Tea for the soul...

Looking for easy ways to boost your health and feel fab? Drinking herbal tea is a great way to do it. But how much is too much of a good thing? If you're worried and want to know how many herbal teas you can drink safely in a day, keep reading ...

More and more people are turning to herbal teas because they're such a delicious and easy way to tap into the health benefits of herbs.

They're great for all sorts of things from calming your nerves and relaxing your muscles to providing clarity and helping to invigorate you so that you can perform better in your life.

They can also help with a range of physical ailments within the body, like helping to boost circulation, lowering bad cholesterol and even reducing menstrual cramps and muscle spasms.

No wonder people are drinking up all the goodness! But is there a limit? Are there side effects? Let's take a closer look and see.

How much herbal tea should you drink a day?

How much you personally are able to drink will depend on your own health and individual circumstances. If you have a health condition or you're pregnant you may need to be more careful which herbs you choose to infuse into your tea blends.

Also, everybody is unique, which means we all react differently to different things. Valerian, for example, is known for its sedative properties, but studies have shown that while it can make some people feel relaxed and drowsy, it can have the complete opposite effect on other people, increasing restlessness and agitation. (Now that's tea for thought!)

How much herbal tea you can drink may depend on what kinds of herbal teas you drink.

Here are some general guidelines:

Safe Herbal Teas to Drink in Large Amounts

Peppermint tea
Rooibos tea
Chamomile tea
Lavender tea

Herbal Teas to Drink in Moderation

Black tea
Green tea
Hibiscus tea
Licorice root tea

If you want to experiment with different types of herbal teas it's always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional for advice if you're thinking of adding new herbal teas to your diet – especially if you have a health condition or you're pregnant.

Is herbal tea good for hydration?

Everybody knows that it's important to drink plenty of water throughout the day (around 8 glasses) but it's easy to forget that the different foods and drinks we consume also contribute to our daily water intake – and that includes herbal tea.

Herbal tea is very good for hydration, but it shouldn't be considered as a substitute for water, or as the sole source of hydration.

If you're worried that non-herbal teas like black tea might be dehydrating due to the caffeine content, don't be. While it's true that tea may affect your hydration, it's only likely to have a negative impact if you're drinking an excessive amount.

It's useful to be aware of the fact that caffeine is a compound with diuretic properties – Healthline says, 'This can cause you to urinate more frequently when drinking tea, potentially affecting your hydration.'

They also say, 'To have a significant diuretic effect, caffeine needs to be consumed in amounts greater than 500 mg — or the equivalent of 6–13 cups (1,440–3,120 ml) of tea'

And, 'Researchers report that when consumed in moderate amounts, caffeinated drinks — including tea — are as hydrating as water.' They add that studies show, 'even in cases where tea does increase urine production, it doesn’t cause you to lose more fluids than you originally drank.'

If you're only interested in drinking herbal teas you don't have to worry about this though, as herbal teas are generally caffeine-free.

Although, some hybrid herbal tea mixes do contain caffeine, so take a look at the ingredients if you're concerned about consuming caffeine, especially at night when it might disturb your sleep.

What are the health benefits of drinking herbal tea?

The health benefits of herbal teas are vast, and depend greatly on which herbs you choose to drink.

There are so many individual varieties of herbs, and when mixed together the health benefits of herbal teas can be boosted.

Here are some well-known herbs you've probably heard of, and their health benefits:

Peppermint Tea

This refreshing herb can freshen your breath, but it's good for so much more than that! It is known for its unmistakable flavour and turned to for its medicinal properties ...

its good for indigestion and bloating, relieving upset stomachs and gas
its menthol vapours help to clear nasal congestion
it may be able to soothe headaches, helping to ease tension when inhaling the aromas
it reduces stress and anxiety
use it as a home remedy for menstrual cramps

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is known as the calming tea, and a go-to when feeling stressed or wanting to wind down in the evening before bed.

it promotes relaxation, making you feel calm and soothed
it helps to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression
it helps to lower blood sugar and can be a supplement to aid treatment for diabetes
it reduces inflammation
it's good for period pains
it is linked with cancer treatment and prevention

Ginger Tea

Spicy ginger tea is a firm favourite for anyone who likes their tea to have a bit of a kick! Ginger also packs a punch when it comes to health benefits ...

