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Individuals should emphasize plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and olive oil, while minimizing intake of red or processed meat and sugary beverages to maintain a healthy diet in line with clinical evidence. The global mortality rates for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to escalate. The predominant contributors to the increasing mortality rates from NCDs include ischemic heart disease, dementia, and diabetes.  

According to national dietary guidelines, the Government of the Netherlands advises people to drink three cups of green or black tea daily based on a body of evidence linking tea consumption to the reduced risk of stroke and high blood pressure. The regular consumption of black and green tea derived from the plant Camellia sinensis which have high medicinal benefits due to polyphenolic catechins and teaflavin compounds.  Green and black tea can be made with water infusions of the roots, leaves, flowers and other component parts of a hugely diverse range of plant species    The compounds in these herbal teas have a lot of potential and could be beneficial that play an important role in the delivery of nutrients and chemicals. The most popular herbal teas that contain camomile and peppermint due to the anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic responses to chamomile, and relaxation effects of peppermint oil on the gastrointestinal tract.     

Biochemical Power of Herbs and Herbal Teas  

Herbs contain phytochemicals, which are important secondary metabolites that are necessary for plant growth. The structure of natural defense and communication is similar to that of many human biochemical compounds. Phenols are the most common and widely studied for their antioxidant qualities and other compounds' biological activity is determined by their chemical properties, which include the steroidal components of saponins and the sugar attachments of glycosides.   

Hot water is effective in releasing phytochemicals from herbs and making them more potent. Volatile oils from herbs can enter the bloodstream through the nose or respiratory system. Tea is a popular and easy way to consume herbal remedies. For example, a study explored a herbal remedy for diabetes based on traditional healing practices. Chamomile and lavender teas are simple therapy choices for breastfeeding women. This is especially useful when they prefer natural treatments over synthetic drugs.  

Health benefits of Herbal Teas  

• Herbal teas have been traditionally used to support women's health. Healthcare professionals often suggest chamomile and lavender teas to new mothers, advising them to enjoy the flavor and fragrance for duration of two weeks because lavender and chamomile herbal tea improved sleep quality and remedied feelings of low mood in new mothers because these teas have shown to alleviate sleep problems and uplift m ood, reducing feelings of depression. Other than that spearmint tea was perceived to be effective for women’s health as anti-androgen therapy by female participants with poly-cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  

• Tea made from Salacia reticulate (Kothala Himbutu), a native flowering plant in Sri Lanka decrease both HbA1c and levels of one anti-diabetic drug required by patients to treat their disorder. It is rich in polyphenols including mangiferin, kitalanol and salacinol, and these are thought to contribute to the hypoglycaemic effect.  

• Hibiscus tea reduces blood pressure because it is rich in phenols and anthocyanins, which have been shown to have various effects on cardiometabolomic events. The mechanisms behind these effects are complex and involve protection against reactive oxygen species, inhibition of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and targeting of phosopholipase pathways. Additionally, anthocyanins can inhibit NF-kB signaling, which is beneficial for vascular endothelial function and has anti-atherosclerotic properties. Tea with Garcinia cambogia, Commiphora mukul and Cyperus scariosus support to weight loss and diabetes and also Tea made with Populus tremuloides can reduce Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and other serum markers of diabetes by increasing serum antioxidant capacity and oxidative activity.  

• Turmeric, widely acknowledged for its anti-inflammatory properties, has been found effective in treating arthritis, as indicated by improvements in pain scores and an arthritis diagnostic index.  

• People who usually drink chamomile tea have a lower associated risk of thyroid cancer and thyroid diseases because chamomile phytochemicals interact with hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species that involved in thyroid hormone biosynthesis and implicated in thyroid cancer pathophysiology  

• Herbal tea consumption is associated with a lower risk of liver stiffness compared to green or black teas  

In conclusion, research suggests that certain herbal teas show potential clinical benefits in areas such as female and maternal health, as well as for chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight loss. Observational studies indicate possible associations between herbal tea consumption and a reduced risk of liver and thyroid disease. The findings propose that herbal teas could be a cost-effective and culturally fitting therapeutic option, offering an alternative to pharmacological treatments, particularly in situations like pregnancy. Further research is needed to better understand the clinical treatment and preventative health potential of herbal teas.  

References - Poswal, F.S., Russell, G., Mackonochie, M., MacLennan, E., Adukwu, E. C., & Rolfe, V. (2019). Herbal teas and their health benefits: a scoping review.  Plant Foods for Human Nutrition ,  74 , 266-276.