Read time: 3 minutes
“We did some digging. The world’s most consumed beverage—not counting water, which has no equal—is actually a dark horse, the kind you don’t suspect. It’s not coffee, as Brazilian kids learn at early age, nor Coca Cola, as I grew up hearing in America. It’s surprisingly not even beer.
It’s tea.”
– DANIEL STONE
Tea has been found in Asia for millennia. Tea and herbal infusions have made their way into the daily cultures of Tibet, India, Russia, Turkey, the UK and much of Europe. But just how old is it? In this post, you’ll learn a brief history of tea, the difference between tea and herbal infusions, and the role of medicinal herbal infusions in society from ancient times through today.
Where does tea originate?
A Chinese dictionary from the 3rd century BCE, records that an infusion of some kind of leaf was used as early as the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE). The legend of tea often features Chinese emperor and herbalist, Shennong drinking his daily evening cup of boiled water in which a stray Camellia sinensis leaf fell into in 2737 BCE. The stories say that he noticed the plant relieved his stomach pain from drinking another infusion of a plant with water. Seeing the positive effects, supposedly Shennong stayed under that tree drinking tea for the next seven years.
Are herbal infusions different than tea?
Medicinal herbal infusions are much older than the most popular infusion in the world, tea. Using plants as medicine is as old as mankind itself.
Across cultures, the oldest evidence of using medicinal plants as a drug was discovered on a Sumerian clay slab from Nagpur, approximately 5000 years old. Herbal medicines mentioned in the ancient Atharva Veda texts in 1500 BCE. The practices and methods listed in these traditional texts were often handed down orally for generations upon generations before they were ever recorded on paper.
In the spiritually based cultures of ancient South Asia, herbs were a part of the healing over 3500 years ago:
“In addition to the charms and amulets, and the herbs which were to be internally taken, water was considered to possess great medical and life-giving properties. There are many hymns which praise these qualities of water. The medicinal properties of herbs were often regarded as being due to water, which formed their essence.”
-- taken from the Practice of Medicine in Arthava-veda on Wisdom Library
Infusions - herbs steeped in hot water to drink, decoctions - herbs simmered in hot water, and macerations - herbs softened by a solvent have been the most common applications of medicinal herbs since the dawn of time. From the Middle Ages through the 16th-18th centuries, stronger applications of drugs were desired which increased the demand of compound pharmaceuticals consisting of medicinal plants, and other drugs of plant and animal matter.
Is it okay to drink herbal tea everyday?
Can you drink herbal tea every day? Definitely. Should you drink the same herbal tea everyday? Probably not. According to Harvard, dieticians recommend herbal teas in moderation with medical approval as they can pose some risks to individuals with certain health conditions.
According to the medical theory of Ayurveda, using herbal infusions can be part of a medical treatment prescribed by a doctor. We find the balance between daily drink and medicine to treat a specific concern by formulating targeted blends that are safe for regular consumption. An important part of Ayurvedic medicine is paying proper attention to the season and time of day when considering what to eat, what to drink and which medicine is appropriate. Minding the qualities and tastes of your herbal teas – warming, cooling, sweet, sour – is something to keep in mind.
What are the health benefits of herbal tea?
In modern culture, the demand for herbal tea is increasing as consumers are more conscious of the ingredients and chemicals found in their food and drinks. Herbal teas and infusions are a healthy, caffeine free brew that can be enjoyed, morning, midday and evening with a vast variety of flavors and functions. The herbal tea market size was valued at $3,314.5 Million USD in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 5,521.59 Million by 2030.
The health benefits of each tea vary due to their different ingredients and properties. There are formulas for nearly everything including:
- Sleep and nervous system health - these herbal infusion formulas support brain function, relax frayed nerves, tonify the central nervous system, rejuvenate the central nervous system, and may help to enhance tolerance to stress.
- For digestion there is a Soothing Digestion Tonic to support smooth and regular experiences. There are also digestive herbs in the Women’s Health Tonic and Lactation Tonic also.
- Kidney health is supported with a blend of cooling diuretic and anti inflammatory herbs. Liver health is better supported with this trifecta of detoxifying, blood supporting and purifying herbs.
- See the rest of our herbal infusion selections and their benefits in the shop!
In short…
Medicinal herbal infusions are one of the oldest types of medicine consumed by cultures around the world for thousands of years. While using common herbs and spices, when formulated properly, herbal tisanes can have strong effects. While safe enough to use daily, it's best to have medical direction when taking medicinal herbal infusions. Our herbal infusions are formulated by a traditional doctor to support the body and promote harmony.
Now that you know all about them, need to know how to make an herbal infusion? We’ve got a post all about that right here.
