A new paper by the University of the West of England (UWE) and herbal well-being company Pukka Herbs has reviewed available clinical evidence and shows that drinking herbal teas are beneficial for a range of health conditions.
In a review carried out by two internship students Grace Russell and Fatima Poswal, a number of randomised controlled studies and observational studies were analysed.
‘In observational studies, associations between herbal tea consumption and health showed a reduced risk of thyroid cancer and liver disease…’
The studies covered herbal teas made from lavender, chamomile, fenugreek, stinging nettle, spearmint, hibiscus, yerba mate and echinacea.
The review showed that herbal teas were most commonly used for women’s health and postnatal care, where alternatives to pharmaceuticals were desirable. Other teas were explored for diabetes, heart disease and weight loss.
In observational studies, associations between herbal tea consumption and health showed a reduced risk of thyroid cancer and liver disease from regular herbal tea consumption; other studies found no health risks from drinking herbal tea.
Given the known antimicrobial properties of many herbs, it was surprising that only one study had looked at echinacea tea for upper respiratory tract infections.
To access the full article (Poswal, F.S., Russell, G., Mackonochie, M. et al. Plant Foods Hum Nutr) in the journal of Plant Food for Human Nutrition, click here.
