Surprising herbal tea benefits and 8 caffeine-free teas (some you probably haven’t tried!)

Can you imagine the first time someone put a cup of hot herbal tea to their lips? Did they know the vast herbal tea benefits back then? Maybe it was made from dried rose hips or chamomile. The sweet fragrance kissed their smiling cheeks as it rose up in curls of steam around their face. They felt instantly transformed and strengthened from inside.

The cup was probably made of stone or clay instead of porcelain. It was generations ago in the cool green mountains of China or the exotic deserts in Egypt. These ancient cultures intuitively learned about the benefits that came along with enjoying their favorite herbal teas and passed the tradition through the ages and on to us.

Today I’m going to show you how to bring the benefits our ancestors discovered to our busy everyday lives. I’ll share:

• The differences between “true” tea and herbal tea and when you can drink herbal tea
• Which herbal teas fight cancer cells, increase digestion, help stave off colds and flu, help you sleep better and think more clearly
• 3 easy herbal tea recipes and my three herbal teabag recommendations (these are safe and natural!)
• The names of two dangerous chemicals to avoid when buying bagged tea
• A downloadable Mint Cheat Sheet including a refreshing Flat Tummy Water recipe

Herbal Tea Benefits: The Differences In Teas

Tea is tea, right? Well, actually…

What most people consider “true” tea, comes from a specific plant called Camellia sinensis. This is where we get green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong and pu-erh tea. These teas are known as tisane tea. People love tisane teas for their caffeine and antioxidants.

Herbal tea benefits are ample too, but they don’t have the caffeine and they’re a little gentler overall. Herbal tea is made from dried spices, herbs, fruit and flowers. Some of the most popular herbal teas are chamomile, ginger and peppermint.

When is it Ok to have herbal tea?

Anytime! Herbal tea is naturally non-caffeinated. That means you can pretty much enjoy your favorite cup of hot (or iced) herbal tea whenever the mood strikes you.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about what herbal teas might be ok for you to have. Science doesn’t know the full effects of herbal teas during pregnancy or for infants yet, so most pregnancy authorities advise against herbal tea while pregnant.

Benefits of Herbal Tea 1: Anti-cancer and Diabetes Complications  Prevention

Many herbal teas have antioxidants that both help fight off cancer cells and help prevent complications from diabetes.

Antioxidants in chamomile tea work in the body to block and fight free radical cells, which can turn cancerous.

ScienceDaily says that researchers in Japan and the UK have found that chamomile might help prevent diabetes complications like nerve and kidney damage or vision loss.

Benefits of Herbal Tea 2: Better digestion and anti-nausea

By helping your body break down fats in your digestive tract and relieving constipation, many herbal teas can improve your digestion. Ginger tea is one of the best teas for digestion and it also helps to relieve an upset tummy.

Peppermint tea can reduce bloating and soothe nausea too, but it can make heartburn worse. So, don’t drink peppermint tea if you have acid reflux or chronic heartburn.

Peppermint tea also helps relieve irritable bowel syndrome and can even relieve spasms throughout the digestive system.

Benefits of Herbal Tea 3: Stave off Colds and Flu

Several herbal teas, such as ginger, have antibacterial and antiviral properties that help your body defend itself against head colds and the flu. They may even help you recover faster if you do get sick.

Echinacea is popular for fighting sickness, even though the science behind it isn’t conclusive, it works for a lot of people! Overall, Echinacea tea seems to help soothe a sore throat and might be able to help your body fight the cold.

Rose Hip tea is a source of Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. It’s also anti-inflammatory, which eases body aches and pains caused by the flu or even arthritis.

Benefits of Herbal Tea 4: Sleep Better

Chamomile is probably the best-known tea for helping you relax and ease into sleepy time. Many studies show people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, find relief with chamomile tea.

Valerian is an herbal tea that calms anxiety and acts like a gentle sedative on the brain and nervous system. It soothes you into a peaceful state so you can relax and fall asleep.

Lemon balm also helps increase feelings of calm and reduce anxiety, which can lull you into a restful state, too

Benefits of Herbal Tea 5: Boost Your Mood and Think Clearer

Healthline talks about lemon balm tea as an amazing tool for reducing stress. It also improves feelings of calm and boosts your memory. In fact, it’s even been linked to helping to process math (and probably other) problems more easily!

Sage tea is known as a mood-booster and memory aid. If fact, it even seems to show improvements in Alzheimer’s patients. Even healthy adults can benefit from this amazing herbal tea with links to better cognitive function.

8 Best Herbal Teas, Their Benefits and 3 Recommended Teabags

Here’s a summary of the eight teas I talked about and a few their benefits:

1. Chamomile Tea – Fights cancer cells, reduces diabetes complications, sleep aid
2. Ginger Tea – Stimulates digestion and soothes nausea, helps fight cold/flu
3. Peppermint Tea – Reduces bloating, aids digestion, soothes nausea
4. Echinacea Tea – Might helps defend body against colds and flu
5. Rose Hip Tea – Boosts immune system, anti-inflammatory to soothe aches and pains
6. Valerian Tea – Acts as a gentle sedative and relieves anxiety
7. Lemon Balm Tea – Reduces anxiety and stress, helps memory and problem-solving
8. Sage Tea – Boosts mood, memory and cognitive function

Here are three of my favorite bagged teas that are safe and natural:

• Trader Joe’s Organic Ginger Turmeric Herbal Tea
• Traditional Medicinals Stress Ease Cinnamon
• Stash Organic Peppermint Herbal Tea

A Few Cautions For Drinking Herbal Tea

• Be sure to drink unsweetened herbal tea. Some teas have additives, flavorings and sweeteners, which aren’t good for your health or your weight.
• Look for teas with tea bags made without PET (polyethylene terephthalate). It’s a toxic plastic material that can leach into your tea.
• For paper tea bags, look for bags that are NOT treated with epichlorohydrin, a material also used for epoxy (super glue) AND pesticides! It’s linked to cancer in animals, infertility and suppressed immune function.
• Online health magazine has a list of some safe and unsafe tea brands here.

• If you’re pregnant, ask your doctor before trying any teas. The effects could vary from person to person, too. Some pregnant women drink ginger tea to help relieve nausea from morning sickness. Ask your doctor if that or other teas might be ok for your body and how many cups a day are safe per day.

What’s your favorite cup of herbal tea to curl up with? Do you notice a difference when you get in the habit of drinking tea instead of soda or juice? Let me know in the comments below!