Sri Lanka has a long history with traditional Ayurveda medicine, whereas the healing power of herbs is often appreciated to maintain positive health. Most Ayurveda practitioners recommend herbal teas to their patients, as each beverage delivers different health benefits. Each medicinal plant possesses unique medicinal values and they give different therapeutic effects. Therefore, drinking herbal tea helps to cure particular ailments, and also it helps to improve your personal wellbeing.
By the way, herbal tea is different from your usual cup of tea. Even though it contains the term” Tea”, herbal tea is not tea at all. They are free from caffeine. Mostly, it is an infusion or a blend of various leaves, flowers, fruits, or barks of medicinal plants. The therapeutic benefits of these teas can vary from each other based on the herbs. Particularly, herbal teas are one such beverage that is widely used in wellness tourism in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankans drink many kinds of herbal teas, while most herbs grow in home gardens on the island. Here we are going to show you the health benefits of herbal teas in Sri Lanka.
1. Ranawara Tea
Ranawara is a medicinal plant that is common in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Its botanical name is Senna auriculata. Ranawara flowers use to make herbal tea and consume for various health benefits. This is a quite popular herbal tea in Sri Lanka that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Ranawara tea helps the body to hydrate. It naturally detoxifies the body while promoting blood circulation. It is a famous hot beverage among diabetes patients since it helps to control sugar levels inside the body. Drinking Ranawara Tea can also promote healthy skin. Anyone suffering from body odor and body heat can seek help from Ranawara Tea.
2. Iramusu Tea
Iramusu or Hemidesmus Indicus is a popular herbal plant that grows in most parts of Sri Lanka. Its healing power uses to treat various illnesses and ailments. Its roots contain Hemidesmus smilasperic acid. Iramusu tea is a medicinal drink evolving from the past. Drinking iramusu tea helps the body to cool itself. Therefore, it uses to treat various health conditions that occur due to body heat.
Its taste is bitter and sweet at the same time. Iramusu tea helps to purify the blood and detoxify the body. It develops a cleaner system and helps to improve body complexion by cooling the body, Therefore, anyone suffering from ulcers, skin conditions, urinary diseases, or headaches, can enjoy the benefits of iramusu tea.
3. Gotukola Tea
Gotukola or Centella asiatica is a popular herb renowned for its culinary flavor. It is one of the healthiest teas in Sri Lanka. Most importantly, Gotu Kola calls as the “herb of longevity”, due to its high therapeutic values. Sri Lankans use it to make the delicious side dish Gotukola Sambol.
Gotukola Tea manufactures from naturally grown Gotukola herbs. Modern processing technology uses to preserve the medicinal properties and the unique flavor of Gotukola. The herbal tea prepares by boiling Gotukola with water. The softness of its leaves makes it easy to brew.
It has many therapeutic effects and quite beneficial effects on health. Intake of this herbal tea enhances mental alertness and memory. Therefore, Gotukola tea is a particularly perfect drink for students and academics. As well it can reduce stress, and fatigue and promote restful sleep. Moreover, Gotukoa tea promotes physical and mental wellbeing and youthfulness.
4. Ginger – Corriander Tea
Ginger – Corriander combination does a great job as herbal tea. It is one of the most widely used herbs to treat colds and flu. Just like these spices help to enhance the taste of many recipes, it gives a good taste and has a special therapeutic value as herbal tea. Ginger coriander tea contains unique compounds that give health benefits.
Gingerol, zingiberene, and zingerone are some of the compounds contained in ginger. Linalool and geranyl are two powerful antioxidants in Coriander seeds. Since these essential oils help the production of digestive enzymes, this herbal tea is good for anyone suffering from bloating, nausea, and indigestion. Moreover, drinking Ginger coriander tea can strengthen your immunity against cold and flu conditions.
5. Pol Pala Tea
Pol Pala, also known by its scientific name Aerva lanata is another famous herb in Sri Lankan home gardens. This traditional herb used throughout history for its health benefits. Pol Pala is mostly available at marketplaces in its dehydrated form.
In Ayurveda medicine, pol pala is appreciated for its diuretic properties. It is highly beneficial for the health of the bladder and kidneys. Drinking pol pala tea can help to avoid the formation of kidney stones. It also gives instant relief for urinary diseases.
6. Bael Flower Tea
The bael flower tree, also known as the Aegle marmelos or “Golden Apple Tree” is a medicinal plant. Its flowers used to make bael flower tea. This herbal tea has served good health for generations. The herbal tea prepares by boiling sun-dried bael flowers in water.
Mostly known as “Belimal”, the Bael flower tea is quite popular in Sri Lanka. The longer the tea is boiled, the better it tastes. The brew also becomes stronger in color. Usually, no sweetening agents are added. Most Sri Lankans consume this beverage with a piece of jaggery.
