Tisanes are herbal infusions made from any plant other than the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (1). The Health Benefits of Tisanes have been utilised in ancient forms of healing for thousands of years. Ayurvedic, Egyptian and Chinese medicine’s use of herbs can be traced back at least 5,000 years. Hippocrates laid the foundation of modern Western medicine 2,400 years ago utilising a diverse range of herbs for physical and mental health (2, 3, 4, & 5).
There is presently a growing surge throughout the West to return to nature’s wisdom and healing. Tisanes (and herbs in all their forms), whether mixed for your individual needs by a herbalist, picked from your home-grown herb garden, or bought from your local health food store, are becoming more mainstream by the day.
The health benefits of Tisanes can be general such as:
- calming and de-stressing the mind and body
- increasing energy, and
- promoting overall wellness
Or they can be specific such as:
- detoxing
- aiding with digestive ailments
- treating allergies
- eliminating sleep problems
- reducing fevers, or
- balancing hormonal disorders
On top of the Health Benefits of Tisanes, there is the added bonus of flavour diversity. Flavours range from fruity such as berries or hibiscus; minty like peppermint or spearmint; flowery like chamomile or chrysanthemum; to spicy such as chai or cinnamon; and bitter such as dandelion and milk thistle.
A few tisanes that are readily available, and worth having on hand at home, include:
Dandelion ~ detoxifies the body as a whole, but in particular it flushes toxins from the liver. Worth noting about dandelion, is that when roasted, it has a coffee like taste, making it a perfect substitute for people wishing to cut down on their caffeine intake.
Valerian ~ has a calming effect on the central nervous system. It is an excellent sleeping aid, not just in terms of getting to sleep, but also in terms of waking up feeling more refreshed.
Passionflower ~ is a gentle sedative and helps to reduce stress, anxiety and insomnia. It too is a wonderful sleepy time tisane and mixes perfectly with valerian to aid sleep quantity and quality.
Fennel ~ is brilliant for both digestion and soothing upper respiratory problems.
Echinacea ~ is a natural antibiotic. It boosts the immune system, helps treat colds, congestion and the flu, and fights various types of infections (including skin and urinary tract infection).
Rosehip ~ is a rich source of vitamin C. It is a superb tisane for the overall immune system, as well as skin and tissue health, and adrenal function.
Please note: I do not offer the above as instruction, only as information. Tisanes can be potent. Always check with your herbalist or health practitioner before you start taking herbs as tisanes or in any other form.
Also note: if you are pregnant, you should not drink herbal tea without your doctor’s consent, as some herbs can stimulate uterine contractions.
As you can see, the Health Benefits of Tisanes are many. They are a simple, yet powerful addition to living a balanced and energised life. So drink up, live long, and be merry. ~ GreenWitch Tea
The physician treats, but nature heals. ~ Hippocrates
(1) Tisanes (2) Ayurvedic Medicine (3) Chinese Medicine
(4) Egyptian Medicine (5) Greek Medicine
