For thousands of years, herbal tea has been consumed for medicinal purposes. Dating back to Ancient Egypt and Ancient China, herbal teas were utilized to heal a plethora of ailments. From remedying hay fever to headaches, herbal teas have the power to be an effective natural supplement to our diet.
What Is Herbal Tea?
Herbal tea isn’t what we traditionally think of as tea, which consists of brewed leaves from a traditional tea bush. Instead, herbal tea is made from a number of plants and herbs.
Green tea, white tea, oolong tea, and black tea are all considered traditions teas. Teas that are prepared from steeping leaves, stems, roots, flowers, back, or rhizomes of a particular herb, or a combination of herbs, are considered herbal teas.
Herbal Tea Remedies
Herbal teas present a multitude of benefits, including medicinal qualities that can heal a variety of ailments. The following are some herbal tea remedies you can use for common illnesses and conditions:
Cold and Cough – Echinacea
If you are coming down with a cough or cold, your best bet might be to drink some echinacea tea. Research has shown that echinacea has the ability to increase the number of white blood cells to help fight infection. .
Sore Throat – Licorice Root
Aside from its healing benefits for the skin, licorice is a soothing herb for a sore throat. As a natural demulcent, licorice can heal inflamed tissue in the throat. It also is a natural expectorant, assisting the body in expelling mucus from the throat and lungs.
Migraines – Butterbur
Butterbur contains Petasin and Isopetasin, both of which possess antispasmodic and antimuscarinic effects. Together, these properties help fight inflammation that could be leading to migraines and help reduce migraine headaches.
Indigestion – Ginger
Ginger can particularly effective for aiding digesting and easing nausea. Ginger contains an antioxidant property known as gingerols, which can help calm the digestive tract along with the esophagus tube and ease associated symptoms.
High Blood Pressure – Fenugreek
Fenugreek has been found to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Naturally low in salt and high in fiber, fenugreek is an effective herb used to alleviate high blood pressure. Because fenugreek is so high in fiber, it also has the added benefit of being a natural laxative that can prevent and relieve constipation.
Feeling Sick? Heal It With an Herb
Utilizing herbal tea for medicine dates back thousands of years and has shown to be an effective natural remedy for a variety of common ailments. Herbal teas also tend to come in a multitude of wonderful flavors that are naturally low in sugar and calories, making herbal teas all the more attractive.
Whether you are a tea lover or just looking for a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, it may be wise to talk to your doctor about incorporating one or more herbal teas into your treatment plan.
