Texas and the US loves to consume its tea… iced and usually in the summers; but outside the US, hot tea is common and almost known as medicine in a cup. There are literally endless number of ways to create a hot flavored drink that can bring heat into the body and have a health impact. So what are the best herbal teas one can create or drink? From a nutritional therapist’s point of view – who has experience living in both the UK and India – these are my suggestions.
Herbal teas can contain flowers, herbs, spices, and other roots; but do not typically contain “tea” which is anything derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant (green, white, black, oolong tea variations). Most herbal teas are caffeine-free and gluten-free… but NOT ALL. So if that is important to you, then you must read the ingredients and certified designations of any new tea you introduce. The benefits of herbal teas are:
- Positive health impact
- Won’t keep you up at night
- Can be used as a smoothie base
- Can be used to flavor cooking (oatmeal, soup, marinades, grains)
- Can be used as a cocktail mixer
- Loose herbal teas can be used as garnish (salads, desserts)
Darshi’s Suggestions:
- Ginger: A pungent taste best known to help with supporting immunity, reducing nausea, reducing motion sickness, creating inner heat, fighting inflammation, reducing pain (post-workout, osteoarthritis, menstruation). You don’t have to buy tea bags if you already stock fresh ginger. Simply grate washed ginger (skin and all) into boiling water and boil or steep for a few minutes. I like to instant pot my tea on the soup cycle to intensify the flavor and make larger portions to use throughout the week (hot or iced).
- Mint: A sweet taste best known to help with easing indigestion, enhanced breathing/ bronchial relaxation, and better muscle repair/ increased oxygen levels to the brain and other organs. You don’t have to buy tea bags if you already stock or grow fresh mint. Simply add washed mint leaves into boiling water and boil or steep for a few minutes. There are new varieties of mint plants, including a chocolate mint plant that makes minty chocolate tea or cocktails.
- Hibiscus: A tart taste best known to help with promoting weight loss, boosting good cholesterol (HDL), lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), lowering triglycerides in diabetics, and protecting the liver. It is also immune-supporting and anti-bacterial. You have to buy tea bags here for full impact.
- Roobios: An earthy taste best known to help with fighting inflammation, protecting bone health, improving digestion, and preventing obesity. It has some important minerals too (iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc, and magnesium).
- Chamomile: A floral taste best known to help with calming/inducing sleep, fighting inflammation, easing menstrual cramps, regulating blood sugar and protecting bone density
