herbal teas have become very popular in recent years due to their soothing effects and extensive range of flavours. as we explore delicious alternatives to caffeinated drinks, the availability of countless herbal tea variations can be both exciting and overwhelming – it can leave you wondering where to start.
to help you get out of your comfort zone, we’ve compiled a list of popular herbal tea varieties, along with their descriptions, flavours and health benefits. start with these to know which ones align with your taste preferences and wellness needs.
what is herbal tea?
herbal tea is an infusion of herbs in hot or cold water. the term ‘herb’ in herbal tea means an edible part of a non-tea plant that can be used to prepare an infusion. the herb can be any part of the plant – leaves, flowers, seeds, roots or a combination of these parts. the drink is called herbal tea or tisane as long as it doesn’t use the camellia sinensis plant (the source of black, green and white tea).
the fact that it can be any edible part of flora from anywhere in the world, translates to the sheer abundance of choices for making herbal tea. some common ingredients include flowers like chamomile, lavender and hibiscus; leaves like peppermint, rooibos and lemon balm; and roots like ginger, liquorice and turmeric. each of these herbal ingredients offers unique flavour, aroma and health benefits.
even though the traditional tea leaves are replaced with herbal ingredients, the method of making these tisanes is similar. all you have to do is grab the herbal ingredients (loose or in herbal tea bags) per the recipe and add them to hot or cold water (depending on how you wish to steep it). now let it steep for 5-10 minutes. then, strain it into a cup, add some sweetener and enjoy!
popular types of herbal tea
this is a list of top picks of different kinds of herbal tea in terms of popularity.
chamomile tea
chamomile tea is one of the most popular types of herbal tea. it’s a lovely, calming drink made from the daisy-like flowers of the chamomile plant. when the fresh or dried flowers are infused in hot water, they release a calming aroma and subtle apple-like flavour with a mild, natural honey-like sweetness.
you can easily make this herbal tea variety using teapigs tea bags or fresh or dried flowers. it can also be combined with other ingredients to make a variation with lavender, ginger or even alcohols like whiskey or brandy.
peppermint tea
next on our list of popular types of herbal tea is a drink made from the hybrid of watermint and spearmint plants – the peppermint plant. peppermint has a high concentration of menthol which gets extracted into water when its dried leaves are infused in hot water.
peppermint is often mixed with one or more of these ingredients to create an interesting variation of this herbal tea variety – lemon juice, ginger and fruits like berries and plums.
ginger tea
ginger tea is one of the spicier types of herbal tea. it’s a healthy drink made by infusing ginger tea bags or fresh ginger in hot water. doing so gets you a distinctly warm and slightly spicy taste with earthy undertones. usually, a light sweetener is required to balance the flavours of the drink.
but that’s not the only way to enjoy the flavours of ginger tea. you can easily combine it with various ingredients to make variations like lemon ginger tea, hot toddy or lemon ginger martini.
rooibos tea
rooibos tea is one of the types of herbal tea from the african continent. it’s made from the leaves of red bush plants grown on the western coast of south africa. although it shares some similarities with traditional tea, it’s entirely different. when the rooibos tea bags or dried leaves are infused in water, the tea offers an outstanding earthy flavour with nutty undertones and natural sweetness.
the flavour of this herbal tea variety can be further enhanced by various combinations like green apples, cinnamon, turmeric and lemon.
lavender tea
lavender tea is a popular choice among the different types of herbal tea made from flowers. it’s prepared by infusing hot water with the purple buds of the flower. the infusion offers a unique floral tea with hints of rosemary and mint, sometimes smoky, woody or sweet.
the flavours of this herbal tea variety are outstanding, and it’s nice to enjoy lavender tea on its own but it can be strong for some. in that case, it’s best mixed with other ingredients like chamomile, rooibos, peppermint or cinnamon.
lemon balm tea
when it comes to the kinds of herbal tea that are soothing, lemon balm tea must be included. made from the dried leaves of the lemon balm plant (a member of the mint family), it has calming properties with a mildly citrusy flavour and lemony aroma. there’s a subtle taste of mint which makes it even more soothing.
lemon balm can be easily paired with other types of herbal tea ingredients like rosemary, lavender, sage, sweet basil and cinnamon to create outstanding kinds of herbal tea.
