One of the healthiest things you can consume is Chinese herbal tea. Chinese tea has been used to increase general health and well being for thousands of years. Studies have shown that Chinese herbal teas improve digestion, stress, weight loss, and even help with skin diseases.

Herbal teas are made from parts of a tea plant, utilizing the bark, stem, root, leaves, flowers, and stalk. The best Chinese herbal teas are fresh and come from special tea plants cultivated in a specific manner. You can find cheap Chinese herbal teas or expensive herbal teas – but the more costly teas will always be more potent and have a much superior flavor.

You can use these teas as a chinese herb or as a drink -- either way will deliver benifits to your health. Most people prefer to consume chinese tea.

The modern version of ancient Chinese tea use three types of Chinese herbs in a mix: the “healing herb”, the supplemental healing herb, and the flavor herb. You can consume Chinese herbal tea in, well, tea or you can use it in your cooking.

There are dozens, even hundreds of Chinese herbal teas, but here are the 4 most popular Chinese teas.

1. Green Tea

Probably the most well known Chinese herbal tea and one of the most flavorful varieties, Chinese green tea has been around for thousands of years. It’s was drunk by emperor and farmers alike. These days, green tea is used in everything from ice cream to power drinks.

Green tea is created from tea leaves that have undergone little oxidation during the tea-making process. Other teas like black tea will use fully oxidized leaves. Green tea is used for a variety of alternative health treatments such as digestion, skin care, and weight loss. You can use it as a drink or even as a Chinese cooking herb. There are many studies that show green tea may prevent cancer.

2. Ginko biloba tea

Ginko biloba is used to treat such ailments as high cholesterol and heart disease. Many people who use this herb also claim it increases memory – a sort of “memory herb.” There are some studies that suggest ginko biloba well slow down the degeneration of brain cell decay while also improving the body’s blood circulation. It’s best to use fresh ginko biloba leaves rather than dried – they are more effective. However, dried leaves can still be very effective (and tasty), especially as a tea.

3. Oolong tea is created from tea leaves that are between 10-70% oxidized. Now, the flavor will change depending on the level of oxidization – hence there are varieties of oolong tea. In general, oolong tea is darker than green tea leaves, but still a bit lighter than black tea leaves.

As stated, there are many varieties of oolong tea. The most famous (and expensive) is the variety grown in the mountains of China’s Wu Yu province.

Oolong tea is so healthy because they are jam packed full of antioxidants – important ingredients that fight against free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for the aging process of the cells. The blief is that if one drinks oolong tea, one will look younger will living free of disease.

4. Jiaogulan tea

This tea is known to keep the body healthy. It’s commonly called the “immortality herb” by some because it contains high levels of antioxidants, adaptogens, and saponins. These ingredients help fight against diabetes and high blog cholesterol.

Tips for Buying Chinese Herbal Teas

Chinese teas, besides being incredible beneficial for your health, are also meant to be enjoyed by their flavor. When possible, you should always go for more expensive Chinese herbal teas – these teas are usually grown in remote, hard to get to mountainous places that are perfectly suited for tea-growing. If you really like chinese herbal tea, you should also consider trying out the many varieties of japanese teas as well -- there are different flavours to be tried.

You can buy Chinese herbal teas in bulk to get cheaper prices. You should also consider buying herbal teas online, as the prices tend to be significantly cheaper than in a physical store. However, make sure you buy from a reputable dealer – you don’t want cheap tea being sold to you as expensive!

Drink Chinese tea if you want a general health boost. The powerful effects of the Chinese herbs used in the  tea will give more energy and help your body perform at its best. You can also use Chinese tea to treat a specific ailment such as diabetes or high cholesterol. But, besides the health benifits, drinking tea is an experience all by itself.