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For an all-natural and caffeine-free option.
By Aly Walansky — Written on Feb 24, 2020
A steaming cup of tea is great for everything from relaxing to warming up on a cold day. But the right teas can have shocking health benefits, too. Those teas are herbal teas.
“Herbal teas are made from spices, herbs, flowers, and fruits, so they can have a wide array of benefits depending on the preparation,” says Lindsay Malone, MS, RD, CSO, LD, a private practitioner and an adjunct professor of nutrition and wellness. Because herbal tea is naturally calorie and caffeine-free, “This means they keep you hydrated without interfering with sleep or contributing empty calories like soda and sweetened coffee drinks.”
But those aren't the only herbal tea benefits. These ingredients have all sorts of healthy properties.
Adds Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet, “Herbal teas all contain plant compounds known as phytonutrients, which act as antioxidants in the body.”
We know that antioxidants work in the body to prevent and reduce damage caused by free radicals and toxins. Because we live in a world where toxins exist, we all are at risk for this form of damage at the cellular level. When damaged cells replicate, we know they can lead to cancer.
Fortunately, says Richards, “Herbal teas can help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to serious health conditions from chronic pain to chronic disease, and even minor ailments that can add up to serious quality of life issues."
Herbal teas come in a variety of options, and you're likely able to find one to meet just about any need you have:
- Peppermint tea is good for a lot more than chocolate and mint cookies. “Peppermint tea has been used for many years as a means of improving metabolism. The catechins in tea, which are classified as flavonoids, are the metabolism boosting compounds of the drink,” says Richards.
- Black tea has serious value, whether you enjoy Earl Gray or English Breakfast. Richards adds, “Black tea may help to block fat absorption which can increase weight loss. However, adding milk to your black tea may counteract this benefit.”
- Green tea is great for your diet because, as Richards says, “Green tea contains a catechin known as EGCG, which has been shown to improve fat loss in the stomach.”
- Ginger tea is a good option for when you're feeling under the weather. “Ginger tea contains natural plant compounds known as polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants will work in the body to reduce inflammation and also have antiviral properties,” emphasizes Richards.
Whether you want a tea that can help you relax, give you a boost of energy, or improve focus and mental clarity, the best herbal tea all depends on your preferences.
1. BOS Brands Rooibos Red Tea
Not only is this team calming, but it has a variety of healthful benefits as a powerful anti-inflammatory rich in antioxidants, is naturally decaffeinated, and its flavor profile is sweet and earthy. The antioxidants found in rooibos tea are 50x more effective than those found in green tea.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
2. Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger with Chamomile Tea
This tea relieves indigestion or nausea, and has a mildly spicy flavor with floral, honey notes. Ginger has been a staple in China for millennia, and is loved the world over for its remarkable digestive benefits. The ginger is blended with chamomile flower to create a digestive power duo that warms both body and spirit.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
3. Teeccino French Roast Organic Chicory Herbal Tea
Rich, bold flavor with the health benefits of herbal tea, inulin from chicory root is a prebiotic soluble fiber that feeds probiotics and restores gut health. This tea also features capomo ramón seeds from the Maya Biosphere Reserve, which has 3 times more herbs than standard tea bags.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
4. Yogi Tea Honey Lavender Stress Relief
This delicious blend is specifically formulated to help calm your mind and body, and includes lemon balm leaf and passion flower extract, both of which are used to promote relaxation by soothing the nerves.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
5. Jason Winters Classic Blend Herbal Tea with Chaparral
With its unique taste, this tea includes Red Clover, Chaparral and an Herbalene Blend. These herbs all interact together, each one highlighting the properties of the other. To ensure a stronger and more consistent tea, Jason Winters' has developed a proprietary method of pre-brewing its tea by extracting the herbs and spraying the concentrate onto a base of Oolong tea.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
6. Organic India Tulsi Tea
Stress relieving and energizing, Tulsi (also known as Holy Basil) makes a delicious and refreshing tea that possesses wonderful health benefits that support the body's natural immune system, while relieving the body's negative reaction to stress.
