Herbal tea is one of the most consumed drinks alongside tea and coffee. Indeed, it is part of our daily lives and our diet. However, do we really know what an infusion is and how to choose it? Infusions are often perceived as old-fashioned home remedies. Choosing the right herbal tea is essential. Each plant that makes up a herbal tea is a source of virtues and has its own characteristics. You must therefore make this choice based on your needs and the benefits you are looking for. Which brand of infusion to choose and which type? Discover everything you need to know about herbal tea.
Which herbal tea to choose for which ailments?
Choosing your herbal tea is important for relieving the ailments and discomforts we face on a daily basis, thanks to phytotherapy. The plants that make up herbal teas are rich in antioxidants and active compounds. Some medicinal plant herbal teas can be drunk daily without any risk to your health. However, they are often sold exclusively in pharmacies.
There are different preparation methods such as maceration, decoction or infusion. In all cases, fresh or dried flowers, roots, stems or plant leaves are used in hot water. The most consumed herbal teas are made from heather, chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, orange blossom, meadowsweet, linden or verbena. Thanks to these drinks, you will for example be able to reduce stress, decrease bloating and improve your digestive system. Some plants also have a laxative and diuretic effect. In that case, these herbal teas are often used as part of a diet alongside a balanced diet. Others are soothing and help you relax and fall asleep at bedtime. The detox infusion is also very popular as it eliminates toxins from your body and purifies you from the inside.
Which herbal tea to choose: the different herbal teas
What are the different kinds of infusions? Digestive herbal teas help and stimulate digestion, especially after overindulging. The plants used are peppermint, verbena, liquorice, fennel or sage. These drinks have an antispasmodic effect and relieve you from bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain. Draining infusions promote the elimination of toxins from your body. These are made from ash, birch, meadowsweet, star anise, hibiscus or cherry stalks.
Among the various infusions, there are also calming herbal teas. These are recommended to act on sore throats or fever when they are based on sage, chamomile, orange blossom, thyme, marshmallow, liquorice or lavender. The effect is also appreciated for helping you fall asleep more quickly. In that case, opt for herbal teas with lemon balm, valerian, passionflower, chamomile, verbena or linden. Finally, you can choose a slimming infusion. This time, artichoke, birch and rosemary will be your best allies thanks to their purifying action on the liver. Which herbal tea to choose? Discover the precise specificities of each infusion below.
The Ayurvedic herbal tea
The Ayurvedic infusion is fully part of the various herbal teas consumed daily. This herbal tea is based on the principles of Ayurvedic tradition and traditional Indian medicine. This is why Indian spices such as cardamom, ginger or cinnamon are found in these preparations. The aim of this herbal tea rich in vitamins and antioxidants is to provide you with a certain digestive comfort.
It aims to achieve your physical as well as mental well-being so that your body is in harmony with your soul and spirit. These natural remedies are based on the notions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha, in relation to the elements of air, fire, water and earth.
The detox herbal tea
Which herbal tea to choose when you want to restore balance to your body? The detox infusion is then fully recommended. Using this drink as a course of treatment will have a draining, purifying and detoxifying effect on your body. In addition, it also helps you improve your transit, reduce bloating and water retention. Finally, the detox course is also felt on your complexion, which becomes more hydrated and radiant. It is ideal after dietary overindulgence or between the different changes of seasons. These drinks promote the elimination of toxins and waste by your kidneys, liver and intestine. The plants used to make these herbal teas are ginger, cherry stalks, dandelion, birch, nettle and hibiscus.
The draining herbal tea
Which infusion to choose? The draining infusion is used to reduce the effects of water retention and improve the proper functioning of your metabolism. The aim here is to eliminate toxins present in your body, promote circulation and elimination. It often features a composition of birch, sapwood, ash, meadowsweet, dandelion or pineapple, agents of a toning drainage.
This medicinal drink can be used as a course of treatment and as a complement to a slimming and flat stomach diet. It is also an effective way to help you gently shed fat after giving birth. In all cases, prefer organic products from a herbalist's shop. They come from sustainable farming to ensure quality products that are good for your health and the environment.
The slimming infusion
Which herbal tea to choose for a diet? The slimming herbal tea can be taken as a course of treatment to lose weight. However, do not be mistaken. This drink works as a complement to a balanced diet and physical exercise. The most effective plants for slimming are artichoke, guarana, maté, fennel and red vine. You can consume them individually or blend them to enhance their purifying and diuretic action.
Let these infusions steep to experience inner gastric and digestive comfort. Your intestinal transit will be improved and you will feel a sense of satiety and appetite suppression to avoid unnecessary snacking. The ginger lemon slimming herbal tea is ideal for a fat-burning effect and for losing weight more quickly.
The anti-stress infusion
Which herbal tea to choose to fight stress? Selecting an anti-stress herbal tea means lightening your body and mind from the worries and nervous anxiety associated with daily life. These discomforts can indeed disrupt your breathing as well as your digestion and sleep. The anti-stress herbal tea helps you avoid turning to anxiolytics, thanks to its sedative and calming effect.
Indeed, this blend soothes you with its rich composition of passionflower, chamomile, hawthorn, valerian and St. John's wort. It can be enjoyed during the day to bring you serenity and relaxation, as well as in the evening to help you fall asleep more easily.
The pregnancy infusion
The pregnancy herbal tea is a source of benefits for you and your unborn child during these important nine months. Indeed, it helps to strengthen your immune protection thanks to the presence of antioxidants. Also note that it allows you to stay properly hydrated.
This specific anti-inflammatory infusion can help you reduce the discomforts of pregnancy such as nausea or constipation. It can prepare you as best as possible for the day of delivery and improve breastfeeding for your baby. Chamomile, orange blossom, peppermint, raspberry leaf and verbena are plants recommended for pregnant women.
The breastfeeding herbal tea
The breastfeeding infusion primarily helps you improve the quantity and quality of your milk during breastfeeding. Indeed, your baby will need to feed in quantity, especially during growth spurts. If you cannot meet their needs, the breastfeeding herbal tea can be a stimulating aid.
It is also a valuable ally for producing more milk when you return to work after your maternity leave. Finally, drinking this herbal tea can help soothe your newborn if they suffer from colic and intestinal discomfort.
The flat stomach herbal tea
The stomach is often where fat is stored first. The flat stomach herbal tea is rich in antioxidants. It promotes intestinal transit with its diuretic and laxative action and helps you feel lighter and less bloated. It is a perfect aid for slimming your figure and reducing your waistline.
Which herbal tea to choose after giving birth? The flat stomach infusion is ideal for quickly returning to an ideal weight and losing excess kilos around the abdominal area. In its composition, you can find green tea, an excellent fat burner, as well as ginger or pineapple.