Green tea is one of the most well-known drinks in the world. It is made from Camellia sinensis leaves that are fermented and then dried—sometimes powdered too, like Matcha. Green tea has many antioxidants and many health benefits. Millions of people enjoy it for its flavor and health benefits. However, some people cannot drink green tea because they are allergic to it.
How do you get allergic to green tea?
Green tea is a remedy for allergies, but there are a few cases where people can get allergic to it due to its grassy flavor component and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). When someone is allergic to EGCG, they will experience symptoms after drinking green tea. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and include a rash, itching, asthma attacks, and even anaphylaxis. In addition, green tea contains tannins and a little caffeine, and some people are hypersensitive to those two components.
The Closest Green Tea Alternatives
Carqueja (South America), Mayweed, and Lindens (Bulgaria) are other green tea alternatives. Carqueja is a type of tea from South America. It is made from the leaves of a shrub that grows in the Andes. Mayweed is a flowering plant that is found in Europe and Asia. The flowers are used to make tea, and the leaves can be brewed. Finally, Linden (Bulgaria) is a tree that grows in cold climates worldwide.
What is Carqueja Tea?
The Carqueja tree is a green herb with white-yellow flowers endemic to south-central South America. The tree is used as medicine and produces a type of green tea.
Carqueja Tea has a strong flavor and a slightly sweet taste and is used differently. It can be brewed as tea, added to coffee, or used as an ingredient in recipes. Carqueja Tea has been around for centuries and is still popular today.
Health Benefits of Carqueja Tea
According to some studies, Carqueja tea is one of the healthiest teas available. This tea has improved cardiovascular health, alleviated stress, and boosted energy. In addition, several studies have shown that Carqueja has antioxidant activities.
Some other benefits of Carqueja tea include reducing the risk of cancer and diabetes, reducing inflammation, improving cognitive function and memory recall, improving skin quality and reducing wrinkles, and aiding weight loss.
Carqueja is also a medication used to treat pain, gastroenteritis, liver diseases, diarrhea, swelling, water retention, and constipation. In addition, it can help to cleanse the liver and improve blood circulation.
What is Mayweed Tea?
Mayweed tea is a type of herbal tea made from the leaves and flowers of mayweed, a common wildflower in North America. The tea has a sweet flavor and is used as an alternative to green tea. Mayweed is a perennial herb in the family Asteraceae. It is native to North America but can be found in other parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and South America. Mayweed can be used as a substitute for green tea in recipes. In particular, mayweed has been used as an herbal tea for its purported health benefits, such as aiding weight loss or reducing inflammation. The common name for Mayweed is Chamomile.
Health Benefits of Mayweed Tea
Mayweed has been used as an herbal medication for centuries in North America. The health benefits of mayweed tea include reducing inflammation, improving cardiovascular health, and helping to detoxify the body. Some research suggests that mayweed may also help prevent cancer.
What is Linden Tea?
The Linden tree is part of the Tilia genus, native to the Northern Hemisphere. It is called Linden when the tree is grown in Europe, while it is called basswood when grown in North America. There are also many Linden Trees in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. The Linden trees there exude a sweet scent because of their small yellow flowers. Linden tea is made by brewing its dried flowers, leaves, and bark.
There are many ways to make tea from the linden tree. One way is to use a teabag. Another way is to fill a pot with fresh, cold water and add about one teaspoon of loose-leaf linden tea per cup. Bring the water to a boil, cool a bit, and then pour it over the desired amount of linden leaves. Steep for about 2–3 minutes, or until the leaves are fully brewed.
Health benefits of Linden Tea
Since ancient times, people have been drinking Linden tea for its health benefits. The essential oils and vitamins found in Linden tea can reduce fever. Linden tea also has several sedative properties that can assist with falling asleep, reducing anxiety, and calming restless nerves. Also, Linden tea has the antioxidant Quercetin, which fights inflammation.
Linden tea has been shown to effectively relieve pain, mainly pain related to heat, skin irritations, menstrual cramps, and muscle and joint spasms. Another benefit is that its bud extracts can help reduce anxiety and stress. It can also lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension.
What are Some Other Tea Alternatives?
Many different types of tea can be substituted for one another in various recipes or drinks. Some popular alternatives to tea include oolong and pu-erh. Each has its own unique flavor and health benefits that may be appealing to some drinkers. Coffee is a natural substitute for black tea since it has caffeine, but coffee can also be made with various flavors such as chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut. Pu-erh can be a good substitute for either coffee or black tea, depending on what type of pu-erh they are drinking. Black and White Tea also came from Camelia Sinensis, as did green tea, so it is not recommended unless the person is not allergic to these teas.
While green tea is an excellent choice for many people, it may not be suitable for everyone. Several other teas offer similar health benefits and taste great too. What is important is to drink and eat moderately. If rashes appear or you feel unwell, stop and see a physician. Enjoy your tea, and it will surely make you healthier and feel better.
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About the author
Kei Nishida
Author, CEO Dream of Japan
Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science
Education: Western Washington University
Kei Nishida is a Japanese green tea enthusiast, a writer, and the founder and CEO of Japanese Green Tea Co., a Dream of Japan Company. His passion for introducing America to the tea of his homeland was the catalyst for creating the only company that brings high-quality tea from Arahataen Green Tea Farms to the rest of the world. Learn more about Kei
