Watch Out for These Warnings Before Drinking Herbal Tea!

As winter arrives, increased viral infections and concerns about Covid-19 are driving people toward immunity-boosting foods and habits, including herbal teas widely regarded as natural remedies.

However, caution is warranted. Ece Öneş, Nutrition and Dietetics Specialist at Acıbadem Kadıköy Hospital, emphasizes that while herbal teas offer many health benefits, they can intensify chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or cancer, and may interact with medications, reducing their effectiveness. Another critical concern, according to Öneş, is the danger posed by loose herbal teas sold in markets. "Herbal teas of unknown origin can contain pesticides, environmental toxins, heavy metals such as zinc and lead, industrial waste or mold. Additionally, herbal teas exposed to open air for prolonged periods may contain aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin can cause liver damage and lead to liver cancer over time. Therefore, herbal teas require conscious consumption; otherwise, instead of healing, they will cause serious harm to your body," she warns. Nutrition and Dietetics Specialist Ece Öneş explained 10 prominent winter herbal teas and precautions for their consumption, offering important warnings and recommendations.

Green tea

The most renowned herbal tea, green tea helps accelerate metabolism thanks to the phytochemical epigallocatechin gallate in its composition. Due to its high antioxidant capacity, regular consumption strengthens the immune system and provides protection against chronic diseases. However, because it contains high levels of caffeine, excessive consumption is risky for hypertension patients, heart patients, pregnant women and nursing mothers; those in this group should consume a maximum of 1 cup daily. For healthy individuals, daily consumption should not exceed 2 cups.

Echinacea

An effective plant frequently used to strengthen immunity against viral infections or to reduce infection severity. In winter months, it can be consumed as a course of 1 or 2 cups daily, but this consumption should not exceed 1 month. Besides its health benefits, echinacea can interact with cholesterol medications, allergy medications and birth control pills; people using these medications should avoid echinacea consumption. Echinacea is also a type of herbal tea that can trigger allergic reactions.

Sage

Sage is one of the most effective herbal teas for treating common cold. Thanks to the phytochemical cineol in its composition, it helps prevent coughing. Sage, also known for its calming effect, can significantly increase drowsiness when used together with sedative medications. Since it can also trigger contractions during pregnancy, its use by pregnant women is inadvisable.

Rosehip

Rosehip is among plants with the highest concentration of vitamin C. Due to its high vitamin C content, it shows antioxidant effects and is used in treating many inflammatory conditions. With its high vitamin C content, it strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of infection. However, when consumed more than 3 cups daily, it can cause skin itching and irritation, as well as irritation in digestive tract organs such as the mouth, esophagus and stomach.

Thyme tea

Nutrition and Dietetics Specialist Ece Öneş states: "Thyme tea can be used for treating upper respiratory tract infections, digestive system problems particularly affecting the stomach, and urinary tract infections. A little-known property of thyme tea is its blood pressure-lowering effect. While this effect poses risk for hypotensive individuals, it can also increase the effectiveness of blood pressure-lowering medications used by hypertension patients, creating a vital risk. It is recommended that hypertension patients avoid thyme tea entirely, and if consumed, it should be taken under specialist supervision, 2 hours after medication."

Ginger tea

A plant frequently used for common cold and stomach-related discomforts, particularly nausea, ginger's lesser-known property is that it significantly increases bile secretion. Therefore, individuals with gallbladder problems should consume ginger and ginger tea under specialist supervision. Because it is frequently used for stomach nausea, ginger tea is a common choice for pregnant women; however, consumption exceeding 1 g can increase miscarriage risk due to its emmenagogue effect. Ginger is also a plant that individuals with clotting disorders must not consume without consulting their physician.

Turmeric tea

Turmeric contains curcumin, a phytochemical with very strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin crosses the blood-brain barrier and shows positive effects in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, while it is also known to reduce symptoms of joint inflammation and provide protection against cancer. However, like ginger, turmeric can increase bile secretion; therefore, patients with gallbladder disease should consume turmeric tea under specialist supervision.

Senna tea

Senna tea can be used for treating constipation and frequently appears in weight-loss teas. However, senna tea can create chronic laziness in the bowels and upon discontinuation, can lead to more severe constipation. Regular consumption exceeding 3 weeks can cause permanent damage to the bowels and may even accelerate tumor formation. Additionally, since senna is a plant that can interact with regularly used medications, if any medication is being taken continuously, it should be consumed only after consulting a physician.

Mate tea

Mate tea, which has grown in popularity in recent years, helps accelerate metabolism due to its high caffeine content while also being known for its diuretic and anti-edema effects. However, due to its high caffeine content, hypertension patients and individuals with heart disease must absolutely avoid consuming it. It is also unsuitable for pregnant women and nursing mothers. For healthy individuals, daily consumption should not exceed 2 cups.

White tea

Nutrition and Dietetics Specialist Ece Öneş states: "White tea, one of the teas with the highest antioxidant capacity, primarily aids digestion. Like green tea and mate tea, it is one of the high-caffeine teas and can lead to palpitations or insomnia. Due to its high caffeine content, it is unsuitable for hypertension and heart patients, pregnant women and nursing mothers. For healthy individuals, daily consumption should not exceed 2 cups."