plants that can make a good healthy tea. Better yet, if several different herbs are mixed together, then they give an even tastier and healthier drink.

Most herbal teas don’t have caffeine, so they’re well known for having a soothing and calming effect. But that’s not the only benefit of drinking this type of tea. Depending on the plants the tea is made from, it can help with many health issues. That’s because the most popular tea herbs have medicinal properties, being full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here are some of the most popular plants for herbal tea that offer lots of health benefits.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is considered a medication in some countries and it’s been used as a remedy since the dawn of time. That says a lot about its potency and usefulness in boosting health. The first thing that comes to mind regarding this tea is that it helps with sleep, because of its soothing and calming effects. It also helps with reducing stress and anxiety and lowers blood sugar levels.

Besides sleep, chamomile tea is also known for helping with stomach problems, calming the upset stomach. That includes menstrual pain as well as other muscle cramps and spasms. It is also good for protecting the liver. Being full of antioxidants, flavonoids, and other compounds, chamomile tea is considered to be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and can help with health problems from a common cold to some types of cancer.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea has menthol in it, and can help relax abdominal muscles and soothe an upset stomach. It eases discomfort caused by diarrhea, bloating, and gas, and can relieve irritable bowel syndrome and constipation problems, and even help with motion sickness. If you suffer from indigestion and heartburn, peppermint tea is your best bet to help solve that problem.

The stomach is not the only thing this tea can help with. Peppermint contains menthol that acts as a decongestant. That means it can help clear mucus that builds up in the airways during common colds, easing breathing, relieving coughs, and soothing sore throats. It can also help with headaches, fatigue, and anxiety. Besides drinking peppermint tea, inhaling its steam can relieve respiratory problems and headaches.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea, also known as red bush tea, comes from South Africa’s rooibos plant that is part of the legume family. It is a bush with leaves that look like needles, and when dried they get that reddish color for which the tea is known. This tea is mainly popular only in South Africa, but that has been changing in recent years.

More and more people are learning about its many health-beneficial properties since it contains a lot of antioxidants and minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium, etc. Besides antioxidants, rooibos tea is full of anti-inflammatory compounds and vitamin C. It helps ease many diseases and issues like cholesterol, digestion, improving circulation and blood pressure, bone health, and more. It also helps keep hair and skin healthy and strong, as well as relieving allergies and eczema.

Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm is a plant from the mint family that’s very easy to grow. It is mostly used for its mild sedative effects because it reduces cortisol levels but doesn’t make you drowsy. That makes it a great helper with insomnia, anxiety, and even depression. It is a sort of a “spirits-lifter” type of tea and can be drunk hot as well as cold.

Other benefits of lemon balm tea are that it improves antioxidant levels, helps with digestion, and heart health because it improves arterial elasticity. It can also benefit skin elasticity. Another notable benefit of this tea is that it’s a brain stimulant, helping with concentration and memory. It’s good served hot and cold, and goes well with lemon or honey for added flavor.

Ginger Tea

With a very strong, spicy flavor this tea is great for drinking both hot and cold, on its own or mixed with other herbs. Ginger is one of the most healthy herbs there is, so its benefits are plentiful. It’s known to help with stomach problems such as indigestion and nausea related to motion sickness and especially morning sickness with pregnant women. Its spiciness improves circulation, helping with digestion and better absorption of nutrients.

Ginger root is used worldwide as a remedy for a variety of health issues besides digestive ones. Its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve respiratory problems like congestion and allergies. Its antioxidants, high concentration of vitamins C, B3, and B6, and plenty of minerals, boost the immune system, help with heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and protect against cancer. It also relieves stress and pain in muscles and joints (osteoarthritis). Adding lemon and honey can make the flavor better, masking the spiciness of the ginger.

Hibiscus Tea

This pale red drink, made from dried hibiscus petals, has a sweet and a slightly sour taste that is delicious served hot or cold. It has a great many health benefits among which are its antibacterial properties that help fight E. coli and the like, and boost immunity in general. Full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamin C, it helps fight off cancer and protects the liver.

Another known benefit of hibiscus tea is lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure which helps combat heart disease. It boosts metabolism and reduces body fat, making it a great choice for weight loss regimes and specific dietary programs. The diuretic properties of hibiscus help with water retention and circulation issues.

Final Thoughts

Tisanes or herbal teas come in a variety of flavors and blends, and offer many health benefits. Since they don’t contain caffeine or sugar, they are an excellent choice for those who want a healthy drink without feeling jittery all day long. There are many plants and herbal blends used for teas. These are just the ones that are used often and can help the most with health issues.

Not only are they chock-full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other health-beneficial compounds, but they are very tasty as well. Adding honey instead of sugar and some lemon can make them even healthier and more delicious. If you add some ice to the herbal tea you can make it a great drink for summer, so you can be healthy all year long.