John Myers
“Relaxation”, “Inner strength” or “Fresh and lively” is written on the tea bags from the supermarket. But can the hot drinks do that too? The market has examined some of these promises.
A look at the ingredients reveals: The bags contain mixtures of different herbs, often including lemon balm, mint, lemongrass, or blackberry leaves. Compared to ordinary mint or lemon balm tea, these herbal mixtures are usually significantly more expensive. One of the manufacturers argues with the “complexity of the mixture and the cost of each ingredient”.
If you take a closer look at the packs, the potency of the individual herbs is never mentioned. This is legally correct because only medicinal teas can promise an effect. Unlike supermarket teas, they are subject to the Medicines Act. This means their herbs are of a higher quality and contain more active ingredients such as essential oils.
Consumer advocates believe that the promised feelings on the pack can also be achieved with any other tea by taking the time and quiet to prepare and enjoy the tea.
Be careful with teas that promise health
If herbal teas contain added vitamins, so-called health claims may appear on the packaging. From a small amount of added vitamin C in the tea, for example, the “strengthening of the immune system” may be advertised. When adding small amounts of vitamin B12, manufacturers are allowed to write “reduction of tiredness and fatigue” on the package. From the point of view of consumer advocates, however, the addition of vitamins such as vitamin C or B12 in herbal tea does not have any health effect, since you already consume enough of them through a normal diet. In such cases, the suspicion often arises that manufacturers only garnish their products with small amounts of vitamins in order to be able to advertise certain health-related statements on the packaging. And that offers them the opportunity to conceal the ineffectiveness of other ingredients.
Ginger and honey as healthy ingredients in teas
A tea made from ginger root, refined with honey, is particularly popular on colder days. Many herbal teas entice with the addition of ginger and honey. But the ingredient honey can already make you suspicious. A closer look at the package often reveals that honey is just a flavor that has nothing to do with real honey. Sometimes it also contains the smallest amounts of so-called honey granules – tiny granules of maltodextrin and some dried honey. Ginger is usually in powder form in the bags – and often only in small quantities.
Better to make your own tea
Experts, therefore, recommend making this tea yourself: Boil fresh ginger or pieces of dried ginger to get more of the good components out of the ginger and then sweeten the hot drink with some real honey.
