Medicinal Tea

What Is Medicinal Tea?

Teas have been popular for decades and with good reason. Not only are they comforting, and alternately warming or refreshing depending on how they are prepared, but they also provide very impressive health benefits. Medicinal teas fit into a very unique niche within the herbal teas category because they feature medicinal plants and herbs with clinically demonstrated health benefits. This explains why medicinal teas have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years as natural remedies for a range of indications including liver cleansing, constipation, antioxidant and cholesterol support, kidney function, and stress and sleep support.

Medicinal teas have a different antioxidant profile than green, white, black, and oolong teas, based on their composition, and their chemical profiles will also vary widely depending on the plant(s) used. Some of the most common medicinal plants used in herbal teas include dandelion, fennel, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, lavender, licorice, milk thistle, nettle, passionflower, St john's wort, turmeric, and valerian. Medicinal teas are also widely available in stores and online as loose leaf tea, in teabags, as well as in powder formats, the majority of which, are caffeine-free.

Medicinal Tea - Taste, Texture, Aroma

Medicinal teas come in an endless variety of flavour profiles and aromas, based on the herbs and plants in each one. As a general rule, medicinal plants may be a little more earthy than fruity, citrusy, or floral-based herbal teas. Medicinal teas are also often more pungent and have a more complex aroma. Teas that feature bold medicinal herbs may add in other ingredients like fruit, or fruit peel, as well as flowers, and spices, to mellow the plant’s bitterness or astringency for instance, and provide a more balanced and delicate flavour.

Preparing Medicinal Tea

While most medicinal teas are brewed in pretty much the same way, there can be some slight variations, so you should always follow any brewing instructions provided on the individual tea you purchase. Generally, you would start by boiling water, and pour it into a teacup along with one teaspoon to one tablespoon of loose leaf tea or one teabag, cover, and allow to steep for 5 to 15 minutes. It's important to give your tea enough time to fully extract the medicinal constituents in the herbs/plants, as well as the full flavour profile.

Some herbal teas can have a very bold flavour, in which instances a little lemon, honey, or another sweetener may be used.

Most Popular Medicinal Teas

Dandelion – made from flower petals offers a delicate, sweet taste, with an earthy and herbaceous flavour, and astringent notes. Dandelion tea is packed with nutrients and offers mild diuretic properties, as well as supports heart health, digestion, and may aid weight loss.

Echinacea – boasts a strong flavour that is heavy on the floral notes. It has the sharp freshness of pine needles and the soft, round flavour of meadowsweet. The most common use of echinacea tea is for helping to prevent and treat symptoms of the common cold.

Eucalyptus – is intensely aromatic with a mix of menthol, citrus, and pine that impart pungent, bitter, and warm flavours that finish with a cooling sensation. It is traditionally used as an antiseptic and antibacterial and to help soothe the symptoms of the common cold and flu.

Licorice Root – is one of the naturally sweetest teas because the root of the licorice plant is 50 times sweeter than sugar. The tea boasts a flavour similar to that of black licorice and has notes of anise and peppermint. It is known to help soothe gastrointestinal complaints and a sore throat.

Linden – complex overall flavour with a sweet, strong, yet delicate floral taste. The overall infusion is refreshing, with a very slight citrusy note. Linden tea is rich in antioxidants and is reputed for its soothing effects as well as for its ability to soothe cold and flu symptoms.

Raspberry Leaf – similar to a fruity black tea, and boasting a full body and notes of fruity and earthy tastes. Raspberry leaf tea is rich in minerals and antioxidants and promotes healthy digestion and strong bones. It is also said to strengthen uterine walls and decrease labour time, which is why it is so often associated with pregnant women.