Herbal tea, often understated in the world of health, has more health benefits than many people realize!
So what exactly is herbal tea and how does it differ from black, green and white teas?
Herbal tea is essentially a blend of roots, seeds, leaf extracts, fruits, herbs and countless vitamins/minerals, according to WebMD. Mint, rosehip, chamomile, ginger, ginseng, rooibos and jasmine are all examples of types of herbal tea.
Black, white and green teas contain more of an antioxidant component than herbal teas do. Herbal teas tend to be more health-issue specific. For example, if you have trouble sleeping, you might drink some chamomile tea. If you have a cold, you might drink ginger tea.
Black, white and green teas are used to detoxify more than they are to cure certain ailments like herbal teas are.
So what exactly makes herbal teas so good for your health?
I got the opinions of two experts: an expert in the nutrition behind herbal tea and one who discussed the health uses of herbs in general.
Dean Chiarelli, a nutrition professor at ASU, says herbal teas are great for hydration purposes. They encourage drinking and are more interesting to consume than water, he said.
“Consumers should, however, be aware that herbal teas can contain pharmacologically active ingredients depending on the herb,” Chiarelli said. “For example, chamomile tea can make people feel sleepy because it has a pharmacologically active ingredient that promotes sleep. Some teas contain central nervous system stimulants that may give a person a sense of being more alert or having more energy.”
Andrew Cummings, herbal consultant at Chakra 4 Herb Company, a tea and herbal remedy shop at 20th Street south of Camelback Road, explained the way Chakra 4 aims to provide herbs that help health.
Many of the herbs they prepare are organic and medicinal, which are often prepared like tea by being infused in hot water, Cummings said.
“We have herbs to support the immune system if somebody has a cold, or herbs to clear the sinuses if somebody has allergies,” he said. “The owner put together his formulas based on traditional herbal knowledge as well as more recent scientific knowledge that supports herbal uses.”
While most herbal teas are harmless, it’s also important to consider what sort of medical conditions you have prior to drinking herbal teas. As Chiarelli said, some teas have pharmacologically active ingredients that can stimulate certain parts of your body.
Most people don’t think to cure their everyday ailments with a simple cup of herbal tea instead of going to pills and other means of “medicating.”
Incorporating herbal teas into your life is a great idea if you want a natural way to not only stay healthy today, but to also preserve health in a long-term sense.
So where are some convenient tea locations for the downtown resident?
- Chakra 4 Herb Company, mentioned earlier.
- Souvia Tea: Located on Seventh Street and Coral Gables Drive.
- Wisdom Nectar Tea: Featured seasonally at the Phoenix Public Market.
- Songbird Coffee & Tea House: Located on Roosevelt and Second streets.
Herbal teas can really benefit those who want a more organic way to medicate or preserve health! Drink to your health with a cup of tea every once in a while.
Stay healthy, my friends!
Contact the columnist at wshahid@asu.edu.
