How switching your cuppa out for herbal tea this winter can be good for your health

It could be argued that there’s nothing quite as Irish as a good cup of tea. In fact, we are the biggest tea drinking nation in the entire world, per capita. And while there’s nothing wrong with a traditional cup of Barry’s or Lyons with milk and sugar, there are some healthier herbal alternatives which can help weight loss by helping your body to detox, boost your hydration and aid your digestive systems.

What Is Herbal Tea?

Herbal teas are usually a blend of leaves, seeds and roots. When you drink an herbal tea, you get all the benefits of the plants in a way which is more digestible and pleasant than chewing on grass, leaves or bark.

Benefits of Herbal Tea

There are many different types of herbal teas, each with their own individual health benefits determined by their ingredients. No matter what kind of tea you’re drinking, you will benefit from the increased hydration, as well as the aromatherapy as the infusion of ingredients enter your senses. This makes drinking a good cup of tea an incredibly relaxing experience.

Make your cuppa work for you

If you’re drinking tea for the health benefits, you’ll want to source good quality products with great ingredients. Try to steer clear of teas which list added essential oils or flavours in the ingredients. Common ice teas available in shops and supermarkets should also be avoided as most contain sugar as their main ingredient.

To get the most from your cup of tea, let it steep for a good ten minutes to let all the healthy properties enter the waters. It’s also a good idea to make a habit of drinking your tea – your health won’t immediately improve after one cuppa; you’ll have to consume it regularly to see real results.

Best Teas for Your Health

For general health: Nettle tea benefits                                                                                     

When most of us think of nettles we associate it with nasty stings as a child. But there’s so much more to this incredible plant. Drinking nettle tea, which is made from the leaves of the stinging plant, can help a number of ailments:

• It’s great for anaemia, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
• It’s also a diuretic, meaning it increases urine output and helps remove uric acid which aids UTIs, kidney problems, and bladder issues.
• It’s effective for controlling allergies and, like rooibos, is great for hair and skincare.
• It’s even said to boost fertility in males by improving sperm motility and replenishing testosterone in the body.

For your immune system: Rosehip tea benefits

When looking for a tea to help your immune system, you should choose a variety which contains high levels of vitamin C. Rosehips come from the rose plant and are often cited as the best plant source of Vitamin C and can offer a little boost to your system, your tissue health and your adrenal function.

For insomnia: Chamomile tea benefits

Chamomile is one of the most popular varieties of herbal tea, as it has an aromatic floral flavour. But, of course it has excellent benefits for your mind and body too. Research has found that chamomile tea has a similar effect to certain anxiety reducing medicines. It includes flavonoids which bind to certain receptors in the brain which has a calming impact.

As well as helping with sleep, chamomile tea is another great remedy for digestive issues and inflammation.

For weight loss: Green tea benefits

There is no tea in the world that can make you lose weight alone, without healthy eating and exercise. That said, green tea can help speed up the process by increasing your metabolic rate (how fast you burn calories). The compounds in green tea called Catechins can trigger the release of fat from fat cells and help the lever turn fat into energy more effectively.

For heart health: Hawthorn tea benefits

Hawthorn tea is not as easy to find in your local supermarket but the leaves, flowers and berries of the plant are used in a variety of teas, including many peach and berry varieties. It can have an impact on your heart health by relaxing and dilating blood vessels to improve blood circulation and decreasing stress on your heart.

For your skin: Rooibos tea benefits

Rooibos is another one of the most popular teas as it tastes great and is easy to drink. It’s high in many vitamins and minerals, most prominently vitamin C which can give a serious boost to your immune system

For bloating: Peppermint tea benefits

If you’re feeling a little bit bloated, try a cup of peppermint tea to relieve abdominal gas and pain. Peppermint tea is a relaxant and can help with any spasms in muscles, gastrointestinal tract, bile duct and gall bladder. If you suffer from persistent indigestion then sip slowly on a cup of peppermint tea about half an hour before food.

For water retention: Dandelion tea benefits

When you want to look and feel a little bit slimmer, a cup of Dandelion tea can help you appear less puffy and bloated. It’s loaded with potassium to reduce sodium levels and get rid of unpleasant water retention. With magnesium, it’s also great for premenstrual bloating during that time of the month.

For a liver detox: Milk Thistle Tea benefits

No tea can detox your body; that’s what your liver and kidneys are for. However, there are certain teas which can promote healthy digestive function and help your liver do its job a little better.

When it comes to your liver health, milk thistle tea is one of the best natural remedies. It increases bile production and reduces inflammation to improve digestive processes.

For nausea: Ginger tea benefits

Ginger is an excellent cure for nausea or an upset stomach and is often recommended to pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. It helps the body absorb nutrients and improves food digestion.

Although it’s mainly known for curbing sickness, ginger tea is a great all-rounder; it has calming properties, it fights inflammation and joint pain and is an effective cure for the common cold when combined with lemon and honey.

All of these teas can be found in your local health store. Always read the labels and enjoy in moderation!