You always seem to see ‘have some tea’ on those lists for self care, but do you actually know which tea you should be having? There’s so many different types of tea and they all have different benefits for you. If you’re feeling tired then black tea can perk you up, if you’re feeling anxious lemon tea can calm you or if you’re feeling nauseas ginger tea can soothe your stomach.
Black Tea
Black tea has the ability to banish fatigue and stimulate mental alertness, which makes it an obvious choice for the break room at work. It can also reduce stress hormone levels and can contain multiple vitamins such as carotene, vitamin B1 and vitamin C. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties can also help protect the body. From your everyday tea, PG Tips, Yorkshire Tea (my personal go-to!) to your Earl Grey – everyone has their favourite go-to black tea.
Pu’erh
On top of being oxidised, pu’erh is also fermented which gives it even more medicinal properties than normal black tea. It is praised for detoxifying the body by cleansing the bloodstream of fat and toxins from food. It also aids digestion and is often used to supplement weight loss.
Pu’erh is often in loose form as it’s been carefully curated to be the best quality it can be.
White Tea
White tea isn’t just a style of tea, you can also get white tea leaves/bags. White tea is often where the tea is processed minimally and is not rolled or oxidised like black teas. This results in a lighter flavour over black and green tea.
White tea contains catechins which have anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. This helps boost the immune system, lower cholesterol and increase blood pressure.
Green Tea
Green tea is oxidised more than white tea, but less than black and oolong teas. It contains catechins the same as white tea, and also helps boost the immune system, lower cholesterol and increase blood pressure.
Whether you’re drinking loose tea or tea bags, green tea is a really popular choice with a range of different flavourings. (I’m currently eyeing up the unhealthy sounding LINK)
Oolong Tea
Oolong is the middle ground between green and black tea and combines the health benefits of both of them. It contains antioxidants and catechins which assist the immine system.
Oolong tea is often used for it’s weight loss properties as it activates the enzyme responsible for dissolving fatty deposits in the body.
Rooibos or Bush Tea
Rooibos is a naturally caffeine free tea. It contains minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and fluoride as well as vitamin C. Rooibos also contains 37 natural antioxidants, which are thought to help prevent cancer.
It has antihistamine properties which can help during hayfever season, as well as for other allergies. Rooibos is often called Bush tea or Redbush tea.
Herbal & Fruit Tea
Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is from a completely different species to that of the traditional tea plant. It is praised as a treasure trove of vitamins and nutrients such as A, C, E and B complex. It contains antioxidants, amino acids and enzymes plus magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium and more. It is often considered to be a good natural stimulant, whilst being healthier than coffee, although still containing caffeine.
Mint
Mint and peppermint teas aid in digestion, relieve nausea and reduce flatulence and bloating. Peppermint tea can also help relieve headaches caused by menstrual cramps. It is caffeine free but can assist in waking up fully in the morning.
Chamomile
Chamomile is historically a great tea to have to help alleviate a number of symptoms. It can help reduce insomnia and other sleep disorders as it can help soothe you, this also makes it beneficial as an anxiety reducer.
Stomach problems can be alleviated such as menstrual cramps, ulcers and the stomach flu. The immune system is often given a boost due to anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It is naturally caffeine free and so is a good alternative tea before bed.
Lemon
Lemon tea is what my aunts have been telling me to drink since I was young. It works wonders to wake you up in the morning (and even better if you use an actual lemon!). It helps to ‘jump-start’ your digestion and can also help with anxiety and insomnia as it also soothing.
Ginger
Alongside lemon, ginger in tea can help boost your immune system and is part of many peoples daily routines to keep healthy. It is also great to reduce nausea, dizziness and menstrual pain. Plus it’s especially good for morning sickness.