Some drink it for its healing properties, others make a cult out of it. Tea is more popular than ever. It is supposed to make slim, protect against cancer and keep the heart fit. Is it all humbug? And above all: Does this only apply to “real” tea from the tea plant or also to herbal teas and fruit teas? Learn more about the different types of herbal teas available on the market, their ingredients and effects.
Polyphenols in tea
Tea is considered to be healthy. The reason for this are in particular the so-called polyphenols. These substances are also found in red wine, which – enjoyed in moderation – is said to have a health-promoting effect. In America, there are even a number of commercial preparations containing polyphenol extracts from tea and/or red wine.
Polyphenols are found primarily in “real” tea, for example in black, white and green tea. Polyphenols are also found in herbal and fruit teas. But herbal teas have many other positive effects on health.
Tea as a home remedy: which tea helps when?
Herbal teas and their effects
Herbal teas do not come from the tea bush, but from dried plant parts of other plants. Like the “real” teas, they do not contain calories. However, they provide vitamins, minerals and essential oils with health-promoting properties. However, they lack caffeine (exception: mate tea).
We show what’s in the different types of tea:
Nettle tea
Nettle leaves are characterized by their content of vitamins and minerals. Nettle tea should not be used in kidney disease!
Effects: draining, diuretic, tonic, invigorating.
Fennel tea
Fennel fruits contain essential oil, the main component of which is bitter fechenone and sweet anethole.
Effects: helps with flatulence, cramps, nausea, abdominal pain and is anti-inflammatory.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile flowers contain essential oils, the main component of which is azulene. The tea should always be drunk hot, otherwise much of its flavor is lost.
Effects: is anti-inflammatory, helps with flatulence.
Linden blossom tea
Linden flowers contain only a small amount of essential oils. Their component farnesol provides the pleasant taste.
Effects: drunk hot diaphoretic, soothing.
Melissa tea
Melissa leaves give off an intense lemon scent. The reason for this is the essential oils contained in lemon balm.
Effects: helps with flatulence, cramps, nausea, abdominal pain; has a calming effect.
Mate tea
The leaves are dried (green mate) and then roasted, which gives the dark brown color and spicy taste.
Effects: stimulating, digestive, diuretic.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint leaves contain 2 – 5% essential oils (up to 60% menthol). In addition, tannins and bitter substances are present. They cause the bitter taste when the tea brews too long.
Effects: good against flatulence, cramps, nausea, abdominal pain; is anti-inflammatory, helps with toothache, is soothing, beneficial for colds (steam bath).
Rosehip tea as a fruit tea
Fruit teas can also have a positive effect on health. For example, the rosehip tea: the fruits of the dog rose contain tannins, fruit acids, essential oils and vitamin C. Ripe rose hips are among the fruits richest in vitamin C.
Effects: Rosehip tea protects against colds.
