Types of Herbal Tea
With so many herbal teas on the market, choosing the right one can seem like a chore. Herbal teas are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The chemical compounds of many plants used to make herbal teas are also used to create pharmaceutical medications, meaning organic herbal teas contain the some of the same benefits of modern medicine without the side effects. This comprehensive list of herbal teas makes it easy to find the right tea for any ailment and also categorizes teas into leaf, blossom, root or whole plant varieties for convenience.
List of Herbal Teas
- Chrysanthemum Tea
- Fennel Tea
- Ginseng Tea
- Lemongrass Tea
- Peppermint Tea
- Rooibos Tea
- Tulsi Tea
- Spearmint Tea
- Mint Tea
- Rosehip Tea
- Fenugreek Tea
- Lavender Tea
- Cinnamon Tea
- Sage Tea
- Chamomile Tea
- Hibiscus Tea
- Verbena (Vervain) Tea
- Thyme Tea
- Raspberry Leaf Tea
- Rosemary Tea
- Dandelion Tea
- Ginger Tea
- Red Clover Tea
- Licorice Tea
- Nettle Tea
- Echinacea Tea
- Chickweed Tea
- Yarrow Tea
- Orange Pekoe Tea
- Turmeric Tea
- Senna Tea
- Rose Tea
- Pomegranate Tea
- Elderflower Tea
- Saffron Tea
- Linden Tea
- Kava Tea
- Pineapple Tea
- Cardamom Tea
- Milk Thistle Tea
- Burdock Tea
- Chasteberry Tea
- Bilberry Tea
- Lemon Balm Tea
- Gotu Kola Tea
- Valerian Tea
- Mullein Tea
- Catnip Tea
- Damiana Tea
Herbal Tea Types and Their Characteristics
Flower Blossom Teas
Cardamom Tea – Dried flowers and seeds of the cardamom flower are used in this sweet tasting tea. Cardamom tea is great for:
- Stomach issues: nausea, flatulence, indigestion and stomach pain
- Pulmonary disorders
- Coughing
- Detox tea to rid the body of caffeine
Red Clover Tea – The dried blossoms of the red clover plant are used to make this flavorful tea. Red clover is contains Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, calcium and a chemical referred to as isoflavones. This chemical behaves like estrogen in the body. Common medicinal uses for this tea include:
- Treating menopause, specifically hot flashes and night sweats
- Alleviating stress and inducing a relaxed state
- Treating and preventing bone issues like osteoporosis
- Improves cognitive function: memory retention, help individual’s concentrate
- Liver cleanse, diuretic purposes
- Preventing blood clots
Hibiscus Flower Tea – This tasty tart tea is made from the blossoms and leaves of the hibiscus flower. Studies show that hibiscus lowers serum free fatty acid and reduces obesity. This tea works to:
- Lower cholesterol
- Reduce blood pressure and hypertension
- Protect against free radicals
- Anti-cancer properties (anthocyanins)
- Improving metabolism
- Increasing urine output
- Controlling diabetes better
- Head lice
Chamomile Tea – The flowers of the plant are harvested to make tea. Studies of German chamomile show that in test tubes, the plant stops the growth of bacteria, fungus and viruses, while animal studies show chamomile helps wounds heal faster, aids in reducing muscle spasms and reduces the body’s inflammatory response. Used for centuries by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, this light but flavorful tea is used to treat a wide rang of ailments and conditions including:
- Anxiety and nervous disorders
- Stomach issues such as IBD and ulcers
- Minor burns
- Insomnia
- Colds and sore throat
- Acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Colic
Rose Hip Tea – Rose hip tea is made from the round part of the flower that is found just below the petals and contain the seeds from the plant. Fresh rose hips contain a large amount of Vitamin C. This tea is ideal for treating conditions such as:
- Colds, fever, flu and improving immune function
- Stomach issues such as spasms, acid deficiency, constipation
- Fluid retention
- Gout
- Kidney disorders
- High cholesterol
Leaf Teas
Nettle Tea– Made from the leaves of the stinging nettle plant, this leaf tea is used for many purposes as the plant is considered an anti-allergenic, expectorant, anti-spasmodic, pectoral and anti-histamine. Nettle tea is used for:
- High blood pressure
- Anemia
- Arthritis and rheumatism
- Coughs, congestion and for colds
- UTI’s and kidney problems
Blackberry Leaf Tea – A tasty tea made from the leaves of the blackberry bush, this tea is helpful for:
- Antioxidant power to fight free radicals in the environment
- Bone health
- Enhanced memory
- Better vision and skin tone
- Cancer prevention (anthocyanocides)
- Enhanced immune system
Peppermint Tea – Aromatic and savory, menthol containing peppermint tea is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. Peppermint is often confused with the mint plant, but true peppermint provides many medicinal benefits including:
- Pain reduction
- Nausea control
- Hardier immune system
- Cures bad breath
- Relaxation
- Weight loss
Whole Plant Teas
Hawthorn Tea – The leaves, flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant are used to make delicious teas. Hawthorn tea is wonderful for:
- Improving blood circulation, low and high blood pressure
- Alleviating stress, insomnia
- Helping the body remove excess salt
- Congestive heart failure, chest pain
- Digestive issues, stomach pain
Dandelion Tea – The flowers, leaves and root of the dandelion plant are used make a flavorful tea. Dandelion is used for many purposes including:
- Gas
- Joint pain, muscle aches
- Gallstones
- Infections
- Cancer prevention
- Constipation
Lemongrass Tea – Made with the lemongrass plant, this tea is rich in citral. The leaves and oil produced from lemongrass are used to make medicine. This tea is particularly useful for:
- Digestive health (vomiting)
- High blood pressure
- Convulsions
- Aching joints
- Cough, fever
- Exhaustion
Root Teas
Ginger Tea – Used by the Chinese for thousands of years, this tea is made with the root of the ginger plant. Ginger tea is used for:
- Slimming and weight loss
- Arthritis and inflammation
- Nausea and digestion
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diabetes
- Energizing effect
- Better nutrient absorption
- Improves circulation
Valerian Root Tea – The root of the plant is used to make tea and is most commonly used for its sedative effects. However, other uses include:
- Insomnia or sleep disorders
- Withdrawal from pharmaceutical sleeping pills
- Anxiety
- Headaches and migraines
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Muscle and joint pain
- Menopause
Herbal teas are part of a healthy diet and are full of essential nutrients needed to fight aging and disease. As with any supplement or herb, always check for any possible interactions certain herbs can have with medications before use.
The Four Main Types of Tea
Under the strictest definition, there are only four types of tea: black, green, white and oolong. Herbal teas technically fall in the tisane category, a French word that refers to an herbal infusion. Each of the four main tea types has its own characteristics and benefits:
- Black. Black tea is arguably the most well-known type and is used in iced teas in restaurants across the country. Contrary to its name, it usually has a brownish-orange coloring depending on strength.
- White. This tea gets its name because it is made from the white down-like substance that appears on the buds of the tea plant. The leaves are dried naturally and with little to no processing, resulting in a light flavor and color.
- Green. Green tea — which does indeed have a light greenish-yellow tint — naturally contains caffeine, making it popular with those who can’t tolerate coffee. It is also known for its antioxidant properties and many health benefits.
- Oolong. Served as part of the Chinese tradition, this tea takes the longest of all the types to process and is rolled and oxidized repeatedly, resulting in a full-bodied flavor.