Who doesn’t love curling up with a nice warm mug of their favourite hot drink?
For many of us it is a way to find a simple moment of joy and just catch our breath. Coffee has become the beverage to wake up with and a lovely creamy hot chocolate on a cold day is the perfect companion to get cosy with, but a well-made cup of tea can certainly make a bad day so much better.
In fact, as a nation, we have been drinking tea in Britain for over 350 years.
But how often do we drink or even look at the benefits of herbal teas? As it’s National Tea Day this month on the 21st of April I thought it the perfect time to explore some of the benefits herbal teas have for our skin and health.
History of Herbal Tea
While it may seem like a new trend in the West, the drinking of herbal teas for health purposes can be traced back as far as the Shang dynasty in China, some 4000 years ago. Additionally, many cultures around the world used herbs to make teas that could help promote good health and even help recover from certain ailments.
For example, Indian Chai dates back to between 5000 and 9000 years ago, and as the folklore tale goes the reigning king of that time created a recipe as a healing Ayurvedic beverage. Similarly, around the world, there are different stories found about healing herbal teas.
Today we are starting to become more aware of the benefits of herbs but additionally thanks to modern science we are aware of the negative impact of drinking too much caffeine which is present in both coffee and black tea.
We are all aware that drinking too much coffee ( 4 or more cups a day) can have a negative effect but what many may not be aware of is that unlike herbal tea, black tea also contains caffeine (about 50 to 90 milligrams per cup). Drinking Too much caffeine can leave you anxious, restless and unable to sleep, and cause headaches.
So perhaps it is a good idea to explore the option of swapping some of our cups of coffee and black teas for healthier herbal options
3 Herbal teas that can help improve your skin and health.
Blackberry Leaf Tea
We all know that berries are considered a superfood and are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. So should it be any surprise that blackberry tea is beneficial for the skin? Additionally, it has been shown to have both anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Blackberry tea leaves have also been used to treat skin conditions like psoriasis and skin ulcers.
Rose Hip Tea
High in vitamin C and beneficial plant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that help to boost the health of the skin, several older studies have found that rose hip powder may even help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, including pain. Studies have also found that rose hips may also be beneficial for weight management, helping decrease body mass index (BMI) and belly fat.
Turmeric tea
Turmeric contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components, which may provide glow and lustre to the skin. Additionally, if you suffer from skin issues like acne, turmeric tea could help. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, a cup of turmeric tea can assist in clearing up your skin and improving your skin health. There are many additional benefits to drinking a cup of turmeric tree such as boosting the immune system, can help if you suffer from psoriasis, help heal skin wounds.
