Herbal teas are good for you

Some may be but others could be harmful. Many people who want to adopt healthier eating habits begin to drink herbal teas. Often they are seeking a more integrated approach to health, therapeutics and nutrition. This approach has a strong historical basis and it is very much a part of food culture in China, India and the Middle East.

Herbal teas have been used as tonics and for a variety of therapeutic purposes since early times. Of the many varieties of herbal tea, some may be beneficial, some may not do anything, and others may be potentially hazardous to health. Some herbal teas do contain substances that have medicinal properties. Whether they are medicinally effective or not when taken in the form of a herbal tea depends on factors such as whether or not the active ingredients are extracted during infusion, their concentration and the amount of tea consumed. Herbal teas such as mint, rose hip, blackberry, raspberry and citrus have been consumed safely for many years.

However, herbal teas that have been identified as being potentially harmful include:

pennyroyal oil, which has been used to induce menstruation and abortion;
comfrey, which when fed to laboratory animals has caused cancer;
chamomile flower heads, which may cause contact dermatitis;
sassafras root bark, which contains a known cancer producing substance;
marigold tea, which may cause allergy-like response in some people.

The historical consumption of many varieties of herba tea offers some guidance as to their effect and safety but it is not a guarantee. As a general matter of prudence, herbal teas, particularly those of unknown composition and origin, should be consumed in moderation.