5 common herbal teas and their uses.

Herbal teas are something many people enjoy immensely, there is something soothing about their scents and tastes that goes beyond the mere enjoyment of food or drink, but many people who drink these infusions don't understand why that is.

The fact is, herbs have been used as medicine for thousands of years.

Their effects are generally more subtle and have fewer side effects than pharmaceutical drugs, they work nonetheless.

In this article I'll explore 5 natural herbal tea remedies commonly found in commercial blends, and their uses.

Mint is a common tea with many uses.

One of the reasons it is so commonly used in tea is is the soothing sensation from it's high content of menthol.

Menthol works as a local anesthetic, as well as a decongestant, which makes mint tea useful for temporary relief of sore throat, headaches and stomach aches.

However menthol is not the only useful substance found in mint, it also contains small amounts of thymol and carvacrol, which are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal respectively.

There are other more potent sources of these two compounds, but they do not contain Menthol, which makes mint ideal for treating the early stages of a wide variety of coughs, colds and digestive issues.

Another compound found in mint is a-pinene, which along with menthol is one of the main ingredients of ether, which is a sedative, so mint tea makes a good sleep aid.

Side effects are few, the main risk being that mint can inhibit lactation, so it should not be used during pregnancy or by nursing mothers.

Chamomile has many uses, some of which are similar to mint.

Like mint it has a sedative effect, and it is a pain killer.

However unlike mint, chamomile's pain-killing properties come from chamazulene, which is an anti-inflammatory, so it has a similar affect to some over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen, though they tend to be much harsher and more drastic than chamomile.

Chamazulene also has antihistamine properties, so it can be useful in treating mild allergies, but chamomile can contain ragweed pollen, so use caution.

Chamomile can also trigger increased production of thyroxine in the body, which is a naturally produced hormone that has been linked to increased mental alertness, as well as to rejuvenation in hair, skin and nails over time.

Ginger has been used both in tea and as a remedy for centuries.

One reason for this is that it contains both essential fatty acids that humans need to maintain good health, but our bodies cannot create it.

Ginger also contains several C vitamins and amino acids.

Another thing that ginger contains is citral, which is an antimicrobal compound found in citrus fruits and many plants such as lemongrass which has a citrus-like taste.

Oh, and ginger contains beta-caryophyllene, which is yet another local anesthetic!

Ginseng is another long-standing remedy, that has been used both in Asia and by native Americans for millennia.

Ginseng is a good source of many vitamins, and also contains ginsenosides, which have adaptogenic properties.

In normal English this means that ginseng will reduce the affects of stress and fatigue.

Ginseng also acts to improve circulation by dilating capillaries, and has antiplatelet properties, which can reduce artery blockage.

These two properties combine to achieve many of ginseng's most famous affects, causing everything from improved memory and mental capacity to physical stamina and have caused Ginseng to be used as an herbal remedy for erectile dysfunction.

A few other important properties include lowering cholesterol and causing the body to create more white blood cells, which can be useful for fighting off illness.

Ginseng is the most likely of any herbs in this article to have side effects or interact with medications.

It can cause adverse reactions or negate the properties of many pain killers, so use with caution!

Cinnamon is the last of our common teas that can be used as medicine as well.

In fact, cinnamon has been shown in some studies to be able to reduce blood sugar levels by 24% as well as reducing cholesterol.

Cinnamon also has antimicrobal properties, so it can be used to treat digestive tract problems like diarrhea.

And finally Cinnamon is a good source of anti-oxidants.

In summary, many common herbs and spices can be used as home remedies in addition to just tasting good, but this requires careful research and use.

It should go without saying that when in doubt you should consult a professional.

I hope everyone enjoys reading this article as much as I have enjoyed researching and writing it.

If you did enjoy the article, you may be interested in my article on Three common seasonings and their uses.

I think I'll go enjoy a nice cup of tea...