HERBAL TEA FOR BEGINNERS: A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide to Make Some of the Best Herbal Teas and Prevent Diseases with the Natural Healing Power of Herbs

By Tiffany Roussaw

Who doesn't enjoy a nice, hot cup of tea? A pastime of the kings, drinking tea has always been synonymous with afternoon relaxation and great conversation. What you might not realize is that tea, besides being delicious, also has therapeutic powers. That's right! Herbal tea, especially, has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tiffany Roussaw
• Release date: Jul 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088211083

Book preview

Introduction

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice, hot cup of tea? A pastime of the kings, drinking tea has always been synonymous with afternoon relaxation and great conversation. What you might not realize is that tea, besides being delicious, also has therapeutic powers. That’s right! Herbal tea, especially, has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments, and it’s making a big comeback.

Herbal tea is created by steeping or decocting herbs, spices, or other plant materials, as opposed to traditional tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. It contains no caffeine and has been a natural remedy for thousands of years, dating back to ancient cultures in China, India, and Egypt. Many herbs used back then are still used for their healing properties today. Chamomile tea, for example, has anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties, whereas ginger tea is famous for aiding digestion and reducing nausea.

Herbal teas provide numerous health advantages! They reduce stress and anxiety, improve digestion, promote better sleep, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy skin.

Herbal Tea for Beginners will teach you everything you need to know to begin your herbal tea journey. This book is the complete reference for anyone wishing to enhance their health organically, covering everything from the health benefits of various herbs to correct brewing techniques.

One of the best things about herbal tea is that you can tailor it to your preferences. If you’re anxious, a calming blend of chamomile and lavender might help. If you’re feeling under the weather, try ginger and lemon tea. The options are limitless!

But where do you begin when making your herbal tea blends? Don’t worry; Herbal Tea for Beginners has you covered. There are simple recipes for many teas, from classics like peppermint and green tea to more exotic blends like hibiscus and rosehip.

Yet, it is not only about the recipes. This book will also teach you about the various brewing procedures and equipment required to prepare the ideal cup of tea. You’ll learn to steep the tea for optimal flavor and store herbs and spices properly to keep them fresh.

This book will also give you a nice introduction to tea’s history and culture. You'll learn about various tea ceremonies from around the world and how tea has played an integral part in different civilizations throughout history.

So, whether you’re a seasoned tea drinker or just getting started, Herbal Tea for Beginners is an excellent resource to start your herbal tea journey. Why not give it a shot? Who knows, you might find a new favorite tea mix that not only tastes good but helps you feel great as well.

Chapter 1

History of Herbal Tea

Tea has been used in therapeutic practices for most of human history. Herbal tea has been used since ancient China and medieval Europe to treat various ailments, from heart diseases all the way to headaches. Its antioxidant properties make it a real hit even in modern times. Some medicines that were traditionally used in the form of tonics are now highly valued as delectable beverages.

Herbal Tea and the Reason Why Every Culture Used It

Herbal tea is an infusion of any edible plant, and there are different types because they can be made with various ingredients such as spices, roots, tree bark, fruit, leaf, seed, and flowers. Mix this diversity with its wonderful flavor and positive effects on one’s health, and you can easily see why it’s so popular.

Herbal tea consumption can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China and Egypt. The legendary Chinese emperor and herbalist Shennong is said to have discovered tea for the first time in 2737 BC. He was also regarded as the forefather of Chinese medicine at the time. Rumor has it that Shennong boiled his water because he preferred it pure. While the emperor and his warriors were journeying to a distant location one day, they realized they needed to rest and relax. A dead, dried leaf from a Camellia sinensis tree blew into the pot of hot water one of the emperor’s attendants used in boiling water for the emperor, and the color of the water changed to a brownish tinge. The emperor drank the infusion, indicating it was refreshing, invigorating, and had a pleasant flavor.

Another story claims that the Emperor tested various medicinal herbs and chemicals on himself to see their effectiveness. He also discovered that the toxic effects of the plant components he found could be treated with tea leaves. In a similar Chinese fable, the deity of agriculture assumed the role of Shennong, the character who relentlessly nibbles the roots, stems, and leaves of plants to learn about their medicinal properties. It was recorded that he regularly used tea as a toxin treatment.