Aids digestion helping to calm an unsettled tummy
ginger is known for helping with travel sickness, morning sickness in pregnant women and even helping during chemotherapy by reducing nausea and vomiting
it can help to ease menstrual cramps and muscle soreness
it helps to manage blood pressure and support heart health
it may help to manage weight and blood sugar levels

Can herbal tea be harmful?

Generally speaking, most herbal teas are known to be safe for most people to drink – although, side effects do exist and they can affect you negatively if you drink herbal tea to excess.

Likewise, drinking herbal teas without consulting your healthcare advisor can be risky if you're pregnant or if you live with a health condition.

For example, pregnant women should avoid peppermint tea as it can induce contractions, and some herbal teas may exacerbate symptoms for people with kidney disease.

Bearing all of these things in mind, do your research, and then go ahead and enjoy a cup of your favourite herbal tea today, and take comfort in knowing you are nourishing your body and soul!

Ready to start your tea journey?

Why not subscribe to a tea box? The Wild Women Tea Club do a wonderful range of tea boxes that target different areas of health and wellbeing.

Here are the ones they currently offer:

Menopause
Happiness
Period
Pregnancy
Mum & Baby
Cleansing
Sleep
Immune

Don't forget to claim your 10% off with our coupon code: TEAFORTHESOUL

1. Create a sacred space

Take some time to set up a dedicated space in your home where you can prepare and enjoy your tea mindfully.

This could be a cozy corner in your living room or a small table in your kitchen. Make it a place that feels calm and peaceful, with minimal distractions.

2. Choose the right tea

For the full benefits make sure you go for a high-quality loose-leaf tea that you genuinely enjoy. You can experiment with different types of tea to find one that speaks to you.

Some teas, like green tea or herbal tea, are known for their calming properties and are great choices for mindfulness practice.

3. Brew your tea mindfully

Mindfulness is all about being in the moment, so make sure that you're attentive to every step. Use a timer so that your tea doesn't steep for too long, and try not to be impatient as you wait for the tea to steep.

Instead, take deep meditative breaths and focus on the aroma of the drink you're looking forward to enjoying.

4. Engage your senses

Take a moment to appreciate your beautiful cup of tea before you drink it. Observe the colour of the liquid, take in the aromatic scents, and then savour the flavour of the tea.

Don't forget to pay attention to the physical sensations you experience in your body as it goes down. Feel the warmth moving down your body and your muscles relaxing.

5. Mindful Tea Meditation

As you drink your tea, try not to let your mind wander, and if it does, bring your thoughts gently back and focus on the present moment.

Observing the sensations of drinking your tea can help you to stay mindful. Notice other physical sensations in your body and be aware of your breathing.

6. Integrating Tea and Mindfulness into Daily Life

You can use tea to help you be more mindful throughout the day ...

Taking mindful tea breaks at work are a great way to ground yourself and go back to your desk feeling refreshed and focused.

Brewing a cup of tea before bed to wind down is important too. Don't forget to choose one that doesn't contain caffeine, though.

And start every morning with a cup of tea and a few minutes of mindfulness practice to clear your head from clutter.

Now that you know how to incorporate a mindful tea routine into your everyday life, you'll be well on your way to reducing stress and feeling better all round.

You can enjoy your sacred space with a cup of tea whenever you need to relax and banish imposing thoughts, and you can use tea as your safe space throughout your working day too.

Feeling inspired?

Head over to Twinings Teashop and browse their delicious 'Wellbeing Drinks' collection.

Discover their 'Soulful Blends' ...

Or discover a Tea box subscription that's designed specially with your health needs in mind!

The Wild Women Tea Club has a gorgeous 'Mindfulness Box' for you to explore and enjoy ...

How many herbal teas can I drink in a day?