One of the nation’s favourite things to do is drink tea; chatting over a cuppa with our closest friends is something we rarely say no to. With various flavours on offer, are we missing a trick by choosing black tea over herbal tea? In this article, we delve into the tea bags and discover the impact herbal tea could have on our health.  

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile has been used for many health applications, dating back to the ancient Greeks. These days, many people drink it as a tea, and it has many benefits to health. 

Full of antibacterial properties, chamomile tea, can help to prevent bacterial-related illness such as colds and can even help to heal small cuts. As Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, this means that stomach aches can be soothed as well, as chamomile helps the stomach muscles to relax, which also reduces cramps. 

For this reason, chamomile has been said to benefit people that suffer from menstrual cramps and irritable bowel syndrome. Chamomile is also full of anti-microbial properties, which helps the gut by decreasing excessive gas. If that's not enough, drinking a cup of chamomile tea 30-45 minutes before bed, is said to promote sleep as the aroma helps you to relax.  

However, as with anything, it's advisable to drink chamomile tea in moderation - sticking to a maximum of 2 cups a day, as this helps to reduce any skin reactions, drowsiness, and vomiting. 

Peppermint Tea

Full of calcium, vitamin B, and antioxidants, peppermint tea is said to reduce pain, improve digestion, and even aid weight loss by controlling your appetite. Packed full of antibacterial properties, this powerful brew can kill germs and can stop bad breath in its tracks. As it is a natural sedative, drinking peppermint tea can also relax your body and mind, thus promoting sleep. 

The antibacterial properties of peppermint can help boost the immune system, protect you from illness and reduce nausea and vomiting.

However, exceeding the recommended amount of 2-3 cups a day can cause heartburn and possible reactions. In addition to this, if you take regular medicines, it's best to check with a health professional about the use of peppermint tea ,as it can react negatively with other medications. 

Ginger Tea

Ginger is a flowering plant and it's used as a spice, yet in tea, it is known to have properties that boost health, which is why ginger has been used for years in folk medicine. Ginger is said to improve our blood circulation and reduce blood pressure, as it is high in vitamin C, magnesium and a wide selection of minerals. The powerful aroma of ginger is also believed to reduce stress and help with sleep patterns. 

If this isn't enough, ginger can improve digestion, prevent nausea and is widely used to relieve pregnant women of morning sickness. As an anti-inflammatory, drinking ginger tea can help aid muscle and joint problems and strengthen our immunity due to the high levels of antioxidants. All things considered - it certainly seems well worth a try.

Again, it's recommended that you don't consume more than 4 grams of ginger a day, which amounts to a few cups of ginger tea. Otherwise, you may start to suffer from heartburn, a stomach upset or allergies, or you could also become light-headed. Ginger is also a blood thinner, so be careful when drinking ginger tea that it doesn't interfere with other health conditions or medicines. Always speak to your pharmacist when possible to make sure you can still enjoy the benefits of ginger tea.  

Blackberry Tea

Blackberries are rich in antibodies, have antiseptic qualities and have natural anti-inflammatory properties. With all these health-boosting benefits, drinking blackberry tea could provide you with better health. 

Drinking blackberry tea helps to cleanse the body and prevent infection, and as it is an anti-inflammatory, it promotes good oral health and reduces inflammation of the gums. Blackberry tea is also rich in vitamin K, which helps by supporting bone health. 

However, drinking too much can lead to stomach upsets, nausea, vomiting and - if consumed excessively - can even affect the liver. Blackberries in large volumes can also interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron and calcium, so stick to 2 cups per day. 

Lavender Tea

Lavender has a distinctive smell especially when it's being used in tea. The aroma of lavender tea promotes relaxation and sleep, and studies have also found that there's a strong evidence base linking lavender tea with the ability to soothe anxiety, insomnia, stress and depression. 

Like many other herbal teas, lavender tea has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in antibodies, all in which can provide digestive relief, relax muscles and help control convulsions and spasms, sooth headaches and toothache. Used tea bags can help to soothe irritated and dry skin and even washing your hair in lavender tea can prevent dandruff. When drinking lavender tea, however, stick to 2 cups a day to prevent headaches, constipation, and irritation.

Herbal teas have been enjoyed for thousands of years, thus simply swapping the usual milk and two sugars black tea brew with a cup of one of the great herbal teas out there, may lead to you enjoying some great health benefits.  

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