For tea enthusiasts, there’s nothing better than a steaming cup of tea. It helps them relax, unwind, and is almost therapeutic. Over the past couple of years, herbal teas have soared in popularity and have infiltrated the market.

And while an outsider may consider all teas to be on the same scale, tea enthusiasts have solid opinions about tea. Avid tea drinkers go as far as rejecting the premise that herbal tea is actually ‘tea.’ 

In this blog, we go into all the differences between herbal teas and regular tea, including which one is the better choice.

Regular Tea

Regular tea, also known as real tea, comes from a plant called Camellia Sinensis. It has four varieties—black, green, white, and oolong. But despite the lack of range, regular tea has managed to reign supreme across the world. This supremacy comes from its strong taste and health benefits.

A cup of steaming regular tea

Benefits of regular tea

Most of tea’s health benefits are attributed to the antioxidants it contains. These antioxidants are cancer-fighting compounds that can protect the body against common cancers. It also is said to reduce a person’s risk of contracting heart diseases. While there are no definitive conclusions about these benefits, it is a popular hypothesis.

Tea consumption is also associated with reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Green tea is known for its ability to burn fat, which results in higher muscle endurance during exercise. It also flushes out toxins from the body, making it healthy to consume. Scientists also claim that it can help patients of Type 2 Diabetes process sugar better.

That isn’t all, either. Studies indicate that the polyphenols in tea help maintain the areas of the brain that are responsible for learning and memory.

Even with all these benefits, you can’t go overboard with your tea. While the studies are positive, they aren’t definitive. There can also be side effects depending on how your tea was processed.

Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is made from flowers, fruit, leaves, roots, or seeds. These parts are steeped in boiling water for a few minutes and are then strained. It is available in two forms: leaves and tea bags. As they aren’t derived from the tea plant, people reject the idea that herbal tea is ‘tea.’

A cup of steaming herbal tea on a table outdoors

Benefits

Since they can be made from several different flowers and herbs, there is a variety of flavours available. Herbal teas help keep you hydrated, and they also help with digestion if you’re feeling bloated after a particularly hearty meal.

Unlike tea, they don’t contain caffeine. Rather than keeping you alert and awake, these teas have a soothing effect and can help you relax and fall asleep. Lavender teas, specifically, serve to soothe the body and reduce anxiety and stress.  

Some teas like hibiscus help lower blood pressure, while others like ginger and turmeric help reduce inflammation.

Which one is better?

Herbal or regular rea? Which one should you go for? Both have their benefits. It’s up to you to decide which one you think you need at any given moment. If you’re looking for herbal tea in Australia, we’ve got an incredible range at affordable prices. Parsa Global Import is Australia’s trusted and most reliable herbal tea online store, which will bring you products right at your doorstep. Place your orders today.