The story of tea began in 2737 BCE. According to the myth, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung rested underneath a tree, and his servant served him boiled water. Dead leaves from a tree bush fell into his water, and Shen Nung, a well-known herbalist, decided to create a new herb that his servant accidentally made.
Thanks to Shen Nung, tea is a widely consumed beverage globally after water and has played a central role in several notable historical events, such as the American Revolution and the First Opium War. Today, tea is generally known as a beverage made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, and herbal tea not brewed by Camellia sinensis is also a part of the tea family. Let us find out the top ten varieties of tea and their proven health benefits.
1. Black tea
2. Green tea
3. White tea
4. Oolong tea
Herbal teas
5. Chamomile tea
6. Ginger tea
7. Hibiscus tea
8. Peppermint tea
9. Rooibos tea
10. Homemade Herbal Tea
1. Black tea
It is cultivated and manufactured worldwide. However, India, Africa, and Sri Lanka are the three largest producers of black tea. Each tea is almost unique depending on where it is grown, the weather, the manufacturing process, and the harvest. Each one, therefore, has its unique taste.
It is often drunk solo, but to enhance flavor, one can add lemon or milk to it. Black tea has various health benefits as it contains antioxidants and compounds that may help reduce inflammation. Antioxidants help decrease the risk of chronic disease and improve your overall health.
According to NIH studies, regular drinking of black tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally. Studies have found that black tea may help reduce the risk of stroke. It also helps in improving focus and may reduce the risk of cancer.
2. Green tea
It has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any tea and is naturally low in calories containing less caffeine than black tea and coffee. Maccha is considered one of the healthiest green tea. About 237 ml of Machha may be equivalent to 711 ml of regular green tea.
The health benefits of it are; it can help in improving brain function as it contains the amino acid L-theanine. In some Oxford academic studies, it helps in increasing fat burn in a short time. Consumption of green tea regularly may help reduce the risk of dementia, a common neurodegenerative disorder in older adults. And it also has many beauty benefits.
3. White tea
It is considered the most delicate variety out of all the teas available. The harvesting process of white tea makes it one of the most expensive teas. It is harvested primarily in China but is also in Northeast India, Eastern Nepal, Taiwan, and Thailand. Their benefit includes; Helping to Protect Your Teeth from Bacteria, improving cardio-vascular disorder, often known for anti-aging, helping in cancer prevention, and strengthening bones.
4. Oolong tea
It is a traditional Chinese tea. The process of oxidation is what makes this tea different from others. In addition to caffeine, it contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It has variants of health benefits, help relieve symptoms of eczema, and has protective effects against cancer.
Herbal teas:
5. Chamomile tea
From ancient times, it has been praised by the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks for its medical properties. Today we find them in Egypt, and their variants are found in India, Australia, South Africa, and South America. It helps reduce stress, improves sleep, and reduces menstrual pain and muscle spasms.
6. Ginger tea
It is a lovely, lightly spicy drink for warming up on cold days. It helps to fight against morning sickness, can be used to treat chronic indigestion, and helps to relieve joint pain.
7. Hibiscus tea
It originates from North Africa and Southeast Asia and is served hot or iced. The plant hibiscus, including steam, leaves, roots, and seeds, has various benefits in our daily life and are commonly used in Ayurveda. Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used to make hibiscus tea. The health benefits of the tea are; It helps to prevent the formation of kidney stones, helps in starving off cravings for unhealthy sweets, lowers blood pressure and fat levels, and improves liver health.
8. Peppermint tea
Ancient people began cultivating mint for use in foods and as herbal remedies. Later a specie of mint - peppermint, was used to make herbal tea for its healing property. As it contains menthol - it acts as a cooling agent in our stomachs and a cure for constipation and motion sickness. It also helps with pain relief from headaches, tension, and migraines.
9. Rooibos tea
It is also known as ‘African red tea’ or ‘red bush tea’ and is a native to South Africa. It's a flavorful, caffeine-free alternative to green and black tea. The tea mainly helps; to improve blood pressure and circulation, boosts good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol, keeps hair strong and skin healthy, and provides relief from allergies.
10. Homemade Herbal Tea
It is nothing but a mix of common herbs such as dry ginger, pepper, tulsi leaves, and cardamom, and for sweetening, you can add honey or jaggery. You can drink this every day like other herbal tea. It is a commonly used drink for cold relief and immunity strength.
While teas are beneficial for our health but overconsumption of them will lead to increased anxiety, restlessness, and stress. And detox teas often come laced with laxatives harmful to your health. Trendy chai or green lattes and bubble tea are loaded with sugar, carbs, and calories resulting in no nutritional value. While drinking an herbal tea, you have to read the ingredients at the back to check the allergic contains.
Although teas have their benefits and side effects, NIH studies have proven, drinking two cups of tea per day has a 9% to 13% lower risk of death. And drinking herbal tea every day helps to improve immunity and brain function and has many other beauty benefits. After reading this, I hope you find a flavor of tea with your likeness, ranging from green to herbal tea. This refreshing portion will undoubtedly keep you healthy.
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