Herbal tea, also known as tisane, is an herbal mixture that is composed out of dried flowers, seeds, leaves, or roots. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not made out of tea leaves. It’s made by boiling water being poured over your choice of leaf, flower, or root, then left to steep.

Sometimes roots and seeds are boiled and served as food after sweetening.

Herbal teas can be made from many different types of ingredients. In Japan, a tea is made from mugicha (a type of roasted barely), is made and drank by locals in the summer. In other areas of the world other types of herbal tea are popular, in China chrysanthemum, hibiscus for the Middle East, etc.

What good are herbal teas? Well, herbal teas can be drank as stimulants or relaxants, depending on your ingredients. Ginger tea is drank by some to settle the stomach or even for congestion issues. Some herbal trees are thought to have anti-cancer properties and are especially beneficial for gastric, esophageal, and skin cancers. This may be good as well for lowering cholesterol.

Where can you get herbal teas?  In America, the most common herbal tea is green tea.  It’s sold as a drink and through supplement form, such as Green Tea Energy.  If you want to though, you can still find all those naturally grown ingredients and boil the tea yourself.
Be careful with herbal ingredients, aswith any medicine, some can cause toxic side effects or allergies. Comfrey, for example, can cause permanent liver damage when used in excess. Lobelia, on the other hand is said to have some of the same addictive side effects as nicotine.

As with any medicine, check with your doctor before you begin to make sure you’re allowed to take herbal tea!