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Powerful Teas You Need to Try

February 23, 2021
Shanika | Orchids + Sweet Tea

Powerful Teas You Need to Try

If you’re like me, I am constantly walking around all day with a teacup in my hand. As much as I love my coffee, the variety of flavors and health benefits of tea make it my go-to choice throughout the day. This list of Powerful Teas You Need to Try will give you so many ideas for your tea habit!

Person grabbing a large, black mug of tea.

Powerful Teas You Need to Try----Not only do traditional and herbal teas increase your water intake and hydration levels, but each individual tea type can also have significant health benefits as well. Whether you’re looking to calm digestive issues, drift off to sleep or increase your metabolism, there is a variety of tea that can help you

Today, I’m going to be chatting about my favorite traditional and herbal teas and why you should mix tea into your daily routine. In fact, I know many folks who replaced or reduced their daily coffee intake with herbal tea for the health and hydration benefits. 

The History of Tea.

In ancient traditions, tea was used as a form of medicine for any number of afflictions. Tea had an important cultural significance and was meant to be an exercise in mindfulness and health, not just simply a warm beverage. The philosophy of traditional tea comes from Eastern and Asian countries such as India, China, and Japan. 

If you are interested in learning more about the traditional benefits and uses of tea, there are a ton of resources and books available! Let me know if you find a good one! Now, let's get to this awesome list of Powerful Teas you need to try, shall we?

Dried tea in a glass container.

How to Choose a Tea.

When choosing a powerful tea or traditional or herbal tea, I highly recommend looking for a tea with high-quality, well-sourced ingredients. The purer the tea, the more likely you will reap the health benefits. This may mean spending a little extra on a high-quality tea. I recommend steering clear from teas that had essential oils or other added flavors. Make sure to fully steep your tea (10-15) minutes before removing the tea bag or loose leaf tea for maximum benefits. 

Types of Tea.

Tea is often the universal name given to lots of infused type beverages, however tea traditionalists usually only consider black, white, green, oolong and pur-erh tea to be considered “true tea.” These types of tea are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, a shrub that is most commonly found in China and India. Tea made from this plant contains a certain type of antioxidant called flavonoids. 

These flavonoids are said to help free radicals within the body that may cause cancers, clogged arteries, heart disease, and a variety of other illnesses. Traditional teas often contain caffeine and a compound called theanine which impacts the brain and can contribute to mental alertness. Generally speaking, the more refined the tea leaves, the less beneficial the antioxidants will become.

For awesome examples of powerful teas to try, be sure to check out our Teas archives on our site for an array of recipes. In addition, you can check out our MOST POPULAR post on Jamaican Herbs You Should Keep on Hand.

Pure Teas.

These pure teas are made from the leaves, stems, and roots of the Camellia Sinensis plant making them pure traditional tea. 

Green Tea.

Green tea has a high concentration of the antioxidant called EGCG, an important cancer-fighting antioxidant. These antioxidants help to fight the growth of many different forms of cancer and can help to prevent clogging of the arteries. Many people love green tea for its’ digestive benefits including helping to manage your weight through metabolism boosters. Researchers also point to the ability of green tea to counteract certain types of oxidative stress on the brain, making it a super-brain drink for all ages. Green tea is shown to help reduce the risk of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and can reduce the risk of stroke.

Cup of tea on a plate with macarons.

Black Tea.

Black tea is the tea with the highest level of caffeine making it a favorite coffee substitute for those of us who need our daily caffeine. Black tea is made with fermented tea leaves and is the base for common tea flavors such as chai. Research has shown that black tea could have cell regeneration benefits including protecting your lungs from smoke damage such a cigarette smoke and reducing the risk of stroke. 

Oolong Tea.

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea that is semi-oxidized and slightly fermented, giving it a medium flavor. Oolong tea is often considered to be a middle flavor between black and green tea. The most famous oolong teas come from the Fujian province of China. Oolong tea is often used to promote weight loss and boosting your metabolism through polyphenols which as said to block enzymes that build body fat. Because it is higher in caffeine than herbal teas, oolong tea helps to increase mental alertness and boost digestion. Oolong tea is also shown to lower cholesterol due to its semi-oxidized state that is able to activate the lipase enzyme, an enzyme that helps to dissolve body fat. 

Muffin tin with each indent filled with a different set of tea leaves.

Herbal Teas.

These teas are made from other plants and variations of pure tea making them less traditional herbal teas.

Peppermint Tea.

Peppermint tea is one of the most common types of herbal tea and for good reason. Peppermint tea is a great remedy for a wide variety of stomach and digestive issues such as alleviating nausea and abdominal bloating and gas. However many nutritionists recommend avoiding peppermint if your stomach issues are related to indigestion as it can make indigestion or heartburn work. Peppermint is also great for athletes, people with chronic muscle pain, or those who are experiencing soreness after a workout. Peppermint tea is a great natural remedy for relieving muscle tensions and heating up the body and muscles.

Ginger Tea.

Ginger tea is also a great natural solution for stomach problems and digestion. Ginger tea is often used to cure nausea, motion sickness, and vomiting. Ginger is often used along with honey and lemon to help combat the common cold. Homemade ginger tea is extremely easy to make by simply steeping a bit of ginger root in hot water for 10-15 minutes before drinking. 

Rooibos Tea.

Rooibos tea is often called red tea or red bush tea from the South African plant it is made from. This tea is considered to be full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and is great for your mineral intake. Rooibos tea has small amounts of a number of minerals including calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and copper. All important for your overall health! Rooibos is also well known for its’ ability to protect bone health and improve your digestive health. 

Mesh tea ball with tea leaves falling out.

Hibiscus Tea.

This tea is made from the hibiscus flower, a flower commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical environments. This tea has a more tart flavor, similar to the taste of cranberries. Hibiscus tea is also packed with tons of antioxidants and has been shown to increase good cholesterol levels and decrease bad cholesterol levels. Because of this, this tea is highly recommended for people who are struggling with high cholesterol or looking to balance their triglycerides, particularly if they have diabetes. Hibiscus also promotes weight loss by protecting the liver with its’ antibacterial properties. Many folks use hibiscus to help lose weight and improve their body mass index. 

Chamomile Tea.

Chamomile tea has long since been considered a calming or sleep aid tea. This tea, often made from dried chamomile flowers, has been proven to help people fall asleep faster making it a natural sleep aid for occasional sleeplessness. In addition to its’ calming benefits, chamomile tea also has a ton of anti-inflammatory benefits and research has shown it can help to reduce the severity of PMS symptoms including cramps. This type of tea is tied to positive research showing a strong correlation between chamomile flowers and blood sugar regulation. 

Lemon Tea.

Lemons are very high in a variety of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. The primary benefit of lemon tea is its’ detoxification effects. Lemons contain citric acid which is a natural diuretic that can help reduce bloating and water retention. Citric also promotes urinary tract health making it a great option for my gals and gentlemen who commonly get urinary tract infections. Lemon tea is a good source of a number of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, folate, potassium, phosphorus, and lutein. Lemon tea is also a traditional remedy for the common cold making it a staple for many of us during the cold and flu season. 

Blue and white floral cup filled with tea.

Powerful Teas You Need to Try.

What is your favorite type of tea? Have you discovered any amazing health benefits from drinking tea? Let me know in the comments!

ORCHIDS + SWEET TEA

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