Most people think of the black, green and oolong varieties, all derived from the Camellia sinensis tea bush, when they think of tea. But you can also make tea by infusing or boiling the leaves, roots or flowers of a number of different herbs as well. People have used herbal teas -- sometimes called tisanes -- for centuries, not just to make a flavored beverage, but for the reputed medicinal qualities of various plants. Because herbal teas do not contain caffeine like coffee or traditional tea, many people enjoy them as a bedtime beverage. Consult your physician before taking any substance for medicinal reasons.
Chamomile
Chamomile tea, made from the flowering tops of the chamomile plant, has long been believed to promote sleep, relieve anxiety and calm the nerves. The studies of researchers Diane McKay and Jeffrey Blumberg of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston also indicate that chamomile tea has antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities.
Mint
Mint tea, including spearmint and peppermint, is renowned for its refreshing flavor and scent. Mint is believed to relieve heartburn, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome, and some have used it to treat asthma and allergy symptoms. Among the effects of peppermint are that it causes food to pass through the stomach more quickly by calming stomach muscles and improving bile flow, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Ginger
Ginger tea is created by infusing the underground stems of the tropical ginger plant. Ginger is commonly used in Asian medicine to treat stomach upset and diarrhea. Some believe that remedies made from ginger, such as a tea or tincture, can alleviate pain from arthritis and other joint and muscle pain. Ginger works in three ways, according to Suzanna Zick, a researcher with the University of Michigan. It contains gingerol, an antioxidant which helps prevent damage to the body from free radicals; it causes blood vessels to dilate, which creates a warming effect; and it blocks serotonin receptors in the stomach, helping to prevent nausea.
Rooibos
Sometimes called bush tea or red tea, rooibos tea has been used for centuries in its native South Africa, but is a relatively new introduction in the U.S. Many users appreciate that rooibos tea provides healthful antioxidants, and contains no caffeine or tannins, according to the Tea Muse website. Rooibos tea has a sweet, nutty flavor, and gets its coloring from the leaves of the Aspalathus Linearis plant, which turn bright red during oxidation and fermentation. In Africa, bush tea is traditionally sweetened with sugar and served with milk.
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