Herbal Tea: Benefits for Your Health and Beauty

Herbal tea has been imbibed nearly as long as written history extends. Also known as a tisane or herbal infusion, an herbal tea is simply the combination of boiling water and dried fruit, flower or herb.

An herbal tea, or tisane is an herbal infusion made from anything other than the leaves of the tea bush. The English word "tisane" originated from the Greek word “ptisane”, a drink made from pearl barley.

Herbal teas can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove.
World of herbal teas extends beyond our imaginations. Teas have been a common tastes world wide. Since time immemorial herbal teas are the part of human and has been a accompanying him in all his occasions and emotion. What is your favorite herbal tea? You can choose from the list below!


Here are 10 the most common herbal teas and their benefits for your health. Want some more? Check these best herbal tea blends!
1. Roasted Barley Tea
Known as Mugicha, roasted barley tea is a very popular hot weather beverage that's noted for cooling down the body and cleansing the system. If you want a caffeine-free coffee substitute this is for you. A remedy for cold and flu for breaking up congestion, phlegm and other symptoms of the nasty seasonal bug, treatment for hemorrhoids, inflammatory arthritis and are believed to help reduce toxicity and side-effects of radiation and chemotherapy.


So if you want to try this health drink, here is the way to make it:

• 2 ounces barley - roasted
• 1 and 1/2 pints water
• honey - to taste
• lemons juice - to taste

To roast the barley, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add barley. Stirring constantly, cook until barley becomes golden brown and fragrant. In a medium-sized sauce pan, bring barley and water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover pan and allow tea to simmer for at least five minutes. Strain through cheesecloth, leaving the liquid as your tea. Add honey and lemon juice to your liking.

2. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs in the world, available in a variety of forms. The most prominent way this herb is enjoyed is as an herbal tea. Considered a universal remedy by the ancient Egyptians, Chamomile continues to be used today to battle illness, promote calm and relieve anxiety at bedtime. Also it is naturally caffeine-free.


Chamomile is a wonderful gift from Nature! To make the chamomile tea, you will need:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers
• lemon juice
• honey

Bring the water to the boil in a saucepan. Sprinkle the flowers onto the water and boil for a further half a minute with the saucepan lid on. Remove from the heat and stand for another minute. Serve with honey and a little lemon juice.
3. Lemongrass Tea
Dried lemongrass leaves to make a zesty, refreshing drink that is highly satisfying both hot and cold. Lemongrass is a great herb for reducing a fever or relieving stomach cramps. It also aids in digestion, especially in children, and helps ease the pain of arthritis. Outside of its healing value, just enjoy the mild lemon taste.


To brew a perfect cup of lemongrass tea you will need:

• 4 stalks lemongrass
• 1 liter water
• 4 teaspoons honey (very optional)

Boil the water. While the water is boiling, clean the stalks of lemongrass under running water then cut and discard the green upper part of the stalks, you only need to use the whitest part. Smash the stalks on your cutting board. Place the smashed stalks of lemon grass inside the tea pot. Pour the boiling water over and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Pour into tea cups and serve with or without sweetener. As with iced tea, this tea can be served cold.
4. Ginger Root Tea
Ginger tea has a spicy, invigorating taste. It's used as a home remedy for indigestion, nausea, and to ward off colds, flu, and sore throats.


Ginger tea is very easy to make. You will need:

• water, 4 cups
• 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root
• optional: honey and lemon slice

Peel the ginger root and slice it into thin slices. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, add the ginger. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and lemon to taste.
5. Hibiscus Tea
Did you know that hibiscus herbal tea is not only delicious, but also a very healthy beverage? Whether you're looking for an herbal remedy to lower high blood pressure or possibly even high cholesterol, an alternative to green tea or a caffeine free beverage rich in Vitamin C, hibiscus tea may just be your answer!

This photo is copyrighted by Amanda Jones, Barbados.

To make this tart drink you will need:

• 2-5 dried hibiscus flowers (in local Hispanic stores)
• 6-8 ounces boiling water
• sugar, to taste (optional)
• mint sprig (optional)

Place blossoms in a teacup Cover with boiling water. When cool enough to taste, add sugar if desired. Garnish with mint.
6. Rooibos Tea
Rooibos Tea is the perfect daily beverage that can be enjoyed in unlimited quantities. This African Herbal tea is rich in many essential natural elements and is the healthiest tea you will ever drink. It has been prescribed for mild depression, nervous tension, digestive problems, and insomnia. Minerals in Red Tea include iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, fluoride, manganese, sodium, and it is also rich in the flavonol quercetin, known to increase capillary strength. Rooibos contains anti - oxidants which can help slow the aging process and boost the immune system. Rooibos is a great thirst quencher and is an excellent beverage without sugar for active people, including children.


