One theory suggests that the industrial revolution came to Britain first thanks to tea alone! With its natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, the beverage made from this ancient chinese herb was not only a British institution but may have also been the nation's saving grace. The theory runs that under normal circumstances where people live in the kind of proximity needed to propagate the industrial revolution, epidemics would wipe them out in a matter of years. However, with a constitution fortified by tea, the Brits were able to thrive and survive under the conditions. Whether this is true or not, the medicinal value of tea is undisputed.

The traditional english brew is only one of the many drinks from around the world prepared by pouring hot water on leaves in one form or another. The world of hot water and leaf beverages falls into two main categories, "Teas" and "Tisanes". Each tea drinking nation has its own way of drinking Tea and all that they have in common is the same type of leaf. The Tibetans drink it with yak butter, the Turks have it strong black and sweet in glasses. Tisanes are prepared using other herbs.

Every household should keep a selection of teas and tisanes for everyday and occasional use, the following are recommended:

Rooibosch Tea

Mmm ... a unique taste from Africa. Its name comes from the Afrikans for "Red Bush" and it is now marketed as "Red Bush" tea in most supermarkets and health stores.

Uses: The Red Bush has been used medicinally in Africa since before it was colonised. It's a great diaphoretic, helping to eliminate toxins through the sweat like a kind of ingested sauna. It is caffeine free and not as tannic as tea so a good refreshing alternative in the afternoon. It can also be used as a carminative to help with feelings of bloatedness after a heavy meal and it is sometimes given to children to alleviate vomiting. Basically this one is good for the digestive system and as a general tonic. It is recomended as an aid to dieting when you are hungry and crave something satisfying but not fattening - this does the trick!

Where to get it: If not available in the tea section of your local supermarket it will certainly be stocked by your nearest health food store - sometimes called "Red Bush Tea".

Linden Blossom

The blossom of the Lime Tree, delicately fragrant and a little like jasmine tea. Not as popular as a tea these days as it was in previous generations. It has a delicate taste and useful properties. Linden blossom was a favourite of the French herbalist, Maurice Messengue, whose father used to bath him in blossom-steeped water when he had trouble sleeping as a child.

Uses: It's famous as a relaxing remedy being nervine and anti-spasmodic. For best effect, it needs to be drunk daily during periods of stress - one to two cups a day. It can be helpful during periods of insomnia and hypertension but the wonderful thing about this is how relaxing the act of drinking a cup can be. The effect of taking the time out to make a brew, sit back and sip it, is probably as good as the chemical actions of the plants.

Where to get it: Not widely available. It can be ordered as “dried linden blossom” from Neals Yard and used about a teaspoon per cup in an infuser.

Peppermint

So beneficial and so harmless it can be drunk every day as a regular herbal tipple. The drinking of peppermint tea is a great tradition among the Arabs in Africa and an important leisure activity.

Uses: Carminative, carminative, carminative - fantastic. It is recommend you drink it before a heavy meal as an aperetif and afterwards as a night cap or whatever. Even if the meal is not so heavy, this one does wonders for your digestive system, gets to work on indigestion and dispels trapped wind in both directions a treat. It tastes nicer than the traditional settler of Chamomile tea and is just as effective. It smells great and is a nervine, too, so can help you calm down. Big jugs of cold peppermint tea on a hot day can be drunk to take advantage of its refreshing taste and diaphoretic (sweat inducing) properties. Use it with a spoonful of honey stirred in when you can't sleep, especially after overeating.

Where to get it: It is the most common and widely available herb tea, shouldn't be a problem getting hold of some.