Winter brings shorter days and colder weather, and there is nothing quite like a warming cup of herbal tea. A comforting infusion is a simple seasonal pleasure. Here are a few things to know about hydration, herbal ingredients and the blends we particularly enjoy in winter.
Water is essential
Water plays a vital role throughout the body: it is part of the blood, lymph and the fluid surrounding cells. It carries water-soluble nutrients, supports circulation and temperature regulation, and helps the kidneys remove normal metabolic waste. The French source gives a rough daily intake of 2.5 litres from drinks and food combined, including around 1.5 litres of drinks. Individual needs vary with activity, climate, health and diet. A herbal infusion contributes to fluid intake while releasing flavourful compounds from the herbs and spices.
The pleasures and properties of herbal infusions and tea
Drinking enough fluid is important to wellbeing. Many people aim for around 1.5 litres of drinks per day, although requirements are not identical for everyone.
Herbal infusions are a pleasant way to hydrate. The French article contrasts them with sweetened drinks, alcohol and coffee, and discusses the traditional idea of “drainage” through the kidneys and liver. Those organs normally deal with metabolic waste; there is no evidence that drinking herbal tea removes unspecified toxins. Preparing an infusion with an appropriate amount of herb and covering the cup while it steeps helps capture its aroma, including some volatile compounds. Above all, tea and herbal infusions combine flavour, warmth and a simple moment of enjoyment.
When should I drink a herbal infusion?
The body continually loses water through urine, breathing and the skin, so drinking regularly throughout the day is generally sensible. Do not wait until you are very thirsty during strenuous exercise or hot weather. The source recommends drinking between meals and sometimes suggests two to four cups of herbal infusion, although there is no universal “therapeutic” number of cups. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of water in a short time. Also let very hot infusions cool: routinely drinking beverages at scalding temperatures is best avoided.
Should you sweeten herbal tea?
Modern diets can contain a lot of added sugar. To appreciate the natural flavour of herbs, try drinking your infusion without sugar. The French article suggests unrefined cane sugars — rapadura, muscovado and panela — or honey, maple syrup or agave syrup instead of white sugar. They may differ in flavour and contain small amounts of other constituents, but they are all sources of sugar, so moderation matters. You can also add a slice of fruit or a little cinnamon for natural flavour.
Our favourite winter infusions
There are so many possible combinations of herbs, spices and tea leaves. Here are a few comforting winter favourites, chosen for their flavours and traditional associations rather than as remedies against viruses.
- First, organic thyme : a classic winter herb with a powerful, aromatic fragrance. Thyme contains compounds such as thymol and has a long place in European herbal traditions. Enjoy it as a warming infusion; claims that it prevents flu or cures infections should not be assumed from its traditional use.
- An Ayurvedic masala chai blend brings together cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper, cardamom and pink peppercorns. These aromatic spices fill a cup with warming flavours. They contain plant compounds that have been investigated in laboratory studies, but a spiced infusion is primarily a delicious drink, not a substitute for medical care.
- Our organic Christmas black tea combines Assam black tea with cinnamon, orange, apple, cardamom and rose. The black tea brings body and depth, while the fruit and spices make it particularly festive. Tea contains flavonoids and caffeine; specific disease-prevention claims require stronger evidence than the mere presence of these compounds.
- The Oriental Delight herbal infusion is a delicate mixture of organic rooibos and orange, lifted by refreshing mint and the warmth of ginger. Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, with a smooth sweetness that pairs beautifully with citrus and spice. It also contains a variety of polyphenols, which are being studied for their biological properties.
Enjoy the winter, wrap up warmly and make yourself a lovely cup!
You can also read our articles about herbs and the immune system and herbal infusions and cholesterol.
Sources and further reading
- Ma bible des secrets d’herboriste — Michel Pierre and Caroline Gayet
- Tisanes médicinales de Chine et d’Europe pour la santé physique, émotionnelle et mentale — Li Wu and Jürgen Klitzner
- Le guide familial des aliments soigneurs — Dr Jean-Paul Curtay and Dr Rose Razafimbelo
- Le petit Larousse des plantes qui guérissent — François Couplan and Gérard Debuigne