While it’s more common today to grab a cold bottle of tea on the run or enjoy a steaming cup as part of your hygge ritual, researchers are beginning to focus on the health benefits of certain brews once again. Herbal teas—also known as tisanes—are a mix of roots, leaves, flowers, spices, and bark. They are commonly used in the Middle East and Asia as alternative medicine, and new findings are backing up many of those practices with science.
Here are five health benefits of drinking herbal tea that you should know about:
1. It has medicinal qualities.
The properties in some herbal teas are believed to be able to help ease certain conditions and keep sickness at bay by improving your immune system function. (Have the cold or flu? Chamomile has been used medicinally for thousands of years for inflammation, digestion, and , of course, sleep problems. Ginseng, another ancient herb, is thought to have a powerful effect on the immune system — and may even help prevent cancer. Dandelion, honeysuckle, and licorice tea are all credited with helping flush toxins out of the body and keep your system functioning well.
2. It relaxes your muscles.
The cool sensation associated with peppermint isn’t in your head. The menthol in its leaves serves as a muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory agent, making peppermint tea an all-star for helping you feel calmer and your joints more comfortable. Incorporating peppermint tea into your bedtime ritual can help rid your body of tension from the anxiety and stress that are a normal part of everyday life. Peppermint is also known to sooth your stomach and alleviate mild digestive discomfort.
3. It may help you lose weight.
You may have a new ally in battling stubborn belly fat: rooibos tea. Researchers found that rats who consumed rooibos saw a decrease in fat stores, which they believe can be attributed to a compound called aspalathin that’s found in the tea. According to reports, you may have to consume as much as six cups a day to see the benefits, but the research is still promising. Green tea has also been linked to fat burning in clinical studies.
4. It can treat soothe stomach issues.
Women suffering from morning sickness and anyone who suffers from seasickness have long known the benefits of ginger tea. Commonly used to treat occasional nausea, ginger is thought to work by breaking up gasses in the digestive tract. That means it may also help you beat bloating caused by excess gas that may result from overeating or eating the wrong things.
5. It may help you live longer.
A 2016 study from Mexico found that taking camomile may extend your years. Researchers studied more than 1,600 elderly adults from 2000 to 2007 and found that among those who consumed chamomile, there was a 29% decrease in risk of death—but only for the women. Exactly why camomile may extend lifespan is unknown, and habits like lifestyle and existing health conditions may have impacted the results. Though these findings are preliminary, the tea’s health benefits have long been touted, even appearing in children’s classic Peter Rabbit as a way to stave off a cold.
