Marmara University, Faculty of Pharmacy
"It is a warm or hot beverage prepared of flowers, leaves and stems of medicinal and aromatic plants that are brewed using different techniques.
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Title:
| What is herbal tea?
| How are herbal teas brewed?
| When and how often should herbal teas be drunk?
| What should be considered when drinking herbal teas?
| Who can consume herbal teas?
| What is the shelf life of herbal teas?
| How should herbal teas be stored?
| What is the place of herbal teas in medicine?
| Can herbal tea be made from every plant?
| Are herbal teas only prepared from dried plants?
| Is sugar added to herbal teas?
What is herbal tea?
It is a warm or hot beverage prepared of flowers, leaves and stems of medicinal and aromatic plants that are brewed using different techniques.
How are herbal teas brewed?
Infusion (infusion, brewing), decoction (boiling) and maceration (soaking) are the most common herbal tea preparation techniques.
Infusion: It is a frequently preferred method when soft parts of the plant such as flowers and leaves (chamomile, linden) are used. It is obtained and consumed by macerating the raw droplet with warm or boiled water for a short time.
Decoction: This method is preferred when woody (bark, wood, seed, etc.), and less permeable tissues such as the underground parts of the plant (ginger, cinnamon bark) are used. The plant parts are boiled with cold water, filtered and consumed warm.
Maceration: This method is generally preferred for mucilage-bearing plants (such as flaxseed, hibiscus, marshmallow root). The plant parts are mixed with water in a container with lid. The mixture is kept for a while (4-8 hours) at room temperature, preferably in a dark place. Ultimately, it is ready to be consumed.
When and how often should herbal teas be drunk?
When to drink herbal teas depends on personal preferences and needs. Depending on the herbal ingredients in herbal teas, it is recommended to drink them at certain times. In general, herbal teas are mildly effective, so they may be more effective between meals, i.e. 1-2 hours after meals, when the stomach is empty. However, tea that is consumed to facilitate digestion should be drunk after a meal or tea prepared to prevent a sudden rise in blood sugar during meals should be drunk 30 minutes before meals. Drinking 2-3 cups of herbal tea a day is a recommended. Before adding herbal teas to your daily routine, it is very important to consult a specialist to predict the effects on your health. Excessive intake is harmful as it can cause liver damage, increased kidney workload, hypotension and heart palpitations. Therefore, it should be consumed with caution.
What should be considered when drinking herbal teas?
Herbal teas support fluid intake but do not replace the water we should drink. Since they support the removal of edema from the body, it is necessary to increase our water consumption while drinking herbal tea.
People with chronic diseases should not drink herbal teas without consulting a specialist.
Since herbal teas are made from dried plants, storage conditions are important. They should be stored in dark, light-proof containers if possible.
Pregnant and breastfeeding people should not consume herbal teas unconsciously and should consult a physician or pharmacist.
The benefits of herbal teas can turn into harm if overdosed. Therefore, you should not consume more than 2-3 cups a day.
Uncontrolled consumption of herbal tea causes an increase in the liver enzymes.
The active components of the plant should remain stable in hot water, meaning they should not degrade into ineffective compounds.
Herbal teas should be freshly prepared and consumed, as the solubility and stability of some active components may change over time, reducing their effectiveness.
Who can consume herbal teas?
It is not recommended for individuals who are taking essential medications, pregnant or breastfeeding, or have chronic conditions related to blood pressure, kidneys, or the heart. If consumed, herbal teas should be taken under the guidance of a specialist. In addition, healthy individuals are also recommended to consume it in consultation with a doctor or pharmacist, taking into account their age.
What is the shelf life of herbal teas?
Dried plants have a shelf life of up to 2 years.
How should herbal teas be stored?
Herbal teas should be stored inside airtight opaque boxes in cool and dry places far away from sunlight. Excessive heat and strong odors can spoil the tea, so it should be kept away from overly intense odors. In the right storage conditions, teas retain their quality for several months.
What is the place of herbal teas in medicine?
Herbal teas contain active ingredients that have therapeutic effects in eliminating the complaints specified as daily discomforts, and can be used as preventive, initiative or supportive treatment.
Can herbal tea be made from every plant?
No, tea cannot be made from every plant. They should be prepared from reliable plants that are consumable and have been studied previously for safety.
Are herbal teas only prepared from dried plants?
Fresh herbal teas may not have the desired effects. This is because the effective components are usually contained inside the plant cells and only when the plant is dried, the effective components are able to release into the water by breaking down the cell walls; however, some of the fragrant plants such as mint (Lamiaceae family plants) easily break down and disperse in the hot water and the volatile active components contained in the hairs located on the leaf surface release to the surrounding water.
Is sugar added to herbal teas?
In general, it is not recommended to add sugar to herbal teas if they are used for therapeutic purposes.
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