With a unique taste and aroma, herbal teas can be an interesting choice of drinks to try. Besides being delicious, herbal teas have even been drunk for hundreds of years as traditional medicine to maintain health and help overcome various diseases.
Despite the word "tea", herbal teas are actually not made from tea leaves at all. Herbal teas are obtained by brewing dried herbs, flowers, fruit, leaves, or plant roots. However, herbal teas have a taste and benefits that are no less delicious than regular tea.
In Indonesia itself there are many plants that are often consumed as herbal teas. One of them is sappan wood.
Type-MKinds of Herbal Teas and their Benefits
The following are some types of herbal teas that have long been used to maintain health:
1. Fennel tea
Traditionally, fennel seeds are used to treat digestive disorders, such as upset stomach, bloating, and constipation. Even so, the various benefits of fennel herbal tea still require further study.
To make fennel tea, you can brew 1-2 teaspoons of fennel seeds that have been mashed with one glass of warm water, then let stand for 10-15 minutes before drinking.
2. Ginseng tea
Ginseng which is widely consumed in Korea is now also popularly consumed as an herbal tea. Ginseng herbal tea is thought to be able to lower blood pressure, maintain the flexibility of blood vessels, and inhibit the formation of clots or plaques in blood vessels. This effect is considered good for heart health.
3. Ginger tea
Ginger tea is rich in antioxidants that help stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. Ginger tea is also known to be effective against nausea, especially nausea due to motion sickness, morning sickness, or side effects of cancer treatment.
Not only that, ginger is also thought to relieve constipation and menstrual pain, and prevent stomach ulcers. In fact, according to research, ginger tea is as effective as the painkiller (NSAID) ibuprofen in relieving menstrual pain.
4. Chamomile tea (chamomile)
Chamomile tea is widely loved because of its distinctive and calming aroma. Traditionally, this herbal tea is often used to relieve anxiety and help sleep soundly. These benefits have been proven in various scientific studies.
Not only that, some research also shows that chamomile tea contains lots of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances that can reduce pain and regulate blood sugar levels. This effect can also be obtained from other herbal plants, such as mango leaves and beluntas leaves.
5. Turmeric tea
Although there is no scientific evidence, turmeric has been widely used to prevent bloating and treat kidney stones. Animal studies show that turmeric can prevent cancer and reduce inflammation. Unfortunately, research on these benefits has not been carried out in humans.
6. Roselle tea
According to research, drinking roselle tea for 2-6 weeks can lower cholesterol levels, although only slightly. Regularly drinking roselle tea is also able to lower blood pressure, which is even thought to be as effective as taking medication captopril and hydrochlorothiazide.
Therefore, if you are taking blood pressure-lowering drugs, or have low blood pressure, you should limit the consumption of this herbal tea because of the risk of causing low blood pressure (hypotension).
7. Chrysanthemum tea
chrysanthemum tea or chrysanthemum tea is a popular herbal tea drunk in China. Its distinctive and soft aroma and taste that is not too bitter make this herbal tea loved by many people.
Chrysanthemum flower tea is also consumed as a traditional medicine because it is believed to have anti-pain and anti-inflammatory effects, can strengthen the immune system, and can relieve flu symptoms. Unfortunately, there is not much scientific evidence that can confirm these benefits.
In addition to the several types of herbal teas above, there are many other types of spices or plants that are often used as herbal teas, for example:
- katuk leaves
- Honeybush
- Mint leaves
- Rosemary
- eagle flower
- thyme leaves
- Saffron
- Hibiscus
- red shoots
In addition to the various types of leaves and flowers above, herbal teas can also be obtained from fruit, such as cascara and kawista fruit.
Although herbal teas have long been consumed by people in various countries because they are believed to have health benefits, most of the claims for these benefits do not have sufficient scientific evidence. In addition, the dosage, side effects, as well as the level of safety in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and people with certain diseases are also unclear.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy the various benefits of herbal tea, you should first consult with your doctor, especially if you suffer from certain diseases or are taking medicines from a doctor.
