An , '''tisane''', or '''ptisan''' is an Herb al Infusion not made from the leaves of the Tea bush ('' Camellia Sinensis ''). (Varieties of "real" tea include black, oolong, green, yellow, and white tea.) Tisanes can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove. The tisane is then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served.
Varieties of herbal tea include:
- Anise tea, made from either the seeds or the leaves.
- Roasted Barley , known in Japanese as '' Mugicha '' and Korean as ''bori cha''. The roasted flavor can be reminiscent of coffee (without coffee's bitterness and caffeine). It is often drunk cold in the summer.
- Bissap , consumed in the Sahel .
- Catnip tea is used as a Relaxant , Sedative , and to calm.
- Chamomile tea is used as a Sedative . In Beatrix Potter 's '' The Tale Of Peter Rabbit '', Peter's mother gives him chamomile tea.
- Chrysanthemum Tea , made from dried flowers, is popular with Chinese Dim Sum .
- Citrus peel, including Bergamot , Lemon and Orange peel.
- Roasted Corn , known in Korea as '' Oksusu Cha '' (옥수수차)
- Echinacea tea, often drunk as to prevent or alleviate the Cold or Flu symptoms.
- Essiac Tea , a blended Native American herbal tea.
- Fennel
- Ginger Root
- Hibiscus (often blended with Rose Hip ), a popular tea alternative in the Middle East and is drunk hot or cold. Hibiscus tea is also consumed in Okinawa, where the natives associate Hibiscus tea with longevity.
- Honeybush is related to Rooibos and grows in a similar area of South Africa , but tastes slightly sweeter.
- Gentian
- Horehound
- Kava root, from the South Pacific, is popular for its effects in promoting talkativeness and relaxation.
- Labrador Tea , made from the shrub Labrador Tea , found in the northern part of North America.
- Lapacho (also known as ''Taheebo'') is the inner-lining of the bark (or cambium) of the Red or Purple Lapacho Tree which grows in the Brazil ian jungles. It is boiled to make an infusion with many and varied health benefits.
- Lemon Grass
- Licorice root
- Lime Blossom , dried flowers of Lime Tree (''Tilia'' in Latin ).
- Lotus flower, from the Stamen s of '' Nelumbo Nucifera ''.
- ''Mate de coca'' (sometimes called "coca tea"), made from Coca leaves. Authentic ''mate de coca'' contains very small amounts of Cocaine and similar alkaloids. In some countries where coca is illegal, products marketed as "coca tea" are supposed to be ''decocainized'', i.e., the pharmacologically active components have been removed.
- Mint , especially Peppermint (also mixed with green tea to make mint tea)
- European Mistletoe (Viscum Album), (steep in cold water for 2-6 hours)
- Nettle leaf
- Red Raspberry leaf
- Toasted Rice , known as '' Sungnyung '' in Korea (숭늉)
- Rooibos (Red Bush) is a reddish plant used to make an infusion and grown in South Africa . In the US it is sometimes called red tea. It has many of the Antioxidant benefits of Green Tea , but because it does not come from tea leaves, it has no Caffeine .
- Rose Hip (often blended with Hibiscus )
- Sage
- Sassafras
- Skullcap
- Thyme
- Tulsi
- Vetiver
- Roasted Wheat is used in Postum , a coffee substitute.
- Wong Logat a medicinal tea with several herbs
- Woodruff
- Yarrow
- Yerba Mate (or ''hierba mate'') is a shrub grown mainly Argentina , Uruguay and Brazil from which a caffeinated, tea-like brew is prepared.
- Yuen Kut Lam Kam Wo Tea Composed of thirty Chinese herbs, made in Hong Kong .
Many companies produce herbal Tea Bag s for such infusions.
Many blends of Real Tea are prepared by adding other plants; for example, the popular Earl Grey Tea is black tea infused with Bergamot . Such preparations are considered varieties of tea as opposed to herbal teas.
Herbal teas are often drunk for their physical or medicinal effects, especially for their Stimulant , Relaxant or Sedative properties. The medicinal effects of certain herbs is discussed under Herbalism . The medicinal benefits of specific herbs are often anecdotal or controversial, and in the United States and elsewhere, makers of herbal teas are not allowed to make unsubstantiated claims about the medicinal effects of their products.
While most herbal teas are safe for regular consumption, some herbs have Toxic or Allergenic effects. Among the greatest causes of concern are:
Any herbal tea with unknown effects should be taken in moderation.
Inexperienced use of wild herbs in herbal tea should be avoided. Poisonous plants can be similar to common herbs, for example, certain deadly Nightshade leaves look like Comfrey leaves.
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