If you are new to herbal tea, you could be forgiven for thinking that they are all more or less the same. You might have heard, vaguely, that they are “good for you”, but be unsure as to how.
In actual fact, not every single herbal tea is necessarily beneficial for your health – although none of them will do you any harm either. And at the very least, they make a refreshing alternative to sugary or caffeinated drinks. This in itself should make them worth a try.
However, there are many varieties of tea which you may want to explore for reasons beyond their taste.
Here are our top pick of herbal teas which double up as weight loss teas – and other healthy aides!
- ROSE HIP – THE ORIGINAL WEIGHT LOSS TEA!
What is it?
Top of our list is rose hip tea. As it may sound, rose hip tea comes from rose hips, which grow on rose bushes.
Why is it good?
Rose hips are naturally very rich in vitamin C as well as other good stuff.
Rose hips act as an anti inflammatory. It has been proven to relieve pain, especially with painful conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
But rose hip also is good for lowering belly fat. At least one study has found it helped lower the BMI in a group of overweight volunteers.
This isn’t all that sipping a cup of rose hip tea could help with. It may also be active in the battle against skin aging!
The study that researched this, however, was done using rose hip powder, as opposed to tea. It helped to lessen the appearance of lines in the eye area.
It also reportedly improved the elasticity of skin – possibly something to do with its’ high vitamin C and anti inflammatory properties.
- SAGE TEA – BEST FOR BRAINS!
What Is It?
The clue is in the name, with sage tea.
Salvia Officinalis has been renowned for centuries, as an aide to the intellect. It has been in use ever since Roman times, if not earlier.
However, boosting your brainpower is not the only reason to drink it!
Why Is It Good?
As well as improved memory function, it is possible sage may help with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Romans used it as an anaesthetic and it may help with heart and colon health – although more studies are needed.
- CHAMOMILE TEA – THE ORIGINAL SLEEPY TEA
What Is It?
Chamomile tea is made from the flowers of the chamomile plant. It is a daisy like flower in appearance.
It has been drunk as a tea for centuries.
Why Is It Good?
There are a lot of beneficial effects of drinking chamomile. However, the most well known is its’ relaxing properties.
Chamomile tea is the ultimate bedtime drink.
It can aid sleep, in mild cases of insomnia or anxiety.
As well as being studied seriously for its stress busting qualities, chamomile is also being investigated for potentially helping with diabetes, digestive troubles and inflammation.
It is thought that it may have antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties.
Take care when consuming chamomile, if you are taking aspirin, as it may interact with it.
Chamomile may additionally help with PMS syndrome.
- PEPPERMINT – TO SOOTHE THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
What Is It?
Peppermint is actually a cross between two other kinds of mint; spearmint and water mint. Although it can occur naturally, it generally occurs as result of cultivation.
Peppermint tea is made using the leaves of the peppermint plant.
Why Is It Good?
Peppermint is renowned for its’ healing properties of the digestive system.
It may be taken to relieve symptoms such as stomach ache and indigestion.
Sufferers of IBS might try peppermint tea, although it is advised that anyone with GERD avoids it.
Peppermint may help to alleviate cramps and muscle spasms and also is of assistance with nausea.