Health Benefits And Side Effects of herbal tea
What are the side effects of herbal tea?
Herbal teas have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments.
The fact that herbal teas are often made from plants and herbs that have many medicinal benefits makes them even more appealing.
But does this make them more risky too?
Drinking herbal teas has a number of side effects and health benefits.
Some herbal teas have a huge positive effect on the body while on the other hand, if taken incorrectly they may become harmful for the body.
Though most herbal teas can be beneficial and offer a range of health benefits, some can also cause side effects that you may not expect.
This article will list the possible side effects of herbal tea, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to consume them.
11 Herbal Teas with side effects
Drinking herbal teas can have a lot of health benefits.
They are known to reduce stress, promote weight loss and even fight cancer.
While there is a wide range of genuine benefits, it’s always important to understand the potential side effects of herbal tea, so you can decide what is best for your diet.
Below are some of the potential side effects;
1. Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning feeling in your chest and can be caused by consuming too much caffeine.
Drinking too much Green Tea can be a factor, as its caffeine content is one of the highest among herbal teas.
Green Tea is reported to help prevent cancer, improve memory and brain function, and fight infections.
2. Diuretic
Another side effect of drinking herbal teas is that it can cause you to go to the bathroom more often than normal.
This is because tea contains caffeine, which is a diuretic that can cause you to pee more often than normal.
3. Headaches
Depending on the tea, some can also cause headaches and nausea.
This is due to the chemical compounds found in the roots, bark, berries and leaves, from which the tea is drawn.
All this can be avoided by choosing the correct tea for you and understanding the correct doses and purpose of the herbal tea.
So, let’s have a look at some popular herbal teas and their side effects below.
4. Green Tea
Green tea has been reported to have a number of beneficial effects in the body.
It is reported that green tea can help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Green tea is also shown to help prevent cancer, improve memory and brain function, and fight infections.
This wonder tea is also reported to help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases.
It also protects against Prostate cancer.
Made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, (a perennial evergreen shrub), Green tea is consumed all over the world.
It is thought to have originated in China and is one of the most popular herbal teas in the world.
Many people drink it because of its antioxidant content, which is linked to various health benefits.
Green tea is also a source of L-theanine, an amino acid that has a relaxing effect on the body.
5 Side Effects of Green Tea
Green tea extract has some of the benefits as well as side effects.
Excess of everything is bad and green tea consumption is no different.
Drinking green tea is a major trend in the health and wellness community, but it’s not without its side effects.
For example,
- Drinking more than 2 cups of green tea within a day may lead to an upset stomach or stomach ulcers because it contains a large amount of caffeine
- A clinical trial has shown that drinking green tea in excess results in headaches
- You can also suffer from sleeping problems as it is not helpful in sleep aid, due to its caffeine levels
- It can also lead towards liver damage
- You may suffer from heartburn if you consume too much green tea
5. Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
This tea is much lighter in color, taste, and flavor than other teas.
Consumed via a tea bag, loose leaf, or Oolong tea powder, Oolong tea has various health benefits.
It contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Also used to prevent blood clots in blood vessels and improve bone density, this is one of the best herbal remedies.
Oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea, which is unique among the 4 major tea varieties in that it is not fully oxidized.
This gives it a more complex flavor and a darker color than green tea, but less than black tea.
Oolong teas are traditionally processed by hand, and its popularity has spread throughout the world.
2 Side Effects of Oolong Tea
Some of the active ingredients in Oolong Tea can cause serious problems;
- Drinking a cup of tea each day won’t create issues, but excessive consumption could cause nervousness, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and sleep problems
- Drinking large amounts of Oolong tea is bad for your heart rate, causing it to increase
6. Ginger Tea
Drinking ginger tea on a regular basis can help you shed excess fat in your body and help you lose weight.
The other health benefit of ginger tea is that it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
If you suffer from any kind of chronic pain or inflammation, drinking ginger tea can help alleviate symptoms.
It has also been known to help reduce nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness in pregnant women. It is used as natural blood thinners.
