Fruit teas/Herbal Teas - what ones are best for us?

[PavlovtheCat]

I am not going to stop drinking coffee as I love it, but I need to increase my water intake and have read that hot drinks are good for our digestive system etc. And it's cold so I don't want cold drinks like fruit juice right now.

So, what do you drink and why? What type, and what brands for maximum benefits.

I would like the following benefits:
to rehydrate (obviously by water intake!)
to improve skin tone and appearance (in particular dark circles around the eyes, is that possible?!)
to improve energy levels as I get tired very easily
to help sleep well
importantly - if possible - ones that have anti-inflammatory properties

Tall order?! Ready. Steady. GO!

And how? I have read that herbal infusions should be steeped while covered to keep their benefits from being lost in the hot steam. Is that true?

So, are there herbal tea pots? Special cups?

Weak Rooibos tea?

oh I really don't like rooibos. It smells funny.

I am not expecting all those things below from one type of tea, but happy to try various different types and blends etc, maybe one in the morning one in the afternoon etc. I will likely remain drinking two cups of strong fresh coffee before I get moving in the morning, but if I can reduce my afternoon drinking from caffeinated to herbal/fruit based drinks that have some great benefits, I will feel like I am achieving something good for myself.

This has been brought about by a week in London drinking too much coffee, and bad skin from that, the London tube blackstuff, and recent period which has messed my whole skin and hair up. I feel scraggly, my eyes feel saggy and I need to re-energise myself. But no point pretending I will drink bucket loads more water as I just won't.

I've tried cinnamon tea and really like it as it's nice and warming. The one I liked was made by Higher Living Teas. Tesco sometimes have it, if not you can get it online.

I have some cherry and cinnamon tea right now actually! I was wary because I don't normally like cinnamon but DH's theory was that I like mulled wine so can't too far off. He was right, it's quite like mulled wine but, does it have super duper healing/wellbeing properties? Does that actually matter? Hmm. I don't want to be faddy, and so if hot water in any form like this is ok then I will roll with that. I am not expecting miracles but it's about time I actually stopped sitting around moping about my bags and trying to find The Most Amazing Concealer Ever for my dark circles and pasty looking skin and took some control.

DH bought me camomile and I do like it, but it's too soothing and it's not helpful if I have things to do to feel all calm and sleepy like good for before bed though.

I did have some nettle tea, but went to make a cup and it's mouldy. I think it's been there since I was pg with DS (over 4 years go )

I just googled and it seems Dr Google says cinnamon has mild anti-inflammatory properties. So that's good. Although, not sure how much clipper tea would have in it. Would it even be enough to have any effect, if drunk say twice a day every day?

Mmmm cherry and cinnamon sounds delicious. Which brand is it?

I like Twinings Mint. I feel cleansed afterwards in a way water just can't do by itself.

Peppermint tea really helps with my IBS

Turmeric is supposed to be anti-inflammatory. A friend is always recommending that I mix it with honey and make it into a tea. Have never dared though, because it sounds vile!

If honey can make lemon and hot water taste nice, then I'm sure it can work with turmeric

Peppermint tea is good for digestion, as is fennel tea but it's a bit licourish tasting.
Camomile is good for relaxing you in the evening and helping you sleep. You can get lovely ones with apple/honey/vanilla in. valerian is better though, I have only ever seen blends, but it's real knockout stuff.

Now that spring is around the corner you will soon be able to put on your Marigolds and gather the new shoots - simmer them gently and strain and you have the ideal spring iron tonic. It does taste nice, honestly

There is a lovely spearmint and nettle detox tea that I like. Am also a fan of bedtime teas with cinnamon. Don't really like the fruity ones.

perking had said clipper, but I am wrong, it is Cherry and Cinnamon by Twinings. It is quite nice, but it's a bit drying on the mouth. Not sure if that's just me though

sherbert I am not a huge fan of overly fruity teas either. I like white tea. Green tea is nice if not steeped too long and with some honey in.

I am not sure I am brave enough to try turmeric! Maybe I should, with some honey and report back? I have a bad back which has some inflammatory issues going on as part of it and I would like to be less reliant on anti-inflammatory medicine and use more natural stuff to help. So maybe I will try it

oh I have heard of valerian but don't know much about it. I could do with that, as I struggle to sleep at night. Not going to sleep, but staying asleep.

I like the sound of peppermint and fennel. What brand is it?

Rooibos tea is an acquired taste and does have some good effects ...

There is also a slice of lemon and some honey in a glass of hot water in the morning ... Supposed to be good for digestion

Erm... I don't know... I don't think I have ever seen them tbh. But you could put the two different flavoured tea bags in the same pot and make you own blend, I suppose

Good thread timing! I'm looking into similar changes and have used this site in the past. Check out their wellness infusions There's a great selection of other flavoured teas too. Disclaimer: I've not actually tried them yet. But will put an order in soon.
I love green tea with jasmine and I had some incredible real Turkish mint tea at a friend's a while back.

Anything by Pukka. Night time is fab! I don't live in the UK and it is one of the few things people bring out to me.

I put two different tea bags in the same tea pot with some good results. I have a pick and mix box of Pukka teas, they are all good and seem to work well together.

I second Hot water and Lemon. It's always my first drink of the day.

We always keep boxes of peppermint, camomile and green tea in the house.

Anything by teapigs
Their fruit tea is lovely

Oh I have just bought some Pukka tea from amazon as I did the subscribe and save. I got the cleansing and revitalising ones!
Yey! I like the idea of two teabags together.