The hibiscus shrub is a flowering plant indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions. It produces mainly red flowers, which are used for a wide range of medicinal purposes. Hibiscus flowers are safe to eat directly, but they are more often consumed in jams, jellies and herbal teas.

Drinking green tea does interfere with nutrient absorption. Anti-oxidants such as polyphenols in green tea can bind iron, inhibiting its intestinal absorption. You may also have trouble absorbing vitamin B12.

About 85 percent of all the tea that Americans drink is iced, according to a 2014 report by the Tea Association of the U.S.A. Of the four types of tea – black, green, oolong and white – green displays a definite advantage in antioxidant content.

Ginger tea, made from the steeped roots of the ginger plant, has been used extensively throughout history for its many healing properties. Historically, herbalists have used ginger primarily as a treatment for common digestive complaints such as nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, intestinal pain, flatulence and colic.

Herbal teas have become popular. You can find them in exotic blends, or you can brew your own tea from a specific herb. An herbal tea will have the health effects associated with the herb. For instance, chamomile is a relaxing and calming herb, so a tea made from chamomile may also be calming.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of Americans suffer from some form of a kidney disorder that can be embarrassing, painful or even life threatening.

Tea may have both negative and beneficial effects on digestion. Due to its caffeine content, tea creates a diuretic effect that aids in the removal of bodily waste.

Reach for a cup of tea when your stomach gets upset or bloated after a big meal. A post-prandial cup of herbal tea provides a natural, time-honored remedy for noisy and poofy tummies without the side-effects of manufactured chemical compounds. Try mint, chamomile or ginger.

Questions over the proper way to brew tea can fuel contentious debate. Tea bags or loose-leaf, there is no shortage of arguments and adamant supporters on both sides. When it comes to whether a tea bag should be left in the cup or removed while drinking tea, a partial truce can be declared.

Giving up soft drinks in favor of a warm cup of tea after a meal may help soothe your stomach. Both green and herbal teas can help aid in digestion and reduce or eliminate symptoms, such as bloating and gas. However, some forms of herbal tea may interact with supplements, other herbs and medication.

Black, green and white tea all originate from the Camellia senensis plant. Their differences come from the methods by which they are processed. The flavonoids found in tea, specifically catechins and tannins, have strong antioxidant properties.

If you enjoy a cup of chamomile tea, you are not alone. More than a million cups of chamomile tea are sipped each day, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Scientific research does not substantiate the herbal tea's purported benefits for insomnia, anxiety and indigestion.