 Herbal Tea Or Tisane Herbal tea, tisane, or ptisan is a herbal infusions other than those made with real (white, yellow, black, oolong, or green) tea (Camellia Sinensis). Tisanes (Herbal Teas) can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots; generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots are often boiled on a stove for a few minutes. The tisanes (herbal teas) are then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served.
As the cold winter months approach, we tend to crave warming foods and liquids. Unfortunately, as a nation, we tend to satisfy those cravings on a habitual basis with the consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, green, black and red tea. Although green, black and red teas are wonderful for health and contain cancer-fighting antioxidants called polyphenols, there is another group of teas, herbal teas (Tisanes), which also contain enormous health benefits.
Unlike green, red or black teas that are made from the leaf of an evergreen known as Camellia Sinesis, herbal teas are derived from infusions of herbs, flowers, roots, spices or other parts of plants. Herbal teas (Tisanes) hold different health benefits in comparison to the antioxidant qualities of green, red or black teas, but they can also be equally beneficial for health. Although there are numerous types and combinations of herbal teas (Tisanes), the top five include:
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ChamomileChamomile Tisane is known to soothe digestion and relax the gastro-intestinal tract. This tisane also helps to relax and soothe an anxious mood and is a good stress-relieving tisane to drink prior to bedtime. Chamomile also contains several flavonoids, plant chemicals, that have anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory properties. If you suffer from ragweed allergies, it is best to avoid chamomile tisane.
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BerryLemon, raspberry, blueberry and strawberry tisanes are a wonderful way to help lose weight and to kick carbohydrate cravings. These sweet tisanes are excellent to drink at nighttime when the 'munchies' kicks in. They are also hydrating and cleansing to the system which can help decrease bloating and optimize digestion.
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ComfreyComfrey root is not available for internal use in the UK, because it contains chemicals called 'PAs'. These caused liver problems for a very small number of people in Europe, so it was banned for internal use. However, the leaf does not contain these chemicals - so you can drink lots of Comfrey Tisane with official agreement. You should do this if you want to encourage healing in the gut, or anywhere else; if you have arthritis or rheumatism; if you want to settle the stomach. Comfrey is a fantastic herb - if in doubt, use it! As with many garden herbs, there are a number of varieties. The one used medicinally is Symphytum officinale.
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 NettleNettles have a reputation of being nutritious and also detoxifying. Nettle Tisane is thus a good general tea to use every day.
Remember, when making tisanes (herbal teas) it is important to use a glass, porcelain or glazed earth ware pot as the metals can react with some of the herbs. In the summer months, iced herbal teas can be made by steeping the tisane in hot water for five minutes and then chilling the tea for 30 minutes over a glass of ice. Although berry tisanes (Herbal Teas) are naturally sweet, honey or a little brown sugar can be added to the tisane for additional sweetness.
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