What is herbal tea?
Herbalists have existed for thousands of years, even before the advent of agriculture; there is even evidence in archaeological discoveries of the use of plants for healing purposes.
In general, our pantry can have a good quantity of raw materials that can be used for preventative and healing purposes.
In order to make use of a lot of our natural resources to have a healthier lifestyle and be used in the preparation of food and drinks daily.
But the most important thing about all these products is to know how we can use them for our health.
What is herbal tea?
Herbs are usually present in families’ homes, ready to be used after a hearty lunch or when someone complains of stomach pain.
But infusions have various attributes that are sometimes unknown, and that could help us in the most varied health issues, such as colds, kidney pain and even depression.
What difference is there between tea and herbal tea?
These recommendations are not always taken into account (amount of water, water temperature and infusion time, type and part of plant to use, if it is fresh or dry, if it is commercial or in bulk, if it is sweetened or cream is added and process steps, among others) to have a drink that provides aroma, taste, body and, above all, beneficial effects on health.
Despite being an ancient and widely consumed drink, the way to prepare an herbal infusion can greatly influence both its content of chemical compounds and more importantly, affect its medicinal properties.
What is herbal tea good for?
Several studies have associated the habitual consumption of herbal tea and infusions with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antidiabetic, antimutagenic and anticancer properties, which are attributed, mainly, for their content in phytochemical compounds such as polyphenols, terpenes and alkaloids.
Related article: How to steep tea properly.
Best herbal teas.
Sage.
Native to southern Europe, this aromatic and medicinal plant has centuries of history behind it, as it was already used by the Romans to promote wound healing and to heal fevers and menstrual problems.
Be that as it may, what stands out is for its stimulating property.
That is, it stimulates blood flow in the area of the uterus and pelvis and, in addition, encourages menstruation, so it can help mitigate complicated menstruations.
Despite its benefits, it is recommended not to ingest it during the lactation season, as it can inhibit the production of breast milk.
Peppermint.
The infusion made from this herb has a pleasant, refreshing taste and with a minty aftertaste.
It helps to cope with heavy digestions (who has not asked for it to lighten the stomach after a copious meal) and, in addition, promotes the elimination and expulsion of mucus.
Chamomile.
Chamomile is the queen of infusions, omnipresent in cupboards.
In ancient times this herb was used by pregnant women to calm nausea, as well as to relax muscle tension during childbirth.
Such use was a success, because chamomile has soothing and, in addition, digestive properties.
Not in vain does it help to alleviate mild digestive disorders, especially those related to the reduction of flatulence, the repair of the gastric membrane or the regulation of the movements of the intestinal muscles.
It is even a good ally to mitigate the pains derived from menstruation.
Thyme.
As a condiment, as an ornamental or medicinal plant, thyme is one of the most hackneyed wild herbs.
In addition, its use dates back centuries, as it is known that it was already used in ancient Greece as a remedy to heal wounds and in the Middle Ages to alleviate cases of asthma.
Although thyme is widely used in cooking as a condiment, infused is an excellent ally to strengthen the immune system, as it contains in its composition thymol, which has fungicidal action.
Therefore, a daily infusion based on this herb can help prevent very common and annoying ailments, such as colds, sore throats or coughs.
Melissa.
The lemon balm, native to the Mediterranean areas of southern Europe, was already used by the Carmelite monks for the elaboration of their popular water of Carmen, also known as Lemon Balm water, whose purpose is the calm of nervous states.
Today it is still used to calm nerves and to decrease states of anxiety.
In addition, it seems that this wild herb, vivid in color and the aftertaste of lemon, helps to calm palpitations and mitigate cases of asthma.
On the other hand, the infused linden is one of the most used to placate the states of anxiety, anguish and stress, as it has relaxing properties
Related article: What is jasmine oolong tea?
How to make herbal tea?
To multiply the flavor of the infusion, you have to crush or chop the herbs before.
A tip: place them on a kitchen paper and crush them with a mortar so that they release the flavors before adding them to the kettle.
The rest is even simpler: just place the herbs in a kettle and cover them with boiling water.
The general recipe says that you have to add a teaspoon of dried herbs for every 4 cups of water. Or three teaspoons, if you use them fresh.
Even so, it is convenient to experiment and find the proportions that you like the most.
To begin with, let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes in infusion, so that the aromas and interesting molecules pass into the water; although 15 minutes you usually get better results.
Do not expect a drastic change: in neither case will you get a very intense color.
Herbal tea recipes.
Jasmine iced tea with mango and strawberry.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced mango
- 1 cup strawberries pre-disinfected
- The juice of 4 lemons
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups water
- Jasmine flowers to taste
- 1 thin lemon slice
Preparation:
- To make the mango flavoring with strawberry: in a saucepan, bring to a boil the fruit, the cup of sugar, 1 cup of water and the juice of the four lemons.
- The mixture should be slightly thick. Once it is ready, let cool a little, and while putting the jasmine leaves to boil in two cups of water.
- In an ice glass serve the tea, add the flavoring and garnish with a strawberry and a thin slice of lemon.
Ginger tea with lemon
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of ginger
- 2 cups water
- The juice of 4 lemons
- 1 thin lemon slice to decorate
- 1 cinnamon slice
- 2 tablespoons honey
Preparation:
- In a saucepan, bring the two cups of water to a boil, once it reaches its boiling point add ginger to taste and the juice of the four lemons.
- Serve in a cup or mason jar and garnish with the lemon slice and activate the flavor of the tea with the cinnamon crack.
- You can take it hot or cold.
Blackberry tea with mint.
Ingredients:
- 5 bags of black tea
- 1/4 cup crushed mint leaves.
- 1 sheet per portion to garnish
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 pack of blackberries
Preparation:
- In a glass container or of your choice, place the tea bags and mint, add the boiling water and let the ingredients sit for 10 minutes or until cool.
- In a blender, add the blackberries, 1/2 cup of sugar and mix by gradually adding the tea.
- Strain and serve in a glass with ice.
- Garnish with blackberries and a mint leaf.
Does herbal tea have caffeine?
Zero caffeine. Everything in excess is bad — even caffeine.
So try to moderate your consumption and alternate your coffee intake with that of the herbal tea that you like the most.
In this way, you will be one step closer to a more balanced life.
Related article: Best green teas for weight loss-2022
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