I’m a coffee girl myself, but there are days when the body craves the calming effects of a herbal concoction. From leaves to flowers to roots, nature is filled with delicious, divine-smelling herbs that have great health benefits. Leaving aside the usual caffeinated, oxalic acid containing Camellia variety of teas, I thought it’d be nice to have a look at the caffeine- free concoctions. Here are some of my favourite herbs to brew, alone or in combination, along with their health benefits.
Disclaimer - While I firmly believe in herbal remedies, I will always recommend that pregnant and lactating mother and people who have a pre-existing health condition should always consult with their doctors before trying any herbs.
1. Rooibos
Gaining popularity is this delicious herb from southern Africa. Rooibos has been extoled as a herb rich in antioxidants and minerals. However, the main mineral content in rooibos is copper and fluoride. Generally, the leaves are fermented to a reddish-brown colour and then brewed, giving the concoction the same colour. It can, however, be brewed from the fresh green leaves of the plant, which is all the more jam-packed with antioxidants.
Antioxidants are key to maintaining health as they prevent the oxidising effects of free radicals on our cells and DNA. This oxidation is responsible for the aging process and also for diseases such as cancer. In addition, antioxidants maintain the health of the cardiovascular system – reducing the possibilities of heart attacks and strokes. The most abundant minerals in rooibos are copper and fluoride, which are micronutrients required in small quantities to carry out cellular functions. Copper is needed for several cellular functions such as neutralisation of free-radicals, collagen production, maintaining immune health, neuronal signalling, among many others. Fluoride is required in trace amounts to maintain bone health, including dental health.
My favourite way of having rooibos tea is brewing it with some cacao nibs and adding a dash of manuka honey to sweeten it. Try it, you won’t be disappointed!
Contra-indications – Please avoid rooibos if you have Wilson Disease or any other condition where your body is unable to digest copper. If you live in locations where the drinking water supply is rich in fluorides, again, reduce your usage of rooibos.
2. Spearmint
Belonging to the mint family, spearmint is very popular as a chewing gum flavour. Spearmint is a beautifully aromatic herb frequently used for common digestive disorders such as gas, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Recently, it has found use in soothing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gall bladder inflammation. In addition, spearmint oil is also used for headaches, motion-sickness and as a salve for muscular pain. I use spearmint oil in my homemade toothpaste to keep my breath fresh and teeth healthy.
Another amazing benefit of spearmint, which peppermint does not have, is in balancing hormonal imbalances. Women who are prone to male-pattern balding and hirsutism (excessive facial hair), both caused by excessive production of male hormones in the body, and irregular periods due to hormonal issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can benefit by introducing spearmint into their health regime. Of course, nothing will change overnight, but over a period of time, and with a proper health management regime, changes are definitely visible.
Spearmint tea is amazing on its own, however, I do like it blended with some flowers, such as jasmine or rose.
Contra-indications – People already suffering from kidney and liver diseases should avoid spearmint as it may further damage to these organs. People suffering from stomach ulcers and hyperacidity should also avoid spearmint as it can aggravate the condition since spearmint increases acid production to aid digestion. Avoid spearmint if you are on any medication that causes sleepiness or drowsiness, because this herb has a calmative effect on the nervous system.
3. Stinging Nettle
This little stinging herb is chock-a-block full of nutrients. Rich in vitamins A, C, K and several B vitamins, all essential amino acids (the building blocks of proteins that are not produced by the body), essential fatty acids and pigments such as beta-carotene, lutein, etc., should be part of every person’s diet!
Due to its rich vitamin and fat content, nettle is known to reduce inflammation in the body. Diseases like PCOS and benign prostrate hyperplasia (BPH) are cause due to inflammation of the respective organs. Nettle has been found to be effective, and several laboratory experiments are being conducted to study its effect on these two health conditions. Arthritis and hay fever, both inflammatory problems (hay fever, essentially allergic reaction to pollen, is an inflammatory condition when the immune cells over-react), have also shown improvement with use of nettle.
Nettle can also help lower blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of strokes, by increasing the production of nitric oxide which acts as vasodilator (increasing the circumference of the blood vessels). Further, nettle contains chemicals which block the calcium pathways in the body which causes relaxation in the heart muscles. Nettle is also great for people with diabetes, or pre-diabetics who do not require medication, only dietary care.
I love my nettle tea with a bit of fennel or spearmint to take the edge off its rather grassy and bitter taste. Another delicious way of having your nettle is using it as a flavouring herb in your soup.
Contra-indications – people with blood pressure issues, and on blood pressure medication should avoid nettle. Also, diabetics on insulin should avoid this herb as it causing a lowering of blood sugar levels. People with arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) and bradycardia (slow heartbeat) should avoid nettle as well.
4. Hibiscus
A plant commonly found in India, Southeast Asia and Africa, with large flowers that are bright red, cream or yellow in colour. The red flowers are commonly used in many medicinal preparations and food flavouring. The flowers are tart and rich in vitamin C. Historically, hibiscus flowers have been used in ayurvedic preparations for the hair and in several Egyptian medications.
Apart from vitamin C, hibiscus is rich in antioxidants and lipids which help in maintaining blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health and helps maintain blood sugar levels. The vitamin C boosts the immune system and helps fight off common colds and coughs. Vitamin C is also an essential ingredient for the body to make collagen – an important building block of cartilage which helps prevent arthritis. Collagen is also a key material, along with elastin, to maintain skin elasticity, i.e., keeping you young looking. The red pigment of the flower is anthocyanin which has potential antibacterial effects.
I love this tea as is – brewed either hot or with ice – and a bit of honey or agave syrup to sweeten it!
Contra-indications – People with blood pressure problems and on medication should avoid this flower. Further, due to its glycaemic activities, it can cause hypoglycaemia in diabetics. Hibiscus is rich in phytoestrogen, a plant hormone similar to human oestrogen, which can interfere with oestrogen-based birth control pills.
5. Cardamom
This aromatic herb comes as seeds in a green pod. Commonly used to flavour foods and desserts in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines, cardamom has fantastic health-giving properties from fighting cancers and calming ulcers to treating infections and preventing dental cavities!
This miracle herb has been undergoing a lot of scientific research and there has been some evidence that hints towards its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gut-healing, infection fighting properties. This is one of the few herbs that reduces acid production in the stomach and is a remedy for stomach ulcers and hyperacidity. Its anti-inflammatory activities on the liver have been noted in laboratory studies – especially reducing inflammation caused by eating a high carbohydrate diet. The anti-cancer activities of cardamom have been tested in rats and significant protection against skin cancer was seen in them.
My favourite way to use cardamom is in chai –spiced Indian tea. Another way that is commonly used in the Middle East is to flavour coffee (prepared with milk) with cardamom. I also like to sprinkle some cardamom powder on my hot chocolates :D!
Contra-indications – this is one of the herbs that no side effects have been noted. In fact, in my culture, cardamom rich foods are given to pregnant and lactating mothers since it is said to improve the quality of milk produced!
I hope you have enjoyed this piece on herbal teas and will try some, if not all, of them. Happy brewing!
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