Discover the history of herbal tea and the reasons why it’s still popular today. Find out more about specific benefits and blends.
Legend says that the very first cup of tea was drunk in 2737 BC by the Chinese emperor Shen Nong. Did the earliest civilisations understand the full benefits of herbal tea? Not yet, but these few sips started something powerful that has continued ever since.
These days, you can so many varieties of tea with a range of ingredients to support important functions in your body!
Join us as we take a closer look at the history of herbal tea. We’ll go right through to exploring the role they play in modern society and consider specific benefits. Grab a cup and let’s dive in.
History of tea across the world
The story goes that Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting under a tree when some leaves blew into the hot water he was drinking. The leaves changed the water’s colour which led him to realise that the leaves had imparted nutrients into it. Here, he had accidentally discovered (or invented) the classic breakfast tea drink we all know and love.
Across the world, people had already been using herbs to treat various problems in the body. However, following this infusion, there became a more concentrated effort throughout China to experiment with different tea leaves, herbs, and spices to create unique blends with various flavours and health benefits.
Research shows that tea eventually made its way over to Europe in the late 1600s as Colonial Powers traded through regions like India, China, and Africa. It then quickly became a popular drink in coffee houses and private homes.
In the 1970’s the tea bag was invented, giving tea drinkers a much easier way to consume their favourite hot beverages… But that wasn’t the last development in the industry.
One particular event was shown to really boost demand for herbal tea… and that was the COVID-19 pandemic. As people became increasingly aware of the importance of boosting the immune system, supporting biological functions, and generally feeling well and energetic, wellness teas grew in popularity. We explore the benefits they hold in more detail in the next section…
The benefits of herbal tea in modern society
So why is herbal tea still such a beloved part of societies across the world? And how do different blends support us in our modern lives? In this section, we answer those questions by looking at some of the herbal teas our customers drink every day.
Herbal teas can:
- Boost joint mobility and bone health through ingredients such as rose hip and nettle.
- Aid the digestive system. Teas can flush out impurities and fatty foods that are stuck in the body.
- Support the immune system. Some of the powerful ingredients which are proven to do so are liquorice, astragalus and ginger.
- Help the kidneys and liver function properly. They can also help you get over urinary tract infections.
- Keep cholesterol levels down. NutraLipid is a great example of this, including garlic which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.
- Regulate blood sugar levels. They do this through ingredients such as fenugreek and cinnamon.
- Help you lose weight and supports the thyroid. This allows you to regulate your hormones and your metabolism.
- Support the mind. Herbal teas can help you focus as well as provide calm and rejuvenation.
- Help mothers through pregnancy and breastfeeding. For example, you can find ingredients to support the creation of breastmilk.
- Boost your vision. They do this by including nutrients which support blood flow to the eye and maintain the function of the retina.
Introducing NutraTea
We may not have been there at the beginning of the history of herbal tea, but we’re at the forefront now. Our tasty blends are designed to give people the exact nutrients they need to support their bodies and the same wonderful drinking experience that people have been enjoying for centuries.
Browse our range to find your next favourite!