Health Benefits Of Herbal Tea. Yes or No?
Posted by pano | Under Herb Tea Tuesday Mar 3, 2009
I suppose that, like me, you have heard the, sometimes true, sometimes overstated, claims of the health benefits of herbal tea.
Why have these claims been believed and why, despite the availability of scientifically created drugs, is their usage growing more popular than ever?
A herbal tea remedy
Let’s start by understanding the basics. Most so called herbal teas on the market are, in fact, not teas at all. They are infusions of the herb leaf, the flower, sometimes roots, spices and other specific parts of the plant indeed in some countries the use of the word tea is legally restricted to infusions/ drinks made of the tea plant. The correct term for a herbal tea is tisane, or ptisan. These are herbal infusion made from anything other than the leaves of the tea bush.
The Medicinal Effects of Herbs
Herbal teas are often famed and drank for their physical or medicinal effects, typically as a stimulant or ‘pick me up’ or as a relaxant or sedative. However, the medicinal benefits of specific herbs are often anecdotal. That is to say the apparent benefits are past on through verbal or folklore stories. But without the basis set in ‘proven’ scientific fact. To many this passing on of experience and knowledge over time is the very reason they believe the stories and the benefits they talk of, “after all if it didn’t work would these stories continue”?
A Cautionary Word
But please do your home work. Whilst most commercially obtainable herbal teas are thoroughly tested and safe for regular consumption, some herbs have toxic or allergenic effects.
There may ailments that need medical attention from your local physician or general practitioner; but you may become healthier if you look at the health benefits of herbal tea and include these infusions regularly in your diet.
Some of the more common day to day ills that are often addressed are a cough, a cold, constipation, depression and even obesity. That’s right, you can even lose weight if you regularly drink herbal tea throughout the day.
1. Can’t Stop Coughing
If you can’t stop coughing, you’ll be happy to know that there are herbal teas just for you. A cough can really ruin your day. You have that tickling in the back of your throat, and you cough to get rid of that. You soon find that you’re coughing every few minutes. This makes your throat raw, you begin to get sore in your stomach and it’s very miserable. A tea made for coughs will soothe your throat and get rid of the tickling in the back of your throat so that you can go about your day once more without having that irresistible urge to cough.
2. A Cold
If you have a cold, maybe with or without coughing, you can drink herb tea and make yourself healthier. That’s because a good tea will strengthen your immune system, thus helping your body fight off those bad germs and infections. Not only that, but a good tea will rehydrate you which is perfect for anyone who isn’t feeling so well.
3. Constipation
For constipation a natural laxative tea is just what the doctor ordered. Drink a good tea for this purpose and you’ll soon find that you no longer have to hold everything in, so to speak. You’ll feel better, your system will be working more regularly and you won’t be feeling so full and bloated.
4. Obesity
It’s true that a good herb tea will help you lose weight. Drinking this tea will flush your system out and that can actually help flush out the fat. You should also eat correctly and exercise but the herbal tea will help you feel full faster, will hydrate your system and will help you feel better and thinner than ever.
Of course, you should always see the doctor if you’re not feeling well as a medical professional is the only one who should treat or diagnose any illness but herbal teas will help you feel better no matter what you’re ailing from.
Of course I’m not saying that you take a tea tonic or another herbal tea remedies to the exclusion of ‘modern’ medicines. Life is about achieving a balance and looking after your health is no different. Take advantage of what your physician or general practitioner has to say. Always inform him or her of any tonics or remedies you are taking and together you can find a balance that is right for you and for you to maintain your health.
Related Websites
[...] Many drugs are originally derived from herbs and other botanicals which have been used for centuries and studied by scientists and researchers to identify the benefits that caused people to believe in them. Whether these herbs are combined to make poultices or infused to make herbal teas. [...]