Sri Lanka is famous for producing the world’s best tea. The outstanding tastes and flavours enjoy high demand around the world. All the commercial tea varieties are often admired and spoken of. Did you know that Sri Lanka is also a producer of some of the world’s best herbal tea varieties?
Anyone who has tried herbal teas can tell the simple difference between a common tea variety and herbal tea with one sip. Tea is usually derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal tea is not your usual cup of tea. In fact, it is not tea at all. It is an infusion or a blend of various leaves, flowers, fruits, or barks of a medicinal plant.
Herbal teas are available in various varieties. They are consumed to enjoy various health benefits. Each herbal tea is made using a medicinal plant that possesses values unique for itself. Many cultures admire the work of herbal tea. Ayurveda is a medicinal practise that makes use of herbal beverages more often. Most practitioners of Ayurveda recommend herbal teas to their patients as they have studied the health benefits each beverage delivers.
RANAWARA TEA
Ranawara or Cassia auriculata is a popular herb among Sri Lankans. Ranwara plants are mostly available in the coastal line and the dry zones in Sri Lanka. The herbal tea made with the flower of this plant has been widely used by Sri Lankans for generations. It is prepared by boiling Ranawara flowers in hot water.
After it is left in boiling water for 20 – 30 minutes, the tea can be strained while the residue can be discarded. Now, Ranawara tea is available in tea bags making it accessible and available to many around the world. The regular consumption of Ranawara is recommended due to its multiple benefits.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Ranawara acts as an agent in restoring sexual vitality. It increases sperm count and counteracts ejaculatory disorders. Consuming Ranwara tea can also help diabetes patients to keep their sugar levels under control. It also aids gut health by cleaning the stomach. Daily consumption of Ranawara tea can also assist in healthy skin. It restores the skin with a natural glow. Menstrual pains can also be kept low with the help of this herbal tea.
GOTUKOLA TEA
Gotu Kola or Centella asiatica is a herb that belongs to the Parsley family. It is also known as the “herb of longevity”. Gotu kola sambol is a popular dish in Sri Lankan cuisine. The plant grows in warm, tropical climates. Most Sri Lankans consume Gotu Kola to receive the numerous health benefits the plant has to offer.
The herbal tea of Gotu Kola is also a widely used beverage in Ayurveda medicine. It can be brewed by boiling Gotu kola with water. The softness of its leaves makes it easy to brew. To suit the busy lifestyles of modern-day consumers, Gotu Kola tea has been introduced to the market in tea bags, where users can simply insert them in their cup of hot water and consume the herbal tea after a few minutes.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Gotu kola as a herb itself has a lot of healing properties. Drinking Gotu kola tea helps consumers to experience the same benefits. It is a natural antidepressant. Its positive effects on the brain extend further where it can also help to keep the risk of Alzheimer’s disease at bay. It has a modest way of protecting the brain cells from toxicity.
Consuming Gotu kola tea can also help in treating insomnia and other sleeping disorders. Blood circulation is another body function that is affected positively by Gotu Kola herbal tea. It helps to reduce problems with fluid retention, and ankle swelling. It has been found helpful when treating varicose veins.
MORINGA TEA
The leaves of Moringa, the drumstick tree, are boiled to make moringa herbal tea, a refreshing healthy beverage that supports the body in many ways. The moringa tree is also known as the “Miracle Tree” because of its amazing values. Moringa Tea is made by steeping dried moringa leaves in freshly boiled spring water for about five minutes before being strained.
Moringa leaf powder and tea bags are present in the market for anyone searching for moringa tea. The herbal tea can be consumed any time of the day. It offers an earthly flavour similar to green tea. It is less bitter than most herbal tea varieties and can tolerate high temperatures when being brewed.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Moringa leaves contain essential vitamins. Each leaf contains a significant amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 along with essential nutrients such as beta-carotene and amino acids. Its nutritional value helps to fight hunger. As a result, it is mostly consumed in poor countries to combat malnutrition. Moringa tea is a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help to eliminate free radicals from the body and prevent oxidative stress. It also reduces inflammation. Chronic inflammation causes serious health issues such as high blood pressure, chronic pain, and stroke.
CORIANDER
Coriander is a herb that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is also known as Chinese parsley. Even though all the parts of a coriander plant are edible, its seeds are special since they are used to prepare herbal tea. The seeds are placed in a container which is then filled with boiling water.
After being left for five minutes, it is strained and poured into a cup. Coriander tea made this way can be consumed 2-3 times a day. It is one of the commonly recommended teas by ayurvedic doctors. It takes a special place in the herbal tea list due to the health benefits it offers.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Drinking coriander tea promotes healthy digestion. Linalool and geranyl are two powerful antioxidants. Coriander seeds have them in high quantities. These essential oils help the production of digestive enzymes and juices that soothes the digestive system. As a result, drinking coriander tea is a good solution for anyone suffering from bloating, nausea, and indigestion. The herbal tea can also help with curing skin conditions such as rashes, eczema, and fungal infections. Since coriander tea is directly influenced by the plant seeds, it can help to restore the balance of the menstrual cycle.
BAEL FLOWER TEA
The bael flower tree, also known as the Aegle marmelos or “Golden Apple Tree” is a highly admired medicinal plant. Its flowers are used to make bael flower tea. This herbal tea has served many health purposes for centuries. It is made by boiling sun-dried bael flowers in water. This hot beverage is known to cool the body from the inside. The longer the bael flowers are boiled, the better it tastes, and the brew is stronger in colour. Although it might not taste good for everyone. Therefore, it is often consumed with a piece of jaggery to help it agree with the sweet tooth.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Consuming bael tea helps the human body to experience a lot of health benefits. It acts as a tonic for the heart and the brain. Traditionally, it was consumed to cure constipation, diarrhoea, diabetes, and many other conditions. It contains chemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins, which help to reduce inflammation. Consuming bael flower tea can help to heal ulcers. It also controls lipid profiles and triglycerides, reducing cholesterol levels. It helps to keep diabetes under control by keeping blood sugar levels under control.
HIBISCUS TEA
Hibiscus is a flowering plant that belongs to the mallow family. There are many species of the plant that grow in all locations and climates. Even though it looks like an ordinary garden plant, it comprises a lot of health benefits. The herbal tea of hibiscus is one good way to experience these benefits. It is made by steeping hibiscus flowers in boiling water for five minutes. It has a tart taste. Therefore, it is often sweetened using lime or honey.
HEALTH BENEFITS
For starters, it is a rich source of antioxidants. These molecules help the body to fight free radicals that cause cell damage. High blood pressure is a condition that leads to an increased risk of heart disease. Drinking hibiscus tea helps to reduce blood pressure. It also lowers blood fat levels, which is also a well-known counter for heart disease. Live health is important for the proper functioning of the body. Consumption of hibiscus tea can increase drug-detoxifying enzymes and reduce liver damage and fatty liver. It also provides good support for weight loss.
