Enjoying several cups of tea a day is a pleasant way to get antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. Perhaps the oldest delivery system for medicinal herbs, teas are beneficial because the body can quickly absorb and use the medicinal properties.

Herbal Teas

Combinations of herbs produce healing teas that can ease the symptoms of colds and the flu. Echinacea is an herb that helps fight colds and respiratory infections. “At the first signs of a cold or flu, echinacea is a good choice in order to initiate a strong immune response as the pathogens are just beginning to try and take hold,” says herbalist Roy Upton, executive director of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. So brew up a cup of echinacea tea at the first sneeze or sniffle.

Browse your favorite supermarket for a wide variety of herbal teas: made with lemon and honey to relieve a sore throat, chamomile for relaxation, ginger for stomach upset, ginkgo for memory, ginseng for vitality, peppermint for digestion, and many more.

“Your body requires fluid, and an herbal tea is a pleasant way to dispense medicine and provide fluid,” says James A. Duke, PhD.

Go for the Green

One of the most powerful teas for preventing illness, green tea is recommended for a number of conditions ranging from asthma to gum disease. Green tea contains polyphenols such as EGCG, an antioxidant that is more powerful than vitamins E and C. Phytonutrients called catechins in green tea add other benefits—they help lower cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk for stroke.

Despite somewhat mixed results, research has found a link between regular consumption of green tea and a reduced incidence of different cancers, including those of the skin, bladder, breast, colon, esophagus, and lung. Recent evidence even suggests that green tea extract may be helpful for weight loss.

Other Teas, Too

While the benefits of drinking green tea have been widely reported, keep in mind that other teas may be just as healthy. The antioxidants in green, black, and oolong teas may help block the formation of plaque on artery walls. Some experts surmise that black and oolong teas could have other antioxidants that compare favorably to green tea’s EGCG. Drinking tea has also been found to increase healthy (HDL) cholesterol and improve artery function.

To reap the benefits of tea, just pour hot water over a tea bag. To get the most out of a cup of tea, drink it freshly brewed. Remember, though, teas that are decaffeinated, bottled and ready-to-drink, and instant tea mixes may have a lower concentration of antioxidants and flavonoids, and some may contain unwanted sweeteners and other additives.