Guest blog by Hayley Hinton from Infuse Herbal Teas.
Herbal teas are made from beautiful, natural, nutritious plants. When you infuse a herbal tea, the hot water extracts therapeutic nutrients from the herbs in your blend, leaving you with an infusion brimming with health benefits.
Let’s explore some of the health benefits of common herbal teas:
Peppermint tea – contains an essential oil called menthol, which has pain relieving counter-irritant properties. Menthol effects the cold-receptors of the skin, which makes peppermint a cooling herb. Compounds in peppermint have an anti-spasmodic action, particularly on the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to peppermint’s ability to ease digestive cramps. Peppermint also contains a compound called rosmarinic acid, which opens the airways, beneficial in the management of asthma, and to clear a blocked nose associated with allergies or with the common cold.
Chamomile tea – chamomile is a great herb for children, and has long been used to treat colic, gas pain and discomfort in infants. It’s completely safe to give your baby chamomile tea, just ensure the tea has cooled enough for baby to drink comfortably. Of course, chamomile has the same effect on adults suffering gas pain and discomfort, as it helps the muscles of the digestive tract relax and dispel the problem wind. Chamomile also has a protective effect on pancreatic beta cells, protecting them from oxidative stress, making it a great herbal tea for diabetics.
Hibiscus tea – has a bright, tart flavour and is consumed for its health benefits in many parts of the world. In Egypt, it is known as Karkade, and in the Americas it is known as Roselle. It’s health benefits include lowering blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. It is extremely high in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, making it a great immune boosting tea. Hibiscus is often consumed as an iced tea, as it is a great thirst-quencher, and helps flush excess fluid and toxins out of the body through its diuretic action.
Ginger tea – being an aromatic spice, ginger tea improves circulation in the body, helping maintain healthy blood flow to all parts of the body. For this reason, it’s great stimulating spice for heart health, immune health and brain health. Ginger tea has long been used to help relieve common colds, coughs and sore throats, as it is high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Ginger contains an essential oil called gingerol, which has pain-relieving, nerve-soothing, and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as anti-nausea effects, making it a great tea to drink if morning sickness, motion sickness, or any other nausea is an issue.
Rooibos tea – is a herbal tea from South Africa, rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It’s great for cardiovascular health, as it contains quercetin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory actions, which lowers blood pressure and relieves nervous tension. Rooibos is high in the minerals calcium, manganese, and fluoride, making it an excellent herbal tea for teeth and bone health. Rooibos also balances blood sugar, and improves insulin resistance, making it a great tea to prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes, or to help manage blood sugar in diabetics.
Herbal teas carry a wide array of therapeutic health benefits. Find the right herbal teas to suit you, and enjoy them every day – your health is worth it!
Hayley graduated the Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy in 2015, which included extensive training in herbal and nutritional medicines. She translates this education to her range of herbal teas by incorporating herbs specific to the body systems each blend seeks to nurture.
To hear more about Hayley and her wonderful range of herbal teas, you can listen to episode 20 of The Naked Naturopath podcast!