Teas can vary depending on plant type and preparation, lending different tastes that can range from sweet to bitter or minty. Herbal tea isn't actually tea; rather, it's an infusion of selected herbs in heated water. Tea comes from a specific plant, not various herbs. Learning about herbal tea ingredients can help you select those that suit your preference or goals when consuming. For example, you might drink herbal teas to feel rejuvenated or to relax.
Definition
The Health Food Guide defines herbal teas as the blending of the seed, flower, leaves and roots of specific plants. Since various plants are known or believed to have different healing properties, selecting herbal teas containing ingredients thought to have desired effects can be one way to determine tea choice. Another way to select ingredients is through preferred taste.
Ingredients
Common herbal tea ingredients include ginkgo biloba, Echinacea, eucalyptus and peppermint, according to Health Food Guide. Other examples of herbal tea ingredients include red clover, lemon balm, rosemary, ginger and chamomile. Allspice, fennel, parsley and raspberry leaf also comprise herbal tea ingredients. Herbal ingredients may occur alone or be blended with other herbs to make combinations. For example, certified modern herbalist and culinary professional Rita Nader Heikenfeld recommends thyme, sage and ginger on her website, InHerbs.com. You can also make an iced herbal tea with ingredients including spearmint, lemon balm, hibiscus flowers, lemon peel, rose petals and cinnamon sticks.
Benefits
Some people find sipping herbal teas to be a relaxing or meditative experience. More research is necessary to confirm folklore associated with herbal tea remedies, but commonly attributed benefits include echinacea for preventing colds, peppermint or ginger for soothing upset stomachs, and chamomile for promoting restful sleeping, according to Health Food Guide.
Organic
Some herbal teas contain organic ingredients, which means that ingredients have been grown and processed without chemicals, including pesticides. "Herbal" is not synonymous with "organic," so if you'd like to purchase organic or Fair Trade teas, look for labeling that indicates certification. Fair Trade teas often come from small farms that support sustainable farming and fair treatment of workers.
Preparation
Not all teas are prepared the same. For example, green teas should be steeped for 1 to 3 minutes compared with 3 to 6 minutes for black tea. Herbal teas can be steeped for longer; up to 12 minutes, according to Organic.org. Water temperature can be adjusted to provide more nuanced steeping. South American yerba mate tea shouldn't be boiled; instead, bring water temperatures to 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Relaxation at Home. Water for South African rooibos tea shouldn't exceed 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Caution
Not all herbal tea ingredients are safe for general consumption. For example, pregnant women are advised to stay away from some herbal teas and herbal tea ingredients can negatively affect those taking prescription medicines. Take precautions before giving herbal teas to children.
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