Herbal teas are considered to be one of the most consumed drinks because they are naturally caffeine-free and extremely healthy. They are either made from spices, flowers, leaves, or herbs and there is a huge variety of Herbal teas available.
Some of the must-try caffeine free Herbal teas and their recipes are as follows:
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is made from dried up Hibiscus flowers. It is considered to be one of the best Herbal teas because it has various health benefits. It is often suggested by dermatologists to people who are suffering from skin problems. Vitamin C present in Hibiscus tea helps in the production of collagen which is considered to be one of the most important elements in maintaining the quality of the skin.
The problem of fine lines, wrinkles, reduced elasticity of the skin, and inflammation can easily be reduced by the consumption of this tea which is also proven beneficial for hair growth. The antioxidants present in it such as Kerstin, Minoxidil, and Finasteride helps in naturally smoothening and softening the hair. It is also effective in treating high blood pressure by reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The steps to brewing Hibiscus tea are as follows:
- In a container boil 8 ounces of water to an optimum temperature of 208°F.
- Add 1.5 tablespoons of Hibiscus tea and let it steep in the water for 5 minutes.
- Use a strainer or an infuser to remove the tea leaves.
- Serve hot with or without any sweetener.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon Balm tea is essentially made from lemon balm leaves. It is an herbal tea and has a lot of health benefits especially in relieving stress. Lemon Balm tea has anti-depressant, antispasmodic, antiviral properties which are quite beneficial. The rosmarinic acid present in Lemon Balm tea increases the percentage of neurotransmitters in the brain thereby reducing depression and anxiety.
This tea is suggested to women during pregnancy because it helps in overcoming stress and anxiety caused during this time. Lemon Balm tea helps in combating diarrhea, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GRED), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), and other stomach related problems. Therefore, the steps to brew Lemon Balm tea are as follows:
- Chop or crush 10 to 15 lemon balm leaves and keep it aside until it releases its flavours
- In a container heat water to an optimum temperature of 208°F.
- Add the crushed or chopped lemon balm tea leaves to the heated water and let it steep for at least 10 minutes.
- Use a strainer or an infuser to remove the lemon balm leaves and serve it hot with or without sweetener.
Rosehip Tea
Rosehip tea is a very rare variety of tea made from the dried part of the Rosehip flower. It is suggested to people who are trying to lose weight as they are infused with antioxidants such as tiliroside which helps in burning fat and does not let it store in the body thereby reducing risks of obesity or thyroid.
Rosehip tea is also counted among the immunity-boosting drinks because it is infused with antioxidants and vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and others. These antioxidants and vitamins protect the body from foreign bacteria which destroys the cells. Therefore, the steps to brew Rosehip tea are as follows:
- In a container heat, 6 cups of water then add ½ cups of Rosehip tea and cover it.
- Let the tea steep in the water for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Use a strainer to remove the tea leaves.
- Serve hot with or without any sweetener.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is made up of dried daisy-like flowers of the Asteraceae plant. This herbal tea also has many health benefits and the presence of apigenin in this tea is quite beneficial. It combines the receptor in the brain thereby reducing stress and insomnia. Chamomile tea is also suggested to people with an upset stomach and is proven to be effective in treating nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea. Here are the steps to brew Chamomile tea are as follows:
- In a container heat 8 ounces of water and add 9 to 10 fresh Chamomile flowers or 2 tablespoons of Chamomile tea.
- Let the tea steep in your hot water for about 5 minutes.
- Use a strainer to remove all the tea leaves or the petals from the tea.
- Serve hot with or without any sweetener.
Caffeine in Herbal Tea
Caffeine is known to make the consumer more alert and active. It directly affects the nervous system of the consumer. Even though Caffeine is a naturally occurring chemical but its over-consumption has various side effects such as dehydration, insomnia, restlessness, and in the worst cases anxiety and depression. True teas such as Green tea, Black tea, and others have Caffeine whereas Herbal teas are completely Caffeine free.
Herbal teas are considered to be healthier than true teas because it has negligible caffeine content but in some cases, Herbal teas are noticed to have Caffeine in them. Research says that it is possible because of some reasons. The reasons are as follows:
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Mixing true teas and Herbal teas-
It is often seen that true teas are mixed with Herbal teas in order to provide a better flavour. The flavours are artificially added. This makes even Herbal teas caffeinated and not suitable for people who are allergic to Caffeine.
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Caffeine added during the production process-
Herbal teas can also get caffeinated due to the contamination occurring in factories or production units. It also happens that sellers intentionally add true teas in order to produce better colour and taste. They even don't mention the caffeine content in packages or in the nutrient content. But depending on how reliable the company you are getting your tea from, you can be pretty certain you have an authentic caffeine free version of your favourite tea.
Yerba Mate tea-
Yerba mate is an herbal tea found mostly in the southern and central parts of America. This tea is naturally caffeinated. The caffeine level in Yerba mate tea is very high. This is an exception among the Herbal tea.
Summing Up
Therefore because of these reasons, Herbal teas get caffeinated. Before buying the tea it is important to check out the nutrient content. It is also important to buy the tea from a trusted production unit or brand so that there is no risk of the addition of artificial caffeine.