The herbal tea made from beal flowers has significant fragrance and health benefits. It helps to treat asthma and fever. It is also famous for its goodness when treating kidney problems. Bael flower tea relieves palpitations, heartburn, indigestion, bowel disorders, and vomiting.
Traditionally, bael flower tea is used to cure diabetes. It helps to keep diabetes under control by keeping blood sugar levels under control. The chemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins, help to reduce inflammation. It also controls lipid profiles and triglycerides, reducing cholesterol levels.
7. Curry Leaves Tea
Curry leaves (Murraya Koenigii) call as Karapincha tea in Sri Lanka. They are natural flavoring agents with a number of important health benefits. It makes your tea both healthy and tasty along with a pleasing aroma. Curry leaves tea is a highly effective herbal tea. It has antioxidant properties and improves appetite. It is anti-carcinogenic, reduce cholesterol level, and controls diabetes.
Health Benefits of Curry leaves tea include gastrointestinal protection and anti-diabetic properties. It is beneficial in controlling blood glucose levels. The phenolic compounds in curry leaves are helpful in fighting cancers such as leukemia, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. Moreover, curry leaves help in strengthening hair roots.
8. Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is a tree indigenous to Sri Lanka which produces the highest-grade pure cinnamon. It has been considered a remedy for many ailments throughout history. This spice has many nutrients such as fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, cinnamaldehyde, and more. Cinnamon tea is a popular herbal drink among Sri Lankans. Sun-dried and blended Cinnamon tea gives you essential health benefits.
It reduces high cholesterol levels and controls blood clot formation. Since it can increase the digestion, Cinnamon tea is used to treat obesity. It is good for diabetic patients and is greatly beneficial to control sugar disorders. Cinnamon tea is also reducing the risk of heart ailments and promotes body heat during cold weather.
9. Moringa Tea
Scientifically termed Moringa olefeira, the moringa tree is also known as the “Miracle Tree” because of its amazing nutritional value. Moringa pod or the drumstick considers a superfood, rich in vitamins and minerals. It uses to make a delicious vegan curry in Sri Lanka. Moringa Tea is made by steeping dried moringa leaves in boiled water for about five minutes before being strained. The Moringa herbal tea is a refreshing healthy beverage that supports the body in many ways.
Moringa leaf powder and tea bags are present in the market for anyone searching for moringa tea. The herbal tea can be consumed at any time of the day. It offers an earthly flavor similar to green tea. It is less bitter than most herbal tea varieties and can tolerate high temperatures when being brewed.
Moringa leaves contain essential vitamins. Each leaf contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 along with essential nutrients such as beta-carotene and amino acids. Moringa tea is a rich source of antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals from the body. It also reduces chronic inflammation that causes serious health issues such as high blood pressure, chronic pain, and stroke.
10. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus is a flowering plant in Sri Lanka. Since they have beautiful blooms, it is a common plant in Sri Lankan home gardens. The Hibiscus blooms comprise a lot of health benefits. Hibiscus herbal tea is made by steeping hibiscus flowers in boiling water for five minutes. It is often sweetened using lime or honey.
Hibiscus tea is a rich source of antioxidants. These molecules help the body to fight free radicals that cause cell damage. High blood pressure is a condition that leads to an increased risk of heart disease. Drinking hibiscus tea helps to reduce blood pressure. It also lowers blood fat levels, which is also a well-known counter to heart disease.
11. Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Do you know about the trendiest herbal tea in Sri Lanka? It is none other than Clitoria Ternatea ( Blue Butterfly Pea) flower tea. This is not just another plant. It is known as a divine medicine that has the power to cure many diseases. These beautiful flowers call as Nil katarolu in Sinhalese. They use to make colorful, healthy herbal tea.
There are so many health Benefits of Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea. It is full of antioxidants and helps to get glowing skin and strong hair. This tea can control depression and relieve stress. Moreover, it helps in digestion, boosts brain health, and improves eyesight.
This natural herbal tea can boost your immunity. It can give relief from cough and cold. This wonderful tea can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can support weight loss, and control diabetes and hypertension. Without a doubt, this is one of the best herbal teas to try in Sri Lanka.
To sum up, here we have bought you the details about the best herbal teas available in Sri Lanka. To suit the busy lifestyles of modern-day consumers, herbal teas in Sri Lanka are available in the market as instant tea bags. Users can simply insert them in a cup of hot water and consume the herbal tea after a few minutes. There is no doubt, the goodness of herbal teas in Sri Lanka will give you a delightful experience.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, beamhelaosulanka.lk, Pixabay and Twitter. All copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
