In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Are Herbal Teas?5 Herbal TeasHealthy Diet Tips
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In This Article
What Are Herbal Teas?
5 Herbal Teas
Healthy Diet Tips
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Iced or hot, there is something nostalgic and comforting in sharing a conversation over a cup of tea. Herbal teas have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. These teas come in a variety of flavors that have unique health properties. But, if you have a health condition that requires medication, be aware that certain herbal teas can interfere with both prescription and nonprescription drugs.
Read on to learn more about which teas can affect your medication, plus ways to enjoy herbal teas.
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Herbal teas are not the same as “true teas,” such as black, oolong, green and white varieties, which are made fromCamellia sinensis(tea plant).Herbal teas, on the other hand, are made from a range of plants and can be prepared from their leaves, stems, roots, fruits, buds and flowers.
In addition, herbal tea is caffeine-free, while true teas contain caffeine, saysCaroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a Washington, D.C.-based dietitian. Herbal varieties also tend to have a milder or sweeter taste, compared to the bitter flavors of true tea, she says.
Flavor combinations such as apple cinnamon, chamomile, mint, chai, ginger turmeric, elderberry, tulsi, lemon and rooibos red tea are just some of the types of herbal teas you will find on grocery store shelves. “Most herbal teas are considered to be generally safe when consumed in moderation and can definitely be included as part of a complete and nutrient-dense diet,” saysLena Bakovic, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Top Nutrition Coaching.
However, if you read their labels, you might see a disclaimer on herbal tea that recommends people speak with their medical provider if they have a medical condition or take medication. And that’s good advice, especially if you’re sipping the following five teas.
5 Herbal Teas That Can Affect Your Medication
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha(Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal)is an herb traditionally used to reduce stress, enhance well-being, reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality and duration.Ashwagandha may be an added ingredient in different formulations of herbal teas promoted for stress reduction and inducing a calming effect.
Findings from research studies where participants took 500 to 600 milligrams per day of ashwagandha extract suggest that there may be interactions with a range of meds: thyroid medications, diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, immunosuppressants and sedatives. While it’s likely there’s a smaller dose of ashwagandha in tea, if you take any of these medicines and drink ashwagandha regularly you should reach out to your doctor to be certain it is safe for you.
2. Ginkgo Biloba
3. St. John’s Wort
St John’s wort comes from the flowering plant tops ofHypericum perforatumand has been studied for its use in treating symptoms of depression, wound healing, ADHD and menopausal symptoms, among others.However, there is a great deal of evidence that suggests that SJW can interfere with many types of medications, reducing their effectiveness.
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4. Goldenseal
5. Chamomile
Chamomile teais often promoted as a stress-reliever or the perfect bedtime tea. Although amounts in teas are likely to be safe, chamomile can potentially interact with warfarin (a blood thinner) and cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant drug used after organ transplant).
In addition, you may need to take precautions if you have diabetes, says Bakovic. “If a person with diabetes chooses to have chamomile tea on a regular basis, it is recommended that they closely monitor their blood sugars for potential blood sugar lowering effects,” she explains.
Tips for Including Herbal Teas in a Healthy Diet
Drinking tea is a wonderful way to hit your hydration goals, especially if you have a hard time drinking plain water. “Herbal teas can be a great part of a healthy diet, as they contain antioxidants and nutrients that you may not consume otherwise,” Thomason says. “Since herbal tea does not contain caffeine, you can easily incorporate it at any time throughout the day, and it is delicious whether served hot or cold,” she adds. Brew herbal tea in a large container and store it in the refrigerator for a refreshing beverage choice. And as long as it’s safe for you to do so, try these recipes forHerbal Chamomile Health Tonic,Lavender-Chamomile Herbal TeaorHibiscus-Pomegranate Iced Tea.
The Bottom Line
Herbal teas are a great addition to a healthy eating plan, providing fluids and antioxidants. They contain no caffeine and come in a variety of flavors. Depending on how much you consume and what type, some herbal teas, such as ashwagandha and ginkgo biloba, have the potential to interact with medications. Be sure to reach out to a medical provider if you are unsure whether the herbal tea you consume can impact the effectiveness of your medications, especially if you drink it regularly.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Chandrasekara A, Shahidi F.Herbal beverages: Bioactive compounds and their role in disease risk reduction - A review.J Tradit Complement Med.2018;8(4):451-458. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.08.006.Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R.An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Medicine.2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Ashwagandha: is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleepRažná K, Sawinska Z, Ivanišová E, et al. Properties ofGinkgo bilobaL.:Antioxidant Characterization, Antimicrobial Activities, and Genomic MicroRNA Based Marker Fingerprints.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(9):3087.doi:10.3390/ijms21093087National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Herb drug interactions: what the science says.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s Wort.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Goldenseal.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.
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EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Chandrasekara A, Shahidi F.Herbal beverages: Bioactive compounds and their role in disease risk reduction - A review.J Tradit Complement Med.2018;8(4):451-458. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.08.006.Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R.An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Medicine.2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Ashwagandha: is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleepRažná K, Sawinska Z, Ivanišová E, et al. Properties ofGinkgo bilobaL.:Antioxidant Characterization, Antimicrobial Activities, and Genomic MicroRNA Based Marker Fingerprints.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(9):3087.doi:10.3390/ijms21093087National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Herb drug interactions: what the science says.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s Wort.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Goldenseal.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Chandrasekara A, Shahidi F.Herbal beverages: Bioactive compounds and their role in disease risk reduction - A review.J Tradit Complement Med.2018;8(4):451-458. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.08.006.Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R.An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Medicine.2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Ashwagandha: is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleepRažná K, Sawinska Z, Ivanišová E, et al. Properties ofGinkgo bilobaL.:Antioxidant Characterization, Antimicrobial Activities, and Genomic MicroRNA Based Marker Fingerprints.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(9):3087.doi:10.3390/ijms21093087National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Herb drug interactions: what the science says.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s Wort.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Goldenseal.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.
Chandrasekara A, Shahidi F.Herbal beverages: Bioactive compounds and their role in disease risk reduction - A review.J Tradit Complement Med.2018;8(4):451-458. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.08.006.
Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R.An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Medicine.2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186
National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Ashwagandha: is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep
Ražná K, Sawinska Z, Ivanišová E, et al. Properties ofGinkgo bilobaL.:Antioxidant Characterization, Antimicrobial Activities, and Genomic MicroRNA Based Marker Fingerprints.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(9):3087.doi:10.3390/ijms21093087
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Herb drug interactions: what the science says.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s Wort.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Goldenseal.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.
