How Drinking Herbal Tea Can Help Improve Your Health
Loved in almost every part of the world, tea is not just a delicious and refreshing drink; it may also offer several health benefits.
According to the 19th-century Japanese scholar, Okakura Kakuzo and author of The Book of Tea; “Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage.” And Western researchers agree. The author of The True History of Tea, Prof. Victor Henry Mair from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, wrote that the tea plant first became popular for its medicinal properties, and was only consumed for enjoyment years later.
This original tea plant has two varieties, namely Camellia Sinensis Sinensis and Camellia sinensis Assamica, which are responsible for the green tea, white tea and black tea varieties we enjoy today.
Close to many South African’s hearts is rooibos tea, also known as ‘red tea’ or ‘red bush tea’. Unique to South Africa, rooibos tea comes from the fermented leaves of the Aspalathus linearis shrub, a plant native to South Africa.
As it’s a herbal tea, rooibos tea is free from caffeine. It is rich in antioxidants and has shown to be a healthy drink for people of all ages, plus, when consumed regularly, it may even assist in improving one’s health.
If you’re interested in drinking rooibos tea as a health aid, as well as a delicious warm drink, then look for tea brands that pair rooibos with other medicinal plants for a morning cuppa with an added health boost.
For example, Sela offers a range of rooibos teas, each one created with a specific health condition or concern in mind. Each variant is formulated with a blend of traditional African herbs, including rooibos, to help boost health and relieve the symptoms of many illnesses. These teas help support some of the most common health concerns faced by South Africans. (Sela teas are available from Dis-Chem, Checkers, Shoprite, Clicks and Pick ‘n Pay).
Here are a few health concerns and ailments that you can treat with herbal teas:
Diabetes
People with type-2 diabetes, or those at risk of developing type-2 diabetes, may benefit from drinking rooibos and herbal teas due to their high content of antioxidants. These antioxidants help fight inflammation in the body and help keep the body’s blood sugar levels in check.
A tea like Sela Blood Sugar Tea (R49.99) is made with African traditional herbs and has been specially formulated to offer blood sugar support. The tea features a mixture of rooibos, black tea, and Cape Aloe leaf, traditionally used to maintain stable blood sugar levels and help break down sugar into energy.
High blood pressure
Herbal and rooibos teas are heart-friendly and have been shown to help lower blood pressure and support a healthy heart.
Formulated with Hibiscus, Sela High Blood Tea (R49.99) was created to help support heart health. Hibiscus is traditionally used as a mild diuretic and to assist blood flow properly through vessels, and combining it with rooibos makes it more palatable and easier to incorporate into your daily life.
Gut health
A healthy gut is important for a healthy body and strong immunity. Sometimes, the foods we eat, medications we take or stress may disturb the gut’s healthy bacteria, resulting in stomach cramps or diarrhoea.
Combine rooibos tea with a herb like Uzara, which is traditionally used to help relieve stomach cramps and diarrhoea, for a natural health aid when you’re not feeling your best.
Colds and flus
There’s nothing worse than summer flu! So, why not try tea as a health aid to relieve symptoms of colds and flu? A healthy herbal tea will not just help to alleviate symptoms and assist the body in the healing process, but it may also increase the body’s immunity, helping fight off viruses and prevent colds and flu.
Look for tea that combines rooibos with Lemon Bush, to help relieve the symptoms of colds and flu.
Joint health
Rooibos tea reduces inflammation and can aid in treating the painful symptoms of arthritis. High in vitamin C, it further helps to repair collagen and connective tissue in the joints.
To help offer even more joint-healthy assistance, Sela Joint Health Tea (R49.99) has been specially formulated with Devil’s Claw. Traditionally used to relieve joint discomfort and maintain joint health, Devil’s Claw is a wonder herb for many looking for a natural health aid for joint pain.
While many health aid teas have the potential to help improve overall health as well as specific health concerns, they are not designed to cure ailments or replace regular medication. Always consult your medical practitioner first.
Essential rules for herbs to work
While herbs are often an important part of a health reset plan, the aim is always to restore function and then eventually wean off the herbs and supporting medication. To accomplish this, there are some simple rules that will help you get the most out of your herbal regime.
- Take the herbs for at least 2 weeks to begin experiencing the effects. To experience noticeable benefits, you have to start taking them regularly, so give it your best effort to be regular with the herbs for those first couple of weeks.
- Almost all the herbs are best taken right AFTER meals. If you’re drinking tea as a health aid, a warm cup of tea can also help digestion after eating. If you are new to taking herbs or have a weaker or more sensitive digestive system, then take the herbs in the middle of meals. There are a handful of herbal formulas that are best to take BEFORE meals to reset digestive function, so double-check this before taking any herbs.
- Give your body a break. According to experts, if you’re taking the same type of herb over an extended period, a good rule to help maintain optimum efficacy and increase the efficacy of the herb, is using a cycle of three months on and three weeks off. Giving the body rest from constant supplementation is good as, unlike allopathic medicine, herbs stay active in the body over a longer period. An occasional break makes the body less dependent on them and increases the benefits of long-term supplementation.