Health Benefits of Tea

For centuries, tea has been used in alternative medicine to treat everything from cancer to constipation. Recent research supports these claims: Studies have shown that tea may protect against heart disease, Alzheimer's and many types of cancer. You may think that if you’ve tried one tea, you’ve tried them all, but that’s not the case. There's a wide range of flavors within every type of tea and host of different preventative health benefits. Learn how sipping on a cup of the right kind of tea could be the answer to your health problems.

Passionflower Tea

For Anxiety 

Passionflower has the flavone chrysin, which has anti-anxiety benefits. It works best for people with anxiety who also experience a lot of circular thinking or obsessive thoughts. Try a cup of passionflower tea before bed to calm your mind.

Oolong Tea

For Weight Loss 

Oolong tea boosts metabolism, helping you burn fat faster. Its unique catechin (an antioxidant) and caffeine combination ignites your body’s fat-burning furnace and raises your metabolism for up to 2 hours after drinking it. Oolong tea also contains polyphenols that help block fat-building enzymes. Studies have shown that drinking oolong tea has led to sustained weight loss and a smaller waist size. Be careful not to overload your tea with sugar, which will negate the benefits.

Yerba Mate Tea

For Weight Loss 

Popular in South America, yerba mate tea is chockfull of antioxidants and vitamins and can help you lose fat. It contains the fat-fighting compound mateine, which gives you a metabolism and energy boost. Known as a cravings-killer, it saves you from consuming empty calories you'd normally reach for. Additionally, yerba mate does not produce the caffeine-related crashes that some people experience with coffee and can give you 3-4 hours of very stable, clean energy.

White Tea

For Weight Loss 

White tea is less processed than other forms of tea, therefore the polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, are extra potent. White tea contains ECGC, an antioxidant that prevents new fat cells from forming and fights signs of aging, like wrinkles. Research indicates that these benefits may protect against colon cancer, among other cancers. White tea’s flavor ranges from delicate to bold.

Black Tea

For Fresh Breath 

Black tea helps keep your breath smelling sweet because it is full of polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that stop plaque from clinging to your teeth. Plaque build-up leads to bad breath, among other dental problems. Studies have also found polyphenols inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, thus minimizing the foul-smelling compounds that those bacteria produce. Black tea also helps stop belly fat before it starts. Studies show that polysaccharides in black tea have glucose-inhibiting properties – meaning that it may also help to prevent diabetes.

Ginger Tea

For Headaches 

Ginger works as an anti-inflammatory agent blocking prostagladins – the chemical messengers that cause a slight swelling in the brain. Ginger tea reduces inflammation in about the same amount of time as it would take an aspirin to work. Drink a cup at the onset of your headache to stop pain in its tracks.

Ginseng Tea

For a Libido Boost 

This tea boosts sexual arousal and helps combat erectile dysfunction. Ginseng contains compounds called ginsenosides that affect gonadal tissue, increasing sperm count as well heightening sexual satisfaction for both women and men.

Green Tea

For Overall Health 

This tea has many properties that can help keep you in tip-top health. It contains a phytonutrient called EGCG that increases the hormone CCK, which is responsible for creating the feeling of satiation. Green tea's high EGCG content also makes it an effective cancer fighter. Studies show that drinking green tea may potentially prevent the onset or slow the progression of dementia.

Licorice Root Tea

For a Sweet Tooth 

Licorice (the root, not the candy) is an herb that grows in the Mediterranean and throughout Asia, and is actually sweeter than sugar, with zero calories. In addition to being good for your sweet tooth, it’s also an anti-inflammatory that has bacterial-killing properties and a range of other health benefits, including therapeutic compounds that soothe sore throats.

Nettle Tea

For Allergies 

This tea has antihistamine properties and can prevent hay fever or allergy attacks from happening in the first place. It also relieves annoying allergy symptoms like stuffy nose, sneezing and itchy eyes. Nettle tea is dense, so brew it for 15-20 minutes. Make a larger pot during allergy season and keep in the fridge. Add lime to freshen taste.

Peppermint Tea

For Constipation 

Sip on this delicious yet potent tea to relieve constipation. Whenever you experience an uncomfortable bout of constipation, peppermint tea is sure to improve motility in the GI tract and get you going.

Valerian root tea

For Sleep 

If you’re having trouble sleeping, consider valerian tea. The natural compounds in valerian root have been used as a sedative and may help reduce the amount of time it takes for you to fall asleep. Try drinking valerian root tea a couple of hours before bedtime as a safer alternative to habit-forming sleep aids.

Safflower Tea

For Heart Health 

Tea made out of this powerful flower can boost your heart health! The antioxidants in safflower help prevent heart disease by decreasing inflammation in your arteries, keeping them flexible and less likely to clog. Get the benefits by sipping on a cup of safflower tea once a day.

Written by Dr. Mehmet Oz