Ginger tea is a great source of vitamin C, and helps the body to fight coughs and colds. It’s also excellent for digestion, and is a great source of antioxidants.
2 Side Effects of Ginger Tea
Herbal products are good when you take them in the proper amounts. But excessive use of herbal supplements;
- Increase in gas, leading to the discomfort of the stomach
- Excessive amounts may cause issues like bloating and heartburn
7. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea leaves, also known as ‘sleepytime tea’, is widely used for its calming effects.
This is because it contains flavonoids and essential oils, which are also responsible for its fragrance.
Drinking cups of chamomile tea helps to promote sleep and reduce anxiety disorder.
It also promotes healthy digestion and can relieve heartburn, gas, and bloating.
Not only is it an excellent way to calm down your stress, but it will also help you in a lot of ways such as:
Reducing muscle spasms, soothing the digestive system, lower blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, soothing the nervous system, relaxing the brain function, improving insomnia, etc.
- Read more about The Wonders of Sleepytime Tea
3 Side Effects Of Chamomile Tea
- People who are allergic to daisy plants may get allergic reactions
- Chamomile tea can also cause drowsiness, and vomiting
- Too much Chamomile Tea increases blood sugar levels
8. Valerian Tea
Valerian tea is made from valerian root and is a great way to sleep when you’re stressed and provides a great alternative to other, more chemically-based sleep aids.
It has been used as a powerful sedative for centuries as one of the oldest herbs on the planet, renowned for its medicinal properties.
This plant is native to Europe and Asia and is commonly used to treat various ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
Scientific evidence has shown that this tea is safe and doesn’t have any serious side effects, but pregnant women should check before consuming this tea.
9. Black Tea
There are many varieties of black tea available in the market.
Drinking black tea can even reduce the risk of death from heart disease and stroke.
Plus, it helps you lose weight, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and ward off diabetes.
So it’s not hard to see why Black tea is a very popular drink, and one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.
8 Side Effects of Black Tea
While it is arguably one of the best herbal teas available, Black tea consumption in large amounts is not recommended.
Side effects can include;
- Increased feelings of anxiety, due to caffeine
- Difficulty sleeping
- Faster breathing rate
- Headaches
- Increase in urination as it acts as a diuretic
- Irregular heartbeat issues or heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
10. Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea is a member of the mint family,and a natural remedy that can be used to soothe your digestive system, reduce nausea and help you get some restful sleep.
It’s a perennial herb that is native to Asia, but can be grown anywhere in the world.
The leaves are traditionally used in recipes for tea, jams, jellies and candies, and the flowers are often used to make lemon balm honey.
They are even used to make herbal medicines.
These leaves can be used with hot water to make a great-tasting tea, containing antioxidants, which are important for fighting aging and disease and help to reduce stress and anxiety.
5 Side Effects of Lemon Balm Tea
Some of the negative side effects of this tea include;
- Upset Stomach
- High blood pressure issues
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
11. Dandelion Tea
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a common name for plants in the family Asteraceae. It is made from dandelion root.
These plants are perennial herbs native to Europe and Asia, also known as blowball, lion’s tooth or puffball.
There are many species of dandelion, but all of them have the same nutritional benefits – rich in vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and silicon.
Dandelion leaf tea is used for many purposes and is prepared in different ways.
3 Side Effects of Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea contains high toxicity, if consumed in large amounts.
Some of the side effects include;
- Stomach discomfort
- Bloating
- Liver problems
Side Effects Of Herbal Tea - The Bottom Line
Herbal tea drinks can provide a huge range of positive benefits if consumed properly, and have supported the health of humans for thousands of years.
To think a simple cup of regular tea can improve your heart health, lower your blood pressure and even help combat cancer, is nothing short of fascinating.
That said, the very nature of using plants and roots means that toxic ingredients and potentially serious side effects are never too far away.
We would always recommend speaking to your healthcare provider to check it won’t interfere with prescription medications or ongoing treatments.
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