8 Healthy Hot Teas and Drinks to Warm You Up in Winter

Like we say in my country, winter has made it to the bone. And in this cold and chilling weather, nothing is as good as a hot drink to warm you up from the inside out. And it is even better if that drink is healthy and full of nutrients. So, let me share with you some delicious, healthy hot teas and drinks that will certainly warm your heart in the winter.

1. Hibiscus Tea

I will start with hibiscus tea, a famous drink in my country. Hibiscus tea is made from the dried petals of hpibiscus, the infusion has a beautiful crimson or deep magnate color that you will love. We also drink it as a cold juice in winter, and we use it for our hairs as a homemade leave-in conditioner.

Health Benefits

Hibiscus tea is famous for its many health benefits. In my country, people specifically use it to lower high blood pressure. Let me tell you about the benefits of hibiscus:

1. It lowers high blood pressure.

2. Works as an antioxidant.

3. May Lower lipid levels.

4. May lower high blood sugar.

5. Has an anti-inflammatory activity.

6. Can protect your kidney.

And according to the women of my country. Hibiscus is great for hair!

Recipe

- Preparation time: 5 minutes

- Cooking time: 10 minutes

- Overall time: 15 minutes

- Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients:

- 1 cup dried hibiscus petals

- 4 cups water

- 2 tablespoons of honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Bring the water to a boil.

2. Add the hibiscus petals and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes in low heat.

3. Strain the tea and sweeten it as you like.

4. Serve it hot.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 2 (without sweeteners)

- Protein: 0 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 0 g

2. Mint Tea

Mint Tea is a very popular tea in the Middle East, especially among those who have irritable bowel syndrome, stomachaches, or period cramps. Just say that you have a stomach issue and you will have everyone asking, “Why don't you drink some mint tea?!”.

Health Benefits

So, let us talk about the potential health benefits of mint tea.

1. Mint tea has antibacterial and antiviral activities.

2. It is a strong antioxidant and antitumor activities.

3. Antiallergenic.

4. It can relax the smooth muscles of the Gastrointestinal tract.

5. Can relieve pain.

6. Can regulate the Immune system.

Recipe

- Preparation time: 5 minutes

- Cooking time: 5 minutes

- Overall time: 10 minutes

- Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients:

- 1 handful of fresh mint leaves

- 2 cups water

- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil the water and remove it from the heat.

2. Add the fresh mint leaves to a teapot or cup.

3. Pour the hot water over the leaves and steep them for 5 minutes.

4. Strain and sweeten it as you like.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 2 (without sweeteners)

- Protein: 0 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 0 g

3. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile Tea is a famous Mediterranean tea. Chamomile is also a popular natural remedy in traditional medicine.

Health Benefits

Chamomile tea can have the following benefits:

1. Anti-inflammatory.

2. Antioxidant.

3. Anti cancer activity.

4. Antimicrobial activity.

5. Antiallergenic.

6. Liver protective effect.

7. Blood pressure lowering effect.

Recipe

- Preparation time: 5 minutes

- Cooking time: 5 minutes

- Overall time: 10 minutes

- Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers

- 2 cups of water

- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil the water and remove it from the heat.

2. Add the chamomile flowers to a teapot or cup.

3. Pour the hot water over the flowers and let it steep for 5 minutes.

4. Strain and sweeten it.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 5 (without honey/sugar)

- Protein: 0 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 1 g

4. Gunpowder Green Tea

I have mentioned gunpowder green tea before. In my article, 12 benefits of Moroccan mint tea, gunpowder green tea is the main ingredient of the famous Moroccan mint tea.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of green tea are too many to be mentioned as a small part of a blog post, but let me share with you several reasons on why green tea is hyped.

1. Protection against degenerative diseases.

2. Antioxidant activity.

3. Effective in preventing neurological problems.

4. lowers high sugar levels.

