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

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.