How does herbal tea work

Also, herbal tea benefits may include reduced inflammation, stress alleviation, immune system support, and more. Though more research is needed to identify all of its benefits, tea is a great addition to a healthy eating plan. When we address care, we address everything from physical to mental wellbeing. Diet and nutrition are a cornerstone. We work directly with patients to help them build health plans that lead them on a journey to a happier, healthier life.

Find a provider and care team who will listen, support you and create the best care plan for you. Medicare Open Enrollment runs until December 7. See what changes you can make. Below are some great teas for seniors and their benefits: Chamomile Tea Medical News Today offers a great breakdown of all the wonderful benefits of chamomile tea and why you should drink it.

Chamomile tea health benefits include: Sleep assistance Anxiety reduction Lower blood sugar Reduced inflammation Cold treatment Ginger Tea Fresh ginger itself is a powerful superfood. Ginger tea health benefits include: Digestion aid Heartburn reduction Inflammation reduction Improved blood circulation Immune system support Green Tea For those that like a little caffeine in their routine. Green tea health benefits help: Improve brain function Boost metabolism Boosts your immune system Enhance dental health Reduce cancer risk Rosemary Tea Other seen as a savory herb, Rosemary actually packs a lot of great health benefits that make it a perfect option for tea.

For more healthy beverage suggestions, try one of these superfood-packed healthy shake or smoothie recipes. Share this article:. It can be a little overwhelming. When it comes to tea, green tea gets the gold.

It covers a lot of territory. A medical literature review offers a snapshot of those benefits, linking the consumption of green tea to:. The healing power of green tea is linked to catechin, an antioxidant compound found in tea leaves. It helps protect your cells from damage caused by out-of-hand free radicals reacting with other molecules in your body.

All that, plus green tea tastes pretty darn good, too. That could also explain why worldwide green tea production is expected to hit nearly 3 million tons by Is your stomach feeling a bit topsy-turvy, like you just wobbled off a swooping and looping rollercoaster? The solution is a tea made from ginger, a time-tested spice that has been calming bellies since ancient times.

Ginger also offers proven digestive benefits by helping your body move food from your stomach to continue its digestive tract journey. Speeding up that process works to calm indigestion and ease stomach distress. Peppermint, however, is best for issues lower in your gut.

It can actually aggravate higher-up issues such as acid reflux. Anti-inflammatory powers in herbal teas can help loosen airways tightened by conditions such as asthma, says Czerwony. In fact, herbal teas have been used as natural remedies for a variety of ailments for hundreds of years. Interestingly, modern science has begun to find evidence supporting some of the traditional uses of herbal teas, as well as some new ones.

Chamomile tea is most commonly known for its calming effects and is frequently used as a sleep aid. In one study of 80 postpartum women experiencing sleep issues, drinking chamomile tea for two weeks led to improved sleep quality and fewer symptoms of depression 1. Another study in 34 patients with insomnia found marginal improvements in waking up during the night, time to falling asleep and daytime functioning after taking chamomile extract twice a day 2.

It is also believed to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting effects 3. Studies in mice and rats have found preliminary evidence that chamomile may help fight diarrhea and stomach ulcers 3 , 4. One study also found that chamomile tea reduced symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, while another study in people with type 2 diabetes saw improvements in blood glucose, insulin and blood lipid levels 5 , 6.

While more research is needed to confirm these effects, preliminary evidence suggests that chamomile tea may offer a range of health benefits. Peppermint tea is one of the most commonly used herbal teas in the world 7. Several studies have shown that preparations of peppermint oil, which often included other herbs as well, can help relieve indigestion, nausea and stomach pain 8 , 9 , 10 , Evidence also shows that peppermint oil is effective at relaxing spasms in the intestines, esophagus and colon 12 , 13 , 14 , Lastly, studies have repeatedly found that peppermint oil is effective at relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome Therefore, when you experience digestive discomfort, whether it be from cramping, nausea or indigestion, peppermint tea is a great natural remedy to try.

Ginger tea is a spicy and flavorful drink that packs a punch of healthy, disease-fighting antioxidants Studies consistently find that ginger is effective at relieving nausea, especially in early pregnancy, although it may also relieve nausea caused by cancer treatments and motion sickness 19 , Evidence also suggests that ginger may help prevent stomach ulcers and relieve indigestion or constipation Ginger may also help relieve dysmenorrhea, or period pain.

A number of studies have found that ginger capsules reduced pain associated with menstruation 21 , In fact, two studies found ginger to be as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs like ibuprofen at relieving period pain 23 , Finally, some studies suggest that ginger may offer health benefits for people with diabetes, though the evidence has not been consistent.

These studies have found that ginger supplements helped with blood sugar control and blood lipid levels 25 , 26 , Hibiscus tea is made from the colorful flowers of the hibiscus plant. It has a pink-red color and refreshing, tart flavor.

It can be enjoyed hot or iced. For example, hibiscus tea has antiviral properties, and test-tube studies have shown its extract to be highly effective against strains of the bird flu. However, no evidence has shown that drinking hibiscus tea could help you fight off viruses like the flu A number of studies have investigated the effects of hibiscus tea on high blood lipid levels.

A few studies have found it to be effective, though a large review study found that it did not have a significant effect on blood lipid levels In fact, many studies have found that hibiscus tea reduced high blood pressure, although most studies were not high quality 30 , Evidence has shown that echinacea may help boost the immune system, which could help the body fight off viruses or infections Many studies have found that echinacea can shorten the duration of the common cold, lessen the severity of its symptoms or even prevent it However, results are conflicting, and most studies have not been well designed.

This makes it difficult to tell if positive results are due to echinacea or random chance. At the very least, this warm herbal drink may help soothe your sore throat or clear up your stuffy nose if you do feel a cold coming on Rooibos is an herbal tea that comes from South Africa. It is made from the leaves of the rooibos or red bush plant. South Africans have historically used it for medicinal purposes, but there is very little scientific research on the topic.

Nevertheless, a few animal and human studies have been conducted. However, one study has shown that rooibos tea may benefit bone health. One test-tube study suggests that rooibos tea, along with green and black tea, might stimulate the cells involved in bone growth and density The same study found that the teas also lowered markers of inflammation and cell toxicity. The researchers suggested that this might be why drinking tea is associated with higher bone density. One study found that rooibos tea inhibited an enzyme that causes blood vessels to constrict, similarly to how a common blood pressure medication does Much more research is needed to confirm these effects and discover any further benefits.

However, the preliminary evidence shows promise.