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Tea has been brewed and consumed for thousands of years. Legend suggests tea was invented accidentally in 2737 B.C. when Chinese Emperor Shen-Neng unknowingly boiled tea leaves in his water. Not wanting to waste the water, he drank the tea and shared his new invention with his countrymen.
Herbal tea has also been around for a long time. It gained prominence in America during the time of the Boston Tea Party. With tea imports from Britain banned, citizens turned to brewing native plants as replacements. -
True teas come from the leaves of the "Camellia sinesis" plant (also known as the tea tree plant). The plant is an evergreen type shrub that naturally contains caffeine. Black, green, white and oolong teas are all made from the leaves of this plant. These are the only true teas, and their differences come from the way the leaves are processed.
Herbal teas do not come from the Camellia sinesis plant and are not really tea at all. Herbal teas, also known as tisane, are infusions of different botanicals, such as non-tea tree leaves, roots, berries, fruits and seeds, with hot water. Since the plants used in making herbal tea do not contain caffeine, herbal teas are naturally caffeine free. - There many types of herbal teas. Popular varieties include mint, chamomile, ginger, red rooibos and lemongrass. There are also many varieties of fruit-flavored herbal teas. Some true teas are infused with these same herbs, spices and fruits to change their flavor. Some of these include Earl Grey, English Breakfast and chai. This teas still contain caffeine. If caffeine needs to be avoided, it is important to check the box to make sure the tea is herbal and not a flavored true tea.
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Though nearly all types of herbal tea are naturally caffeine free, there are a couple of exceptions.
Guarana tea is an herbal infusion made from the berries of the South American guarana plant. Guarana berries contain guaranine, which has a nearly identical chemical makeup to caffeine. Along with tea, guarana extract is commonly used in energy drinks and carries a warning that it should not be consumed by people who are sensitive to caffeine.
Yerba mate' tea comes from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, which is found in South America. The leaves of the plant contain mateine, which is similar to caffeine. There is some debate as to whether mateine is truly a form of caffeine. - In addition to herbal tea being a good alternative for those who are sensitive to caffeine, herbal tea can be helpful for calming and relaxation. While there is currently no concrete medical evidence to show herbal teas have any health benefits, some herbal teas help certain symptoms. Peppermint has been known to help an upset stomach, while chamomile can help promote a more restful sleep.