hibiscus tea
hibiscus tea is a lively, ruby-coloured herbal infusion made from the dried petals of the hibiscus flower. this refreshing drink offers a fruity and slightly tart flavour, similar to cranberries. but it also has a subtle fruity undertone which balances the tartness and makes this drink enjoyable.
it’s one of those kinds of herbal tea that are not just visually appealing but also delicious. it pairs well with other ingredients like ginger, black and green tea. it can even be added to vodka for an outstanding cocktail.
echinacea tea
echinacea tea is made using the leaves and flowers of an herb, echinacea, used to make various supplements. the leaves or flowers are steeped in hot water to get tea known for a tingling sensation. the tea has a strong and distinctive flavour that’s heavily floral with notes of pine nuts and meadowsweet.
the tea is frequently combined with herbs like lemongrass, chamomile, peppermint and ginger to improve its taste and health benefits.
rosehip tea
rosehip tea is made from rose plant’s fresh or dried fruits (or seed pods). when these fruits are infused in hot water, they produce a tangy and slightly tart drink which is often compared with hibiscus or green apple.
rosehip tea, like other kinds of herbal tea, is often enjoyed hot or cold. it can be paired with other types of herbal tea like ginger, hibiscus or chamomile for enhanced flavour.
sage tea
the leaves of sage are used in culinary dishes as well as to make an herbal infusion called sage tea. when steeped in hot water, sage leaves make a drink that has an earthy flavour with subtle notes of mint.
sage pairs well with other types of herbal tea ingredients like lavender, rosemary, turmeric or cinnamon.
benefits of herbal tea
different types of herbal teas offer different health benefits, based on their unique properties. here’s a look at some of the herbal tea benefits of the popular options:
chamomile tea is known for its calming effects, making it effective in reducing anxiety and sleep disorders.
peppermint tea: this tea is excellent for digestion. additionally, its menthol content can also provide relief from headaches and sinus congestion.
ginger tea: here’s one more with digestive benefits! ginger tea helps reduce nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness.
rooibos tea: with its large antioxidant content, rooibos tea can be good for heart health.
lavender tea: lavender tea is calming and can help reduce stress and anxiety. it also helps in improving sleep quality.
lemon balm tea: add lavender tea to your list of stress-busters! it can reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and improving mood.
hibiscus tea: hibiscus tea can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
echinacea tea: want to improve your immunity? try echinacea tea! it can help prevent and shorten the duration of colds and flu.
rosehip tea: here’s one more for booting immunity! it’s high in vitamin c and antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation.
sage tea: last but extremely crucial – this one is for mental health! it helps improve memory and brain function.
conclusion
whether you’re considering some healthy options or simply want to unwind with a delicious drink, you can always count on various types of herbal teas. there are so many different kinds from all over the world, you'll never get bored of trying new ones.
we’ve listed 10 popular ones to get you started. remember that different types of herbal teas cater to a variety of tastes and wellness goals. so, to truly appreciate their profile and pick the ones you like, experiencing them firsthand is the key. so, what’s next? well, conveniently buy herbal tea online and try them all!
faqs on types of herbal tea
q. can herbal tea help with sleep?
a. some types of herbal teas are just right for sleep-related issues. for example, chamomile and lavender teas are popular for promoting relaxation and sleep. these calming herbs may ease anxiety and promote drowsiness, making it easier to drift off.
q. are there any side effects of drinking herbal tea?
a. generally herbal tea is safe but some of them can have side effects. some side effects of certain types of herbal tea are headache, nausea, heartburn and vomiting. it’s best to check with your health consultant and drink accordingly.
q. can herbal tea be consumed cold?
a. herbal tea can definitely be consumed cold. it isn't just for hot sips. there are two ways to enjoy it cold – either go for cold infusion by letting it brew for a long duration to properly infuse the water with the herbs, or brew it in hot water for a few minutes and then chill it over ice.
q. are there any herbal teas that help with allergies?
a. some herbal teas can help with allergies, like nettle with antihistamine properties, peppermint with irritation-soothing properties and ginger with inflammation-reducing properties. consider them for such allergies, but don’t forget to consult your doctor.
