If you’re interested in drinking herbal teas for your health, look no further.
There are many Greek herbal teas with a variety of health benefits that you may want to consider adding to your repertoire. Read on to learn more about our favorites.
1. Sage for brain health
Sage is a leafy herb with an earthy and peppery aroma. In ancient Greece, it was used to fight off illnesses and reduce inflammation. However, studies now show that sage can be beneficial as a brain booster.
Initial research shows that sage may help reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, improve your mood and mental health and support memory and learning given the bioactive ingredients that it contains. You can read more about the research on sage and brain health in this article.
Simply add a couple of sage to boiling water, steep for a couple of minutes and enjoy the taste and the associated health benefits!
2. Mountain tea for immunity
Feeling a little under the weather and need a tea to sip on while you recover? Try some Greek mountain tea. It’s known to fight off mild illnesses.
Some research shows that it can fight off strains of bacteria, but more research is needed to see its efficacy on other severe illnesses. Learn more about Greek mountain tea’s immunity benefits here.
3. Lemon verbena for recovery
Although often popularized for use in skincare, did you know that you can drink lemon verbena tea to help you recover from your workouts and help you sleep better?
An earthy herb with lemon tones, lemon verbena (“Louiza” in Greek) makes for a great tea after an exhausting workout or in the evening while you rest and relax.
4. Pennyroyal mint for digestion
This plant is native to Greece and has a spearmint smell and taste when brewed as tea. It was used throughout history for women who wanted to abort their pregnancy but could also help relieve basic illnesses.
Be sure to check with your physician before taking oral pennyroyal mint, as there isn’t sufficient evidence at this time to support its safe use.
5. Oregano for high antioxidant activity
Oregano isn’t only well-suited for cooking. It has significantly high antioxidant content that lends itself to many health benefits, even in a tea format. In fact, its antioxidant content is higher than many popular fruits! [1 and 2]
We hear a lot about antioxidants and it’s easy to see why. As we age, we accumulate oxidative damage from harmful substances called free radicals. Antioxidants can help reduce this effect and prevent your risk for chronic diseases over time.
You can enjoy oregano tea by either adding fresh or dried oregano to hot water or some oregano teas come in teabags for added convenience as well.
6. Thyme to relieve pain
Thyme is another fabulous herbal tea choice. Thyme can help alleviate pain inside and out. A thymol-ivy combination oil was shown to help reduce coughing in people with bronchitis. [3] And, since it contains thymol, it can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the body. [4]
The bottom line
No matter which one of these Greek herbal teas you choose, there are plenty of them to incorporate into a healthy diet today.
References
- Lagouri V, Boskou D. Nutrient antioxidants in oregano. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 1996 Nov;47(6):493-7.
- Antioxidant Activity of Spices and Their Impact on Human Health: A Review (nih.gov)
- Kemmerich B, Eberhardt R, Stammer H. Efficacy and tolerability of a fluid extract combination of thyme herb and ivy leaves and matched placebo in adults suffering from acute bronchitis with productive cough. A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung. 2006;56(9):652-60.
- de Sousa DP. Analgesic-like activity of essential oils constituents. Molecules. 2011 Mar 7;16(3):2233-52.
About the author
Chrissy Arsenault, MBA, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and licensed dietitian based in Indianapolis. She obtained her bachelor of science in nutritional science at Cornell University and her MBA at Indiana University Kelley School of Business. She is the founder and CEO of a nutrition communications firm called Pink Pamplemousse LLC, where she creates engaging nutrition and wellness content for clients. She has also coached clients on various health conditions including heart disease, obesity, digestive issues and diabetes over the last seven years. Visit Chrissy’s website.