For best results steep or simmer in the pot for 5-10 minutes.
7. Anise Tea
This tea is commonly used in Mid East and Puerto Rico. Anise tea is often given to those who have stomach aches, or indigestion. It is even given to children. Besides being an herbal remedy, anise tea is delicious and perfect before bed.


If you like anise, try this tea and you will be pleased that it makes a nice light tea. You’ll need:

• 2 cups water
• 1-2 teaspoon anise seed
• sugar, as desired

Combine ingredients into a teapot and bring to a boil. Once boiling point is achieved let boil for 5 minutes. Pour into your favorite tea cup and enjoy!
8. Yerba Mate Tea
Yerba Mate is a medicinal and cultural drink of ancient origins. Introduced to the world by the Guarani Indians of South America, Mate contains ingredients that help keep its drinkers healthy and energetic. More than a drink, Yerba Mate has become a cultural phenomenon throughout South America. Its benefits are obvious. Yerba Mate has significant antioxidant activity. It helps to boost immunity, cleanse and detoxify the blood, tone the nervous system, restore youthful hair color, retard aging, combat fatigue, stimulate the mind, control the appetite, reduce the effects of debilitating disease, reduce stress, and eliminate insomnia.


To prepare the Mate infusion, the dried minced leaves of the Yerba Mate are placed inside the Mate cup and hot water (approx. 70 C) is added (this is called "cebar el Mate"). The infusion is sucked through a metal pipe called "bombilla," which has a strainer at its lower end to prevent the minced leaves from reaching the mouth.
You will need to f ill the Mate cup with Yerba Mate up to 3/4 of its capacity. Pour some hot water in until it nearly fills the cup. Don't worry if some of the leaves remain dry, floating on the top. They will eventually absorb water in subsequent infusions. Let it stand a few seconds and replenish with hot water when the previous one is absorbed by the dry Mate leaves. When the water is not absorbed anymore, close the bombilla's "mouthpiece" with your thumb and insert it firmly into Mate cup. Enjoy!
9. Kava Root Tea
The kava root is primarily used to fight anxiety disorders and to relieve anxiety related to stress. Low doses of kava improve activity and awareness. Medical specialists often prescribe kava to treat stiffness, insomnia, pain, jet lag, uncontrolled epilepsy, and anxiety. Emotionally, kava produces a sense of general well-being, as well as a noticeably increased urge for talking. It's no wonder that kava consumption is often the harbinger of long tales and intense discussions!


To make the traditional Kava drink, follow these steps. Strain the dried kava powder in water. Use 1 to 2 ounces of powder per person (2 - 4 tablespoons). Place the powder into the strainer bag, hold its edges together at the top with your hand so that none of the powder escapes. Then, immerse the bag into a bowl of cool water. The amount of water will vary according to taste but a good rule of thumb is 2 ounces of powder to a quart of water. Use your hand to knead the kava under the water or bring the strainer out and squeeze then immerse it again in the water. The kava should feel oily at first which is due to kavalactone levels. Keep repeating this process until the kava in your strainer no longer feels oily. The water should take on the appearance of mud. That's it - you are finished!
10. Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is tea made from the leaves of the dandelion plant. Dandelion leaves contains more beta-carotene than carrots, which is important for improving a person's ability to see in dim light. The leaves contain iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, as well as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, and P.
Due to the existence of vitamin E, dandelion tea can be used to alleviate skin complaints. Vitamin E can help encourage the growth of body issue and protects cells from damage, therefore promoting healing and reducing scarring.
Dandelion tea is said to have some more health benefits, including improving liver function, removing gall stones and reduces the inflammation of the bile duct. It has a strong, intense and bitter taste and therefore is usually sweetened before being drunk.


Preparation of dandelion tea:
The best time to harvest the leaves to make dandelion tea is spring, before the flowers appear. Six dandelion leaves should be used for one cup of tea. The leaves should be torn into strips first, before being placed onto the bottom of the cup. Boiling water should then be poured into the cup, and the tea should be left to stand for 5-10 minutes. After standing, the tea should be strained before drinking. For a sweeter tasting tea, add one teaspoon of honey or sugar.

There is nothing like a refreshing cup of tea, but now you know that what you drink can help your health. You can see the health benefits of herbal teas – so choose the right drink and enjoy the delicious taste and your good health!