Herbal Tea for Medicine and Health

Herbal tea is a generic term for tea made from herbs instead of tea leaves from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Herbal tea can be made from just about any herb in existence.

Herbal tea is also known as tisane. The name notes that the tea is not made from tea leaves.

Herbal tea can be made from fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots. The tea is usually made by pouring warm to boiling water over the plant parts and allowing the mixture to brew for several minutes. If seeds or roots are used, they are often boiled separately on a stove before being used to make the tea.

The majority of herbal teas have medicinal properties.

Varieties of herbal tea

There are many varieties of herbal tea. Some of these include:

Other varieties of herbal tea include: 

  • Blueberry tea: Dried leaves from the blueberry plant are used to make this variety of herbal tea. Blueberry tea is used to help inflamed kidneys and increase the flow of urine.
  • Kava: The root of the plant, from the South Pacific, is used for relaxation purposes. It is also known to promote talkativeness in drinkers.
  • Persimmon tea: Dried, crushed leaves are used to make a strongly-tasting tea, rich in Vitamin C.
  • Peppermint tea: Fresh or dried leaves can be used to make a refreshing-tasting tea, recommended for after-dinner consumption.
  • Rosehip tea: A handful of rosehips, brewed for 10 minutes, is said to be beneficial for colds and influenza. The tea has a tart taste, and the rosehips can be used fresh or dried.