There are many benefits of herbal tea and this is one of the reasons that at Banya No.1 – Chiswick, we offer a wide range of teas for you to enjoy during your visit.
Aside from the importance of rehydration after banya treatments, the benefit of herbal tea stems from the various ingredients used to make it.
But what is the best herbal tea to drink in the banya? Are there even some tea and herbs that work within the body better than others, or are they all equally beneficial?
These are the questions that we are often asked and so below we lay out for you a guide to health teas and herbal tea, and also present a run-down of the teas that are available at Banya No.1 – Chiswick for you to enjoy during your visit.
The Benefit of Drinking Herbal Tea
Rehydration is vital during and after your banya visit, and herbal tea is an excellent choice due to all the other benefits it provides.
A visit to the banya results in dehydration; sweating is excellent for getting rid of toxins, but it does leave you lacking fluid, which needs to be replaced.
Our Banya No.1 Tea is a tasty blend of linden, thyme, mint and chamomile, but we have many other teas available to suit all tastes.
When choosing tea, the taste is important, but it is also worth bearing in mind the various benefits of the different ingredients, as one may be more suited to your particular needs.
So with that in mind, let’s make a start on this guide to tea and herbs, to help you choose the best herbal tea for you.
Banya No.1 Tea
Our signature blend, Banya No.1 Tea is a delicious and healthy herbal tea combining linden, mint, chamomile and thyme, along with others. We think it is the best herbal tea going, and here is why.
Linden: Compounds in linden have powerful sedative properties, and are therefore great for relaxation; they can slow down an overactive or excitable nervous system, inducing calm and reducing anxiety and stress.
Linden is also full of antioxidants that are proven to be very effective against inflammation, and it has even been shown to dilate blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure.
Mint: This is an immune booster, also packed with antioxidants, that will help combat colds and help you stay healthy. Menthol from mint also aids in the relief of blocked sinuses and eases breathing.
Additionally, mint contains essential oils that soothe digestion and calm upset stomachs. Away from the physical, mint can also help to improve cognitive functions, boosting memory and improving your overall mood.
Chamomile: As we explore in more detail below, chamomile is a great aid to relaxation and can assist in giving drinkers a better quality sleep. It also has other health benefits which have a positive effect on blood sugar levels and the heart and can even help combat certain types of cancer cells.
Thyme: As well as adding a great flavour to the tea, thyme also brings with it a range of health benefits. Known as a mood booster, compounds in thyme increase the amount of dopamine and serotonin in the body, which helps regulate the mood.
Thyme also has some incredible anti-inflammatory properties, which will combat symptoms from all kinds of illnesses and conditions. It is also shown to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, thus helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. It is an excellent source of antioxidants that combat high blood pressure.
Sea Buckthorn Tea
The benefits of Sea Buckthorn Tea are well known, as the berries have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The berries are a superfood and are incredibly rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, all of which complement the benefits of a banya session very well.
In Asia, Sea Buckthorn is known as the berry of health and longevity, as it is successfully used to ward off dozens of diseases, stimulates metabolism and boosts the immune system.
Additionally, the berries are bursting with serotonin – the hormone of happiness – and this is great for reducing stress and supporting the nervous system.
At Banya No.1 – Chiswick, we prepare our Sea Buckthorn Tea enriched with calcium, potassium and iron among many other beneficial compounds.
Sea Buckthorn berries are also wonderfully tasty, so if you haven’t tried this tea before, then perhaps your next visit is the time to do so!
Fireweed Tea
Fireweed Tea – better known as Ivan Chai – is actually made from the Rosebay Willowherb and is an amazing plant; in areas scorched by fire, it is often the first plant to regrow in the area of devastation, bringing healing to the scorched earth.
Unlike many herbal teas, the leaves of the plant are fermented (as when making black tea), and this results in a tea with a depth of flavour and colour that is usually missing from green teas. Similar, in many ways, to black tea, but without the caffeine.
Fireweed tea has a high content of iron, copper, potassium and calcium. It is great as an immune system booster, but also lowers blood pressure and can relieve the symptoms of fever.