5. Reduces the risk of chronic disease.

6. Treating diarrhea and typhoid.

Recipe

- Preparation time: 3 minutes

- Cooking time: 2 minutes

- Overall time: 5 minutes

- Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients:

- 1 teaspoon of gunpowder green tea leaves

- 2 cups of water

Instructions:

1. Heat the water to just below boiling (it is important that the water is not so hot to avoid it being bitter) (around 80°C/176°F).

2. Add the gunpowder tea leaves to a teapot.

3. Pour the hot water over the leaves and steep for 2 minutes.

4. Strain and drink it.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 2

- Protein: 0 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 0 g

5. Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is gaining a lot of popularity these days. You probably see it as a hot drink, iced drinks, and even ice creams.

Health Benefits

Matcha is basically green tea ground into a fine powder. The health benefits of matcha resemble those of gunpowder green tea, though some studies indicate that a cheaper gunpowder green tea has stronger activities in some aspects.

Recipe

- Preparation time: 2 minutes

- Cooking time: 3 minutes

- Overall time: 5 minutes

- Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients:

- 1 teaspoon of matcha powder

- 1 cup of hot water (again make sure it is just hot not boiling)

Instructions:

1. Sift the matcha powder into a bowl to remove any clumps.

2. Add a small amount of hot water and whisk it to form a smooth paste.

3. Gradually add the remaining hot water while whisking until it becomes frothy.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 5

- Protein: 0.5 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 1 g

6. Rose Bud Tea

Now if you want a caffeine free hot drink, then rose bud tea is what to go for. Rose bud tea has a flowery aroma and a light sweet taste.

Health Benefits

1. Strong antioxidant activity.

2. Reduces the risk of diabetes, heart diseases, cognitive function, and obesity.

3. Has anti-inflammatory activity.

4. Can relief menstrual cramp pain

5. Can help you with digestion.

Recipe:

- Preparation time: 5 minutes

- Cooking time: 5 minutes

- Overall time: 10 minutes

- Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons of dried rose buds

- 2 cups water

- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil the water in a kettle.

2. Place the dried rose buds into a teapot or cup.

3. Pour the hot water over the rose buds and let it steep for 5 minutes.

4. Strain it if needed, sweeten it with honey, and serve it hot.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 5 (without honey/sugar)

- Protein: 0 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 1 g

7. Citrus Herbal Tea

For the lovers of sour taste and citruses, this mix of herbs and citrus can improve your mood and help you relax. You can use different varieties of citrus for this and you can also play with the herbs, but I bet you will love this recipe.

Health Benefits

The health benefits vary depending on the type of ingredients that you use. But. In general, citruses are great antioxidant and some of them (e.g. lemon) are famous in traditional medicine for treatment of common cold and for lowering blood pressure.

Recipe

- Preparation time: 10 minutes

- Cooking time: 5 minutes

- Overall time: 15 minutes

- Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients:

- 1 orange, sliced

- 1 lemon, sliced

- 1 cinnamon stick

- 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile or your preferred herb

- 4 cups water

- Honey

Instructions:

1. Add the orange, lemon slices, and cinnamon stick to a teapot.

2. Add chamomile or other herbs.

3. Boil the water and pour it over the ingredients.

4. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes.

5. Strain it and then sweeten it as you like.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 20 (without honey)

- Protein: 0 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 5 g

8. Lavender Infusion Tea

Lavender tea is the tea for those who struggle with anxiety. Studies found that lavender tea can reduce anxiety and depression levels.

Health Benefits

1. Good for anxiety and depression

2. Improves sleep quality.

Recipe

- Preparation time: 5 minutes

- Cooking time: 5 minutes

- Overall time: 10 minutes

- Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients:

- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers

- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile (optional)

- 2 cups water

- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil water and remove it from heat.

2. Add lavender flowers and chamomile to a teapot.

3. Pour the hot water over the flowers and let steep for 5 minutes.

4. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired.

Nutritional values per serving (approximately):

- Calories: 5 (without honey)

- Protein: 0 g

- Fat: 0 g

- Carbohydrates: 1 g

The Bottomline

Those healthy hot teas will serve you well whenever you crave a hot drink on a chilly night.