Hot herbal tea on a chilly December day—sounds good! Ginger citrus tea, tension-relief herbal tea, peppermint tea all sound healthful. But are herbal teas any better for you than traditional teas?
Green, black, or oolong—tea appears to have health-promoting benefits. However, the health benefits of herbal teas haven’t been studied; neither their benefits nor safety is really known. Some may interfere with medication. Be aware, too, that while many herbal teas are really tea-herb blends (see June 4), other herbal teas aren’t really tea, but infusions of other plant parts.
Caution: A few herbs used to make “tea” may be harmful, especially in large amounts. Among them, comfrey may cause liver damage; lobelia, breathing problems; and woodruff, bleeding, since it’s an anticoagulant. Chamomile is known to cause allergic reactions.
If you’d love to relax with a cup of herbal tea this weekend:
- Buy a major brand of herbal tea. It’s likely safe to drink.
- If you’re taking medication, ask your doctor first.
- Add a cinnamon stick, ginger, peppermint, or rosemary as you infuse regular tea. They, too, may have antioxidant power.
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