In addition to what is sometimes referred to as orthodox, or ‘real’ tea, there is also an immense variety of tea types known as herbal tea or tisane. With an almost endless list of benefits for our health and general well-being, herbal tea is more popular than ever today. But what exactly is herbal tea, where does this type come from, and how can you best prepare your cup of herbal tea? Questions that we try to answer in here.

“A herbal tea a day keeps the doctor away!”
What is Herbal Tea?
When we talk about tea, we immediately think of the typical types such as black tea, green tea, white tea, and Oolong. All these types of tea are based on the same tea plant, namely Camellia sinensis. However, what we understand under the term herbal tea is a tea that has nothing to do with this plant. The herbal variant is prepared by infusing water with herbs, flowers, plants, seeds, etc., giving it a particular aroma. Unlike traditional tea, this type contains no caffeine. We all know this type of tea as herbal tea, but theoretically, it is not real tea since no parts of the tea plant are used. Herbal tea is also known by another name; namely tisane.
A Slice of Herbal Tea History
For thousands of years, humans have been serving themselves herbal tea. Whether it was and is not because of the numerous benefits that certain herbs, plants, and flowers bring, it’s due to the exceptional flavors that come with this spicy drink. In ancient Egypt and ancient China, the medicinal properties of various herbal drinks were also first written down. For instance, there is a Chinese pharmacopoeia from around 3000 BC from the time of Emperor Shennong, and the Greek pharmacologist and scientist Dioscorides described no less than 600 medicinal plants that could be used as infusions in preparations in 600 BC. Clearly, these were the first forms of what we know as herbal tea today.

Moreover, for the origin and history of herbal tea, we also go back to the emergence of Ayurveda science and philosophy in India. According to Ayurveda, every herb contains special and unique properties that can benefit our health and well-being, especially when used in the right combination. It is also where experimenting with combining different herbs took place—something we still often see today in the ingredient list of various types of herbal tea. Thus, we see that herbal tea is usually composed of a herb to tantalize the senses and give the tea the necessary aroma, and a herb that positively affects a particular part of our health.

Just like today, the term herbal tea must, by the way, be interpreted in the broadest sense of the word. After all, it’s not only herbs that form the basis of the tea but also medicinal seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, and even tree bark.
The Health Benefits of Herbal Tea
Navigating through the numerous types of herbal teas and their specific health benefits is a monumental task, given that hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of plants, flowers, fruits, and herbs are utilized to create these popular brews. To offer a snapshot of what herbal tea can signify for our body, well-being, and health, let’s explore a few of the most popular varieties of herbal teas and attach their respective benefits.

Chamomile Tea: Perhaps the most well-known and widely consumed herbal tea globally. This pleasantly aromatic tea with a fruity note is made from the leaves and flowers of the chamomile herb. Chamomile tea helps strengthen the immune system, alleviate menstrual pains and cramps, reduce inflammation, relieve rheumatic pain, and diminish abdominal pain.

Ginger Tea: Ginger tea has a mildly spicy taste with a slight sweet note. Ginger is a herb that has been used for its medicinal properties in Chinese culture for thousands of years, for example. It helps with various forms of dizziness and nausea. It reduces inflammation and alleviates the symptoms of cold and flu. It also relieves muscle pain and rheumatic pain.

Rosehip Tea: Rosehip tea has a mild, refreshing flavor. Rosehip is a herb that contains a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants. This tea is often drunk to alleviate the pain and symptoms of colds and flu. Additionally, the tea also aids in bladder infections or in preventing these infections by cleansing the bladder.

Mint Tea: Everyone is familiar with the refreshing taste of mint. However, it’s not only the flavor that makes this tea so popular. Mint tea helps prevent and alleviate digestive problems, relaxes your muscles, and relieves various forms of headache (such as those caused by migraines). Furthermore, mint also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this tea can assist with sinus problems resulting from a cold or an allergic reaction. A nice bonus of this herbal tea is that it also gives you fresh breath and a refreshed mouth.

Other popular types of herbal tea include: licorice tea, nettle tea, rooibos tea, elderflower tea, and lavender tea.
How to prepare herbal tea?
Preparing herbal tea is fairly simple. Much also depends on your personal preference and desires.

Start by heating water (preferably filtered water) to its boiling point or ideally just below.
Next, pre-warm a ceramic, glass, or cast-iron teapot by rinsing it with hot water. You can also work directly with a cup by using a tea egg or tea filter.
Fill the teapot with the boiled water.
Take a few grams of herbal tea (depending on your preference) and add it to the water.
Allow the herbs to steep for 5 to 7 minutes.

Note: Ensure to follow any specific preparation guidelines that come with your chosen herbal tea, as some may have optimal steeping times and temperatures to extract the most flavor and health benefits.