Discover Your Tea Type

January is the perfect cold weather month to celebrate National Hot Tea Month!  Incorporating herbal teas into your meal plan is a simple, inexpensive way to enhance your health this upcoming year.  There are hundreds of varieties of tea that offer an array of health benefits due to their herbal content and antioxidant power.

Here I have outlined some of my favorites and how each contains their own unique health boosting properties.

Green Tea: Green tea has become all the rage in recent years and has become one of the most popular tea choices among many people.  Green tea is native to China and India and is often served in Japanese restaurants here in the United States.  Because green tea is one of the least processed tea varieties, it contains higher amounts of antioxidants and polyphenols than any other tea.  Antioxidants protect against cancer development, and polyphenols provide anti-inflammatory effects.  In fact, traditional Chinese and Indian medicine uses green tea as a digestive aid, to control bleeding, heal wounds, and improve heart and mental health. Important note: Do not use green tea if you are taking anticoagulating medication. Always ask the advice of your doctor.

Chamomile Tea: This is a fragrant, yet fruity tea that is derived from the chamomile flower.  Its calming aroma is the reason why chamomile tea is commonly known to have soothing effects on the body to provide for a better night sleep.  This is one tea variety you might want to choose as a bedtime beverage that might also combat anxiety and stress.  Chamomile tea has also been researched for beauty boosting effects due to its healing and skin brightening properties.

Chai Tea: Chai tea has a delicious, aromatic flavor that combines herbs and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg.  The combination of these spices helps to increase circulation, reduce fatigue, benefit your lungs, kidney and heart, elevate your mood, relieve pain and promote digestion.  Try steaming chai tea with milk to make a warm and creamy flavorful beverage.

Rooibos Tea: This tea variety is known as red bush tea because of its red color and is caffeine free.  It contains powerful antioxidants and minerals, such as magnesium and iron.  In fact, unlike other teas that contain tannins which inhibit the absorption of iron, rooibos tea actually enhances the absorption of iron.  Rooibos tea contains a powerful antioxidant known as Chysoeriol, which improves circulation and has been researched for its ability to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

White Tea: White tea leaves are the least processed of any other variety of tea and therefore, contains more antioxidants than any other tea.  Drinking white tea is also known for having anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities.

Black Tea: If you are a regular coffee drinker and need your caffeine, black tea is for you since it contains the most caffeine of any other tea.  Black tea also contains alkaline antigens that help boost the immune system.

As you can see, there is a tea type to match every mood, taste and environment, so take this month to branch out and try something new.  Who knows, you may even decide to ditch that morning cup of coffee for a warm cup of relaxing, herbal tea!

Your turn to take action: What is your favorite variety of tea?

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