Complete Guide to Herbal Teas

Next time you are feeling under the weather, try one of these herbal teas.  Herbal teas have been used as a natural remedy for centuries.  They have been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, everything from your head to your stomach and beyond.  Read on to see if one of these could help you.

These teas are easy to find online or at many local grocery stores.  Brewing them is simple and you can combine them to make your own favorite blends and flavors.  If you don’t have a tea infuser, like this one we use, you can simply let the herbs steep in water.  Then strain them out when the tea has steeped.  Let us know which variety you like best.

If you think their healing power sounds too good to be true, read more about the science behind herbal tea in this study or this article.

This is a list of our favorite herbal tea varieties.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea has a very tangy flavor and a rich red color.  When you brew hibiscus you are actually brewing the flower.  Studies show that it can measurably lower blood pressure.  It is also frequently used for stomach upset, cramps, fever and sore throat.  It’s rich in vitamin C so it can help to boost your body’s immune system.  To learn more about the benefits of Hibiscus tea read this article or this article.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea has a very mild flavor.  It is typically used to sooth and relax.  It also helps to relieve cramps and indigestion. Chamomile has been commonly used for centuries for many human ailments such as hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids and has also been reviewed in numerous scientific studies. Chamomile is widely available, and we recommend buying an organic tea like this one.

Jiaogulan / Gynostemma Tea

Jiaogulan (also known as Gynostemma)  is an herb in the same family as cucumbers and melons.  It is a climbing vine that is often referred to as the “immortality” herb in traditional Chinese medicine.  Jiaogulan is also an adaptogen, link ginseng.  It is widely used in the east. Studies show that it can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of colon cancer and other studies have shown anticancer effects.  Learn more about Jiaogulan.

We recommend this jiaogulan tea.

Peppermint Tea

Many people use peppermint tea to soothe stomach upset because it contains the digestive aid, menthol.  It has been found to have significant antimicrobial and antiviral properties.  It is an antioxidant. Studies have found that peppermint tea has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and anti-tumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential.   You can read more about Peppermint Tea in this article.

Reishi Tea

This tea is made from a reddish-brown mushroom.  This mushroom is commonly used in eastern medicine for cancer prevention. Studies have found that reishi can strengthen immune response in humans, and that reishi mushrooms contain sterols that can act as precursors to hormones in the body, along with substances called triterpenes that may have blood pressure-lowering and antihistamine effects. As recently 2006, a study confirmed its anticancer effects. To read more about this mushroom’s antioxidant properties read this article.

Dandelion Tea

Dandelions aren’t just weeds.  Read more about dandelions in this article.  It is the leaf of the dandelion that is used in tea.  The root can also be used to make a coffee substitute.  In Europe, dandelion  is used to treat fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes and diarrhea. It has even been studied in the fight against chemo resistant melanoma. Here is where you can find dandelion root tea.

Brassica Tea

Brassica Tea with SGS (sulforaphane glucosinolate) is tea with 15 milligrams of SGS from broccoli added to each tea bag. The natural antioxidant found in broccoli has been shown to last longer than Vitamin C, E and A in removing free radicals from the body. Sulforaphane glucosinolate activates the body’s own natural antioxidant defense system, including Phase 2 Detoxification enzymes. Brassica teas are patented and licensed by Johns Hopkins University under several US patents.

Turmeric Tea

The health benefits of turmeric are broad. Studies show that turmeric has broad anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits.  Turmeric extract contains agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid.  Beta-amyloid is the substance that contributes to the plaque that builds up in Alzheimer’s patients.   Studies in mice show that turmeric decreases the production of beta-amyloid.  You can read more about the benefits of turmeric in this article.  This article has a simple recipe for making turmeric tea. There are also many delicious turmeric tea blends.

Mulberry Tea

Mulberry tea has been shown to help control blood sugar.  This study showed that mulberry tea can suppress the rise of blood sugar 90 minutes after you drink it.  If you have Type 2 diabetes or poor blood sugar control, you might give this tea a try. It is also tasty in general. You can find mulberry tea here.

P’au Darco Tea

This tea is native to South America.  It is made from the bark of an evergreen tree.  In South America it is used to treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis, inflammation of the prostate gland, fever, dysentery, boils, ulcers and various cancers.  Pau d’arco contains a chemical compounds called naphthoquinones, specifically lapachol and beta-lapachone. In lab tests, the compounds in this tea had three benefits.  They are antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial.  You can read more about this tea in this article. P’au Darco tea is available here.

Echinacea Tea

Echinacea is a perennial herb from a Native American plant, named for its prickly scales.  In animal studies echinacea has been shown to boost immune function, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects.  In clinical trials echinacea has been shown to reduce the duration of a cold from one to four days.  You can read more abut echinacea in this article. You can find it here.

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is fairly easy to make yourself.  You just simmer fresh ginger in water.  Ginger has been used to fight nausea and motion sickness. Ginger has also been shown to help with cramps  You can read more about ginger tea in this article. There are several good medicinal ginger tea brands.

Tulsi / Holy Basil Tea

Tulsi is an aromatic shrub in the same family as basil.  Within Ayurveda, which is the Hindu system of medicine, it is referred to as the “Queen of Herbs” and “Mother Medicine of Nature.”  Tulsi is a powerful adaptogen.  The list of potential health benefits is too long to list, with numerous scientific studies behind it. The benefits are attributed to its ability to help the body’s internal immune system. You can find it here.

Nettle Tea

Nettle tea is made from stinging nettle, which makes it tricky to make it yourself.  Stinging nettle has been used centuries for a variety of medical problems including:  painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout and anemia. More recently, it is being used for urinary problems and the beginning of enlarged prostate.  To learn more about the benefits of nettle tea read this article and this page by the University of Maryland Medical Center.  Stinging nettle is available in the form of dried leaves or freeze-dried leaves. You can find it here.

Linden Tea

Linden is an herb.  Linden has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health problems.  The flowers are used soothe nerves and reduce anxiety.  When the flowers are steeped they are used for indigestion, irregular heartbeat and vomiting.  It can also be used for a cough or cold.  If you want to learn more about Linden tea read this article. Linden tea is available here.

RoseHip Tea

Rosehip tea is rich in Vitamin C and flavonoids, which makes it a good antioxidant.  A study shows that rosehip tea is a good source of lycopene.  Lycopene is linked to reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. You can find rose hip tea here.

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