This week it’s herbal tea helpers from Kat’s Kitchen. Herbal teas are great all year around whether you want something hot in the winter or something that will actually cool you down if you drink a hot drink in the Summer.
Herbal teas come from a variety of dried flowers, spices, herbs and fruits. This means there’s a huge selection to chose from and they provide a great choice in terms of health benefits.
Here’s a few ideas of what to enjoy depending on the health benefits you’re seeking:
To unwind/relax
Tea is often very calming and a great way to unwind after a long day. Having a cup of herbal tea to relax is often a better option than taking a more standard form of medication.
The relaxing properties of tea can also help with sleep disorders such as insomnia or a restless sleep. Valerian tea offers strong natural sedative properties to help you get to sleep but beware it is very strong so use it sparingly.
Other great teas to relax with are peppermint (my favourite) and chamomile. Peppermint tea is a muscle relaxant and chamomile tea is thought to help with anxiety.
Immune system boost
When you’re feeling a bit under the weather and run down a cup of tea can really work wonders. In Ayurveda medicine tulsi tea has been used to boost the immune system during illnesses. Teas are even though to help you recover from cold/flu more quickly.
Ginseng tea is used a lot in Asian countries and it supports the reproduction of white blood cells which help fight infection. Dandelion tea has a high concentration of antioxidants to help eliminate toxins from the body
Reduce pain and soreness
Recent studies hav shown that capsaicin, willow bark and boswellia can help with aches and pain…….
Turmeric tea has anti-inflammatory properties to help aches and pains associated with arthritis and migraines. It can help with those small pains from workouts or menstrual cramps….You can make your own home made tea from the turmeric root rather than buying -re-made teabags should you wish……
Prevent chronic diseases
Herbal teas are often high is antioxidants which help eliminate free radicals from the body and prevent oxidative stress. Tea also contains polyphenols which have been shown to contribute to lower rates of cancer. Teas are often used in Asia to help prevent diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Polyphenols work to wide the arteries which can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and prevent blood clots.
Hibiscus tea is a deep red tea high in minerals and vitamin C. It has been shown to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
Rooibos tea is from South Africa and is especially good for people with diabetes or heart disease.
Digestive system
Tea absorbs gas, improves blood flow to the digestive tract and eliminates free radicals which can cause an upset stomach and indigestion. They can also strengthen stomach muscles to reduce acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.
Ginger tea stimulates digestive juices which helps support the digestive system. It is also popular to treat nausea and can be drunk after you start to fill a bit ropey to help.
Lots of great reason why herbal tea helpers are great to start including in your diet…..