Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Boston's Tufts University, examined chamomile, peppermint and hibiscus tea. They were keen to find out whether tea does in fact have any health benefits, as is widely believed.
Chamomile Tea: the Verdict
The research confirmed that chamomile tea is an antioxidant and has antimicrobial properties. However, even though chamomile tea is often recommended as a natural sleep remedy, the team couldn't find any evidence to back this up.
Peppermint Tea: a Natural Stomach Soother
Peppermint tea was also placed under the microscope, as it is often heralded as a "super herb". What they discovered was that peppermint tea can help allergy sufferers and is also a powerful antioxidant.
It was also found that peppermint tea soothes the stomach, as it calms the nervous and digestive systems.
Hibiscus Tea for Blood Pressure
Hibiscus tea has been considered beneficial for several reasons; and the Boston research team confirmed this. The team studied a group of 65 volunteers, half of whom were instructed to drink hibiscus tea. The other half only drank tea that contained hibiscus flavouring.
The six-week trial involved blood pressure tests at various intervals. The results were intriguing – the people who drank the real tea experienced a lower blood pressure, by as much as 7.2 points.
Green Tea: Cancer Cure?
Many people drink green tea because it's been claimed to aid digestion, weight loss and ward off illness. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that older women who consume green tea could also lower their risk of colon, throat and stomach cancers.
Another study involved 69,000 Chinese women drinking green tea several times a week. After the trial, the women had a 14 percent reduced risk of developing cancer.
The Final Word
While the Boston research backed up claims that herbal tea is good for health, the researchers were quick to point out that more investigation is needed. Either way, sipping herbal tea is likely to make you feel better than coffee or other beverages.
A nutritionist or naturopath can advise you on the best teas to drink for optimum health and wellness.
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