Teas of various herbal blends have long been perceived as healthy exlixirs to fend off illness, and there is a growing body of scientific study to support a number of those claims.
The American Society for Clinical Nutrition reports that polyphenols—found in high concentrations in minimally processed teas—are beneficial for the prevention of degenerative diseases and cancers.
Green and white teas are the least processed, while black and Oolong teas have been fermented or oxidized, reducing the polyphenol content. However, both black and Oolong still contain high levels of beneficial antioxidants, according to WebMD.
Matcha tea is a ground up version of green tea which allows you to consume the highest concentration of polyphenols, including one in particular called Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
"That's great to fight free radicals, which is what gets us under the weather," said Kristina Richens with the Republic of Tea, regarding EGCG.
Other herbal combinations may also contain similar health benefits, including an herb grown in China called jiaogulan, sometimes referred to as Southern Ginseng.
"It's considered an herb of immortality," said Richens. "I think it's going to be another one of those super herbs you hear about."
Scientific study of jiaogulan has shown compounds in the herb called saponins may provide a number of health benefits, including cholesterol-lowering properties. The herb may also help people adapt to stress.