(Vitamin Shoppe, $5.99)
7. Traditional Medicinals Organic Roasted Dandelion Root Tea
This tea includes ingredients that stimulate the liver and support healthy digestion. Dandelion is known for its bitter taste, stimulates digestion, and supports your body’s natural detoxification process.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
8. Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile Herbal Leaf Tea
Calms your nerves and supports healthy digestive system with a taste that has fragrant and floral honey notes.
This herbal leaf tea supports a healthy response to stress, and has gentle, floral and earthy taste with a touch of spice. Tulsi is known as “holy basil” and for its ability to help the body adapt to stress.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
9. Pukka Three Ginger Organic Herbal Tea With Galangal & Turmeric
Made with organic galangal, ginger, licorice and turmeric, come alight with this lovely warming organic herbal brew. Naturally caffeine-free and ethically sourced, it's made with 100 percent organically grown ingredients.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
10. Stash Herbal & Decaf Tea Sampler
Enjoy this 40-count sampler of Stash Herbal and Decaffeinated Tea Bags, with 20 flavors, including chamomile, peppermint, blueberry superfruit, mango passionfruit, orange ginger, mint, chocolate hazelnut, green, vanilla chai, and more!
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
11. LION Organic Unsweetened Dandelion Tea
The first-ever bottled dandelion tea makes it easy to get your daily dose of dandelions and reap the benefits of this household plant. Because it acts as a diuretic, dandelion tea has been known to provide relief from bloating, as well as detoxify the liver, help with skin and eye problems, and relieve the symptoms of liver disease.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
12. Teavana Citrus Lavender Herbal Tea
Sweet pineapple, apple and orange zest are balanced by soothing lavender, chamomile and a savory finish with notes of sage. It’s a luscious blend of bright fruit notes alongside calming herbals.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
13. Harney & Sons Chamomile Herbal Tea
Sourcing Egyptian chamomile flowers, this brand uses only flower heads with no extenders. With a light floral and subtle smell of apples, the tea is both kosher and caffeine-free.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
14. The Tao of Tea Hibiscus Ginger Tea
A handcrafted blend of hibiscus flower petals and dried ginger, it is an uplifting and robust brew that's caffeine-free. Its taste is sweet and tart, with a warm, spicy aftertaste.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
15. Tea Forte Organic Herbal Tea Sampler
This sampler contains five varieties of fine herbal tea blends, including Chamomile Citron, Citrus Mint, Ginger Lemongrass, Strawberry Apple, and Wild Berry Hibiscus. Naturally caffeine-free, this set has calming herbs, flowers and fruits, all blended for a luxurious herbal tea experience.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
16. Gaia Herbs Cleanse & Detox Herbal Tea
Naturally supports the detoxification process, as Orthosiphon encourages elimination of excess fluid and Rooibos has high antioxidant values. It's further complemented by essential oils of lemon and peppermint.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
17. Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea
Three types of cinnamon, orange peel and sweet clove are blended into a delightful Asian black tea, accented with a hint of orange. The result is a remarkable assertive black tea blend.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
18. VAHDAM Turmeric Herbal Tea
Curated by expert blenders and with the choicest of botanicals, this vibrant Turmeric Tea Tales gift set includes six delicious turmeric blends that are a perfect mix of farm-fresh flavors. The assortment includes Turmeric Spiced, Turmeric Moringa, Turmeric Ashwagandha, Turmeric Fennel, Turmeric Ginger, and Turmeric Saffron.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. Stash Tea Cinnamon Vanilla Herbal Tea
Spicy, warm cinnamon blends with sweet vanilla, soothing chamomile, rooibos, and sarsaparilla for a tea that's both soothing and satisfying. Now, that sounds absolutely delicious!
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
20. Taylors of Harrogate Organic Peppermint Herbal Tea
For centuries, mint has been used as an aid to digestion. The natural peppermint leaves in this tea have a delightful fresh, clean flavor that makes a soothing infusion at any time of the day.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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