It also is rich in antioxidants and can also help to burn fat. Many people find it helpful to drink when they are quitting smoking, and it has even been used in the treatment of alcohol addiction.
Buckwheat Tea
The list of Buckwheat Tea benefits starts with the fact that, despite its name, buckwheat is not only caffeine-free but is also gluten-free as well.
Buckwheat is a staple of many country’s cuisines, and is actually not wheat, or even a grain, but is a seed derived from a distant relative to the rhubarb plant. It has a nutty, slightly bitter flavour, and is ideal for creating a light, refreshing, easy-to-drink tea.
Buckwheat Tea helps to regulate blood sugar levels, boosts the immune system and can even help to improve ovarian function.
There is also evidence that buckwheat may lower certain cardiovascular risk markers, such as glucose and cholesterol.
Its ability to help regulate blood glucose levels indicates it may be advantageous in the treatment of diabetes.
Lemon & Ginger Tea
Like many of the health teas on this list, Lemon & Ginger Tea offers drinkers a host of benefits.
Lemon is well known as a rich source of both Vitamin C and antioxidants and can have an amazing positive effect on the immune system.
Ginger too, has immunity-boosting properties, but also works wonders on the digestive system. Not only can it combat various bacteria, but along with lemon, is a great support to a healthy digestive system.
Ginger also has been shown to act as a hunger suppressant, which can assist those who are trying to lose weight.
Finally, in addition to all this, Ginger Lemon Tea with Honey has been used for hundreds of years to treat sinus and flu infections. All the elements in this tea, especially with honey, offer excellent anti-inflammatory benefits. The three together are a very powerful combination.
Lemon juice carries digestive enzymes, ginger stimulates digestion, while honey helps clear the intestines of toxic build-up.
Some even use it as a cure for headaches.
Siberian Ginseng Tea
Siberian Ginseng Tea is a great follow-up to a banya session, as it aids in the recovery from strenuous exercise. Now, a trip to the banya may not sound so strenuous, but if you have visited before, you will know that it still puts the body through its paces, even as you sit and relax in the steam room!
Siberian Ginseng is an adaptogen, meaning that it is one of several herbs that assist your body respond to stressful circumstances – such as exposure to extreme heat and cold – as well as stress, fatigue or anxiety. It also helps tremendously if you are combatting infections. It benefits your body by managing both mental and physical stressors, and of all the common adaptogens, Ginseng is considered to be the most powerful.
In men, it has recently been shown to significantly raise free testosterone levels.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile Tea has long been used as a relaxation aid and as a treatment to promote good quality sleep.
Chamomile contains apigenin, which is an antioxidant that binds to specific receptors in the brain and it is believed that this is what helps Chamomile Tea to promote sleepiness after drinking.
For the most relaxing way to rehydrate after a session at the banya, this is a fine tea to drink.
There are also indications from studies that suggest chamomile may be beneficial against certain types of cancer cells, may benefit blood sugar control and may even help to improve heart health.
A Spa Day with Afternoon Tea the Russian Way
After a visit to Banya No.1 – Chiswick, we encourage you to take time out in the rest and relaxation lounge rather than just rush off.
Relaxation and recuperation are an important part of the banya experience, mentally as well as physically, and is a chance to rehydrate and build up the body after your steam and detox experience.
Take a little time to rest, in your own private booth, and order something to drink and perhaps eat as well. Try out a spa day with afternoon tea the Russian way!
Order one of our excellent teas – all described above – and maybe add a sweet treat or two to enjoy with it. Russian sweets are always a treat and are the perfect accompaniment to the best herbal tea.
Perhaps try some pryaniki – sometimes called Russian Gingerbread. These are sweet cookies flavoured with spices, sometimes served with honey.
Or how about some sushki? These are crunchy, slightly sweetened, bread rings that go very well with a pot of tea.
Whatever your preference – either in herbal tea or Russian sweets – you are sure to find something to make your relaxation at the banya just a little more special.
