When it comes to the option of beverages, some people prefer coffee while some people prefer tea. However, coffee is always associated as a morning thing while tea is commonly associated with something to warm you up at night especially before bed. Just like coffee there are some varieties of tea and one of them is herbal tea.
What Is Herbal Tea?
Herbal tea is not really a tea. Yes, it is true because the tea you know all this time is beverage made of specific plant well known as Camellia sinensis, other than that is well known as herbal tea which is the infusion of leaves, roots, flowers, fruits, herbs, spices and even barks of several types of plants. The most well-known herbal teas are such as peppermint tea, chamomile tea and hibiscus tea. Actually, there are more options of herbal tea and even you could make your own herbal tea with leaves, fruits, roots or flowers you could find around you. However, at least you should know first the health benefits of each item before you mix them into one herbal tea.
Nutritional Values of Herbal Tea
When talking about the nutritional values of herbal tea is not easy to determine because it depends on the herbs, spices and plants you add to the infusion. That is why as mentioned above before you mix several things into one homemade herbal tea you should learn first about the health benefits of each of them. However, if what you’re looking for is type of herbal tea so you could have a good night sleep below is the list of herbal tea recommended to drink before bed.
- Ginger Tea
Just like the name, ginger tea is one of the herbal teas with ginger as the main ingredient. How to make it is very simple, just slicing some gingers and boiling them along with water. Just by drinking ginger tea you could get all the health benefits of ginger. Ginger is packed with antioxidants and highly recommended consumed by women during menstruation period. A cup of ginger tea before bed could bring them to a sound sleep because ginger could help reducing the period pain.
- Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is herbal tea made of specific herbal plant well known as chamomile or Roman chamomile. A lot of studies have proven chamomile tea to be excellent sleep aid due to its calming effect properties. Due to the same properties found in chamomile tea, some studies also associated this herbal tea with the symptoms of depression treatment. Not only that, there are more health benefits of chamomile tea such as anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial agents and also useful to treat premenstrual syndromes.
- Lemon Balm Tea
Don’t mistaken lemon balm tea is made of lemon juice because lemon balm tea is actually herbal tea made of the leaves of lemon balm, a herbal plant from the mint family. One of the health benefits of lemon balm tea is it is an excellent source of antioxidants recommended to be enjoyed right before you go to bed especially those who want to have healthy and younger skin. The formula contained in lemon balm tea will help optimizing the cells’ regenerations while you sleep.
- Sage Tea
Some clinical studies have published some evidences about the powerful medical properties found in sage tea. Asides from chamomile tea, sage tea is one of the well-known types of tea made of herbal plant well known as sage or Salvia officinalis. Some of the amazing health benefits of sage tea are such as good for maintaining mood, excellent sleep aid and great to improve memory.
- Echinacea Tea
Whenever you feel like catching flu, having a cup of warm Echinacea tea is highly recommended before you go to bed. For over centuries, Echinacea tea has been well known to be effective home remedy to treat light fever, sore throat or flu. It is because Echinacea tea contains some powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that could act as natural immunity booster. Echinacea tea is also recommended to be consumed during recovery state, so you could accelerate your recovery by having a very good night sleep.
- Rose Hip Tea
Rose hip tea is not that popular among the herbal tea but you must be surprised about the amazing health benefits of this herbal tea. Rose hip tea is not made of rose petals but from the fruits of rose plant. If you are currently suffering from arthritis or osteoarthritis that make your sleep at night so restless, having a cup of rose hip tea may help you reducing the pain because it could as potent anti-inflammation. Rose hip tea is also good for weight management. Some studies have found out that those who have been consuming rose hip tea regularly before bed are likely to reduce the belly fat as well as the BMI.
- Passionflower Tea
The fact that passionflower tea could help relieve anxiety and improve sleep has been well known since ancient time. Passionflower tea has been used as sleep aid traditionally for over centuries. This fact has been proven scientifically and based some clinical studies passionflower tea may be effective to treat some mental symptoms as well. Having a cup of passionflower tea before going to bed may help you reducing the stress and anxiety you have been suffering and instead you will have a good night sleep.
- Turmeric Tea
Surely you have been familiar with the health benefits of turmeric and now you could enjoy it the form of turmeric tea. Though right now there are a lot of tea bags made of turmeric tea but making it yourself is highly recommended. Furthermore, turmeric tea is well known to be free-caffeine herbal tea, so having a cup of turmeric tea before bed is great to warm yourself up.
Cautions of Drinking Herbal Tea before Bed
Aside from the health benefits of herbal tea before bed mentioned above there are some cautions you should know first about the side effects that may occur when you drink herbal tea especially when you are about to drink it before going to bed.
- Though the amount is lesser compared to coffee but still herbal tea contains caffeine. Everyone has their own tolerance toward caffeine so you should know yours since you plan to drink the herbal tea before bed, instead of a cozy night you will suffer insomnia.
- Learning about the specific nutrients or properties contained in each item added to the herbal tea mixture is important to avoid negative reactions. For example is when you have problem with your stomach is better to avoid adding your tea with lemon juice or drinking it in empty stomach when you adding honey to the mixture.
- Drinking herbal tea during pregnancy may helpful but it is better to consult the doctor first to make sure the herbs added to the tea mixture are safe enough for the fetus. For example is turmeric tea is not recommended during pregnancy because turmeric contains some active compounds that could stimulate contraction.
The eight varieties of herbal tea mentioned above are the most recommended ones though some people could be really creative in mixing the herbal tea with others herbs and spices to improve the flavor such as honey, cinnamon, lemon juice or even mint leave.