Some Indian folktales attribute the discovery of tea to Buddha, but this is not widely accepted. It is said that the Buddha decided to meditate continuously for nine years while on a pilgrimage in China. He was unable to accomplish this, and in his frustration with his inability to resist sleep, he severed his eyelids and threw them to the ground. A tree with leaves shaped like eyelids sprouted where the eyelashes had fallen. That was the origin of the tea tree.

Regardless of the truths that lie behind the legends, tea has played an important part in Asian culture for thousands of years.

Tea’s history can be traced back to the first millennium. During the Han Dynasty, medicinal purposes were the primary application for tea. During the Tang Dynasty, it evolved into a beverage that was consumed for enjoyment. Tea was a common component in traditional Chinese medicine, and it was used to cure a wide variety of illnesses and conditions.

Herbal tea also has a long and illustrious history of use as a medicine in Greece, Egypt, and Sri Lanka. Many cultures make herbal tea for spiritual benefits because they feel it opens people's minds and hearts to a spiritual connection. According to the text in Cha Jing, tea consumption reached its peak of popularity in China in about 760 CE.

When considering the history of herbal tea, one has to distinguish between the beverage and the method used to prepare it as it is known today. Back then, the leaves were mashed up in a stone mortar to form compressed cakes known as bricks. The bricks are either boiled in an earthenware kettle or had water added to them. Some of the tea bricks were mixed with binding chemicals such as blood, manure, and wheat to ensure their shape and durability as a form of physical currency. Before being sold, newly produced tea bricks were allowed to dry, cure, and mature.

In ancient China, tea bricks were consumed in three stages: whisking, grinding and toasting. The bricks in today’s pu-erh teas (fermented tea) are typically cheapened, shattered, or flaked before being steeped directly in the tea. The traditional method of finely grinding the bricks is becoming increasingly rare.

In 1753, Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish physician, zoologist, and botanist, classified the tea plant as a distinct species for the first time. Carl’s investigation revealed that China also cultivated two other tea plant species. This discovery led to the development of the black and green teas we are familiar with today. In addition, many domesticated herbs and plants were used to make traditional Chinese and Egyptian medicines, which were frequently mixed with beverages and prepared with simple techniques. Ginseng, used to increase strength; Cardamom, used to treat indigestion, Liquorice, used to treat influenza; and Hibiscus, used to treat cough, are just a few.

This ancient medicine has been discovered in several burial sites, tombs, and underground temples. Archaeologists have discovered massive collections of scrolls and medical papers showcasing the importance of tea in ancient civilizations. Maintaining one’s health and well-being was one of the Pharaohs’ most prized arts, and modern advances in herbal medicine have drawn heavily from their ancient medical manuscripts. Although traditional Chinese medicine has developed natural herbal teas that aim to improve health and address fundamental problems within the body, hibiscus tea remains popular in Egypt. Herbal teas have a long history in Sri Lanka, as well, dating back to the country’s long-standing traditional medicine system.

How Herbal Tea Can Help with Holistic Healing

Tea appears to significantly impact different bodily functions, including preventing irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and even some types of cancer. Herbal tea can also help with digestion, energy, and immune system support. When you are exhausted and worn out, a cup of herbal tea will always help to rejuvenate your system.

For example, dandelion, a bitter herb that is also an amazing liver tonic, helps the liver detoxify gently to function properly, improves fat digestion, and aids in the excretion of excess water. Silymarin, found in milk thistle, is a powerful detoxifying agent that aids in treating fatigue, headaches, and skin tissues. Herbal tea is more than just a beverage; it contains the beneficial plant energy of the herbs themselves.

Just the act of making tea can be beneficial in various ways. Bringing the water to a boil and allowing the plant to be steep will allow you to take things more slowly and appreciate the smaller things in life. The aroma of the herbal tea lulls you into a state of relaxation and makes you want to cuddle up for a few moments of solace. And, as you wrap your fingers around the warm mug and take your first sip,