Herbal Tea...A Gift from Mother Nature Quiz

Answer: Cinnamon

Cinnamon tea has been drunk for centuries in South East Asia. Cinnamon tea has a wonderful aroma and a spicy taste. It is said to improve circulation, ease cold symptoms, relieve upset stomachs, and ease menstrual cramps.

Answer: Kava

Kava root is indigenous to the islands of Polynesia. It is usually served sweetened as kava tends to have a very bitter taste. It is used to relieve stress, and to help with insomnia. This herbal tea should be used no more than three times a week and only by healthy adults as over-use can cause severe liver damage.

Answer: Ginseng

One of the most popular herbal teas is ginseng tea. Many people use this drink for its stimulating effects, as well as for possible health benefits. It is said to improve thinking, accelerate reaction times, impart resistance to many types of disease, as well as improving circulation.

Increasing its popularity is its reputation as an aphrodisiac. Ginseng is generally safe to use with negative side effects being uncommon. The other three options are large Chinese cities.

Answer: Mediterranean countries

The drinking of fennel tea has been popular in the Mediterranean regions for thousands of years. It is believed to soothe stomach ailments, improve eyesight, reduce cholesterol levels, all while providing a boost to the immune system. Pregnant women should not drink fennel tea as it can act as a uterine stimulant and drinking too much fennel tea can cause hallucinations, and muscle cramps.

As with most types of herbal tea, the secret to success is in moderation.

Answer: Pregnant women

Chamomile tea has been used the help with insomnia and other sleep disorders for centuries. Popular in many parts of Europe, it is also used to ease stomach flu, ulcers, migraines, and menstrual cramping.

Answer: Peppermint

Peppermint tea is usually drunk for its soothing effects on the digestive tract. This is one of the few herbal teas that is drunk iced as well as hot. Ancient Greeks used peppermint tea to ease nausea and vomiting and believed it helped to dissolve gallstones.

It is believed to have calming effects and to ease muscle aches and chronic pain. This herbal tea should be avoided by those who suffer chronic heartburn as it can make the problem worse.

Answer: Cherry blossoms

Sakurayu is an interesting Japanese herbal tea that is made from pickled cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms are pickled in plum vinegar and salt, after which they are dried. When steeped in hot water, the blossoms unfurl and float to the surface. It has a salty taste and is believed to detoxify the body, strengthen immunity, and boost the libido.

Answer: False

Belladonna is a very toxic plant that is not used to make tea. The leaves and berries can be deadly if ingested. While many plants may be used to make herbal tea, this is definitely not one of them.

Answer: True

While many people think of dandelion as being a weed, it makes a wonderful herbal tea. Dandelion tea is taken as a digestive aid, and is believed by many to purify the blood, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and detoxify the body. Anyone taking anticoagulants, or who have an allergy to ragweed should however not drink this herbal tea.

Answer: Anise

Anise tea is used in the treatment of colds and other respiratory ailments. It is touted to be an expectorant and to loosen phlegm in the throat and lungs. It has been used for thousands of years to calm upset stomachs and to reduce flatulence. Anise tea should be used very carefully as it can cause or worsen inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea and acne.

The other three options are also used in the making of herbal teas.