There’s so much to love about tea. It’s delicious, cozy, and perfect for when you need to stay warm during the colder months—and we haven’t even touched on the health side of things yet! This hot beverage boasts a wide array of health benefits, both mental and physical. Whether you’re looking to de-stress or keep inflammation at bay, there’s so much to gain by regularly drinking herbal teas. In fact, there are a few types health experts swear by when it comes to these issues.
To learn about some of the best herbal teas women over 40 can drink every day to fight stress and inflammation, we spoke to certified holistic health coach Ashley Carlotta from Better Health By Accountability. She told us that green tea, turmeric tea, and ginger tea are among the best options.
1. Green Tea
When it comes to healthy beverages, few compare to antioxidant-packed green tea. Carlotta tells us that this tea is filled with inflammation-fighting compounds. "Regularly drinking green tea can assist you in losing weight and reduce your risk of several diseases including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes," she says. Wow! Additionally, Carlotta points out that "the green tea amino acid, L-theanine (L-THE), has several health benefits including improvements in mood and a reduction of anxiety and stress." The benefits don't stop there, though. This hot beverage can even help regulate glucose levels, boost your metabolism, and improve mental clarity.
If you're looking to reap the most benefits (and flavor) possible from green tea, Carlotta says that loose-leaf is likely the best way to go. "Loose-leaf teas have more nutrients and are going to have a better flavor and aroma than any standard tea bag," she explains. Matcha, a powdered version, is another great option that can really pack in the antioxidants.
2. Turmeric Tea
Next up on Carlotta's list of inflammation and stress-fighting teas is turmeric tea. "The bioactive compound found in this pretty bright orange tea is called Curcumin," she tells us, noting that this compound "is linked to boosting dopamine and serotonin numbers." Nice! In fact, Carlotta says that drinking turmeric tea daily could lead to lower depression and anxiety numbers. "Be consistent for about 4 weeks to start seeing improvement," she instructs.
This tea offers a few other health benefits too. Carlotta says it has been used to treat arthritis symptoms, and it may even work to boost your metabolic rate so you can burn calories faster. "Turmeric prevents toxins and alcohol from turning into compounds that can be harmful for the liver," she goes on. "This tea can also significantly lower your cholesterol." Wow! We're adding turmeric tea to our grocery list ASAP.
3. Ginger tea
Ginger tea is one more fantastic beverage for anyone looking to kick inflammation and stress to the curb, thanks to its active ingredients: gingerol, shogaol, and paradol. "The spicy ginger root is amazing for your health and it’s completely natural," Carlotta raves, urging readers to "drink ginger to sharpen your brain and beat stress" and noting that "it will even reduce muscle pain after extreme workouts and physical activity." Perfect!
As far as the best time to drink ginger tea, she suggests starting your morning with a cup. "It's a good way to end your body's fast from sleeping and charges up your metabolism," she explains, telling us that it can even help soothe nausea, menstrual discomfort, and indigestion.
Overall, drinking herbal tea can be a fantastic addition to your daily wellness routine. These drinks offer a whole range of health benefits, and the three listed above are especially beneficial when it comes to de-stressing and fighting inflammation. Take your pick—they're all delicious!
