Herbal Teas for Health

Herbal Teas for Health

Herbal Teas for Health – Herbal teas are shown to improve sleep quality while helping to reduce anxiety, stress, and PMS.

Has your memory taken a dive over the last couple of years? If the answer is yes then you are not alone, the global pandemic has given many of us an element of brain fog. Now a new Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) research review – Herbal Infusions and Women’s Health – presents emerging evidence that certain herbal teas – German Chamomile, Rosehip and Spearmint -could help manage several key issues for women from poor quality sleep to memory loss and debilitating PMS.

Over the past two years the many lockdowns, repetitive routines and quarantines mean that our memory function has not had to work to take in new experiences, hence our current state of brain fog. Moreover, medical experts say if you have had Covid-19 it can have a negative impact on your memory for up to nine months afterwards.

GP, study co-author and guest advisor to the independent health and wellbeing group, Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) – Dr Gill Jenkins explains: “Most of us have suffered from a lack of social connection over the past couple of years, and because of the dearth of new experiences, events and dates our memories may have become more muddled. There has also been a sharp increase in levels of anxiety among women, another factor detrimental to concentration and memory retention.” She adds: “This new study examines several women’s health issues and finds compelling evidence that drinking herbal teas can boost sleep quality and in turn help memory function and low mood.”

Sleep – the cornerstone of good health

We all know that not getting enough sleep has a negative impact on both our mental and physical health. But recent figures show that the global pandemic has exacerbated the sleep crisis in Britain, especially among women.

Even without the harmful effects of the pandemic, the shocking truth is that women have a risk of insomnia that is higher over their lifetime than that 0f men. Women’s sleep issues and their links to hormonal changes – be that menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause – is something that is only just starting to be fully recognised.

Time for tea

 As leading neuroscientists have shown poor sleep can be linked to numerous fatal diseases. At the very least a lack of sleep impairs our ability to function across the board. It is no surprise then that chronic insomnia commonly co-exists alongside other serious medical conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

Women’s health expert and a member of TAP – Dr Catherine Hood says: “Sleep is the foundation of good health. The Herbal Infusions and Women’s Health Study shows that drinking a cup of German Chamomile tea every day can aid relaxation and promote better quality sleep. The tea has mildly sedative properties which help the body to regulate sleep.”

German Chamomile tea also boasts several other health benefits for women including helping to reduce menstrual pain, PMS, and stress. The new study also shows that it can significantly reduce cholesterol and help to improve glucose, insulin, and blood lipid levels.

Making a real difference

The number of British people suffering from diabetes continues to grow. In most cases, patients are encouraged to have a healthier diet and take more exercise. As well as German Chamomile tea, spearmint tea can also have positive effects on glucose levels, and in conjunction with lifestyle changes, it can make a real difference to health. Herbal teas contain a range of plant compounds including flavonoids which helps to explain the many health benefits.

Herbal researcher and study co-author Dr Pam Mason explains: “Spearmint has traditionally been used in herbal medicine for a plethora of digestive disorders including indigestion, IBS, and diarrhoea. She adds: “The evidence highlights that natural compounds such as these have anti-inflammatory and blood vessel dilating properties. Our findings even showed that osteoarthritis sufferers who took it regularly found that their stiffness and mobility improved.”

Other evidence of the benefits of spearmint include:

Helps to regulate hormone levels

Can improve muscle and joint pain

May reduce nausea and headache symptoms

Boost your immune system

 In traditional medicine rosehip tea has long been used to help with digestive upsets because it helps to soothe the gastrointestinal tract. It contains a range of vitamins, including vitamin C, as well as polyphenols which are known to play an important part in immune function.

Beauty isn’t just skin deep

Rosehip tea is another herbal tea infusion which is shown to reduce anxiety and boost sleep and wellbeing. Dr Pamela Mason adds it has many other health benefits too: “Rosehip tea was found to reduce menstrual pain and drinking two cups daily has been shown to help decrease abdominal fat and body weight. It has also been shown to improve the skin’s appearance by boosting elasticity and moisture.”

Dr Catherine Hood from TAP concludes: “To date, we have underestimated the significant impact that hormones have on women’s health. The findings of this new research review suggest that certain herbal teas can have real benefits for a range of conditions.” She adds: “The emerging evidence of the benefits of herbal infusions is fascinating and it will be exciting to see what future studies can add to our body of knowledge. Research like this into women’s health issues can only help us live longer, healthier lives.”

Poppy Watt

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