The health benefits from tea start with the prominence of antioxidants, called flavonoids. Tea is the perfect source for epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is the strongest of flavonoids. EGCD has been shown to fight harmful free radicals in your body that can potentially lead to heart disease, cancer and other life-threatening complications. But there are also a great number of teas that can help you treat less serious, yet more common health problems. Let’s go over 4 ailments that can tea can start helping you with today.   1. Common Allergies – peppermint, green, nettle teas Tea has been proven to help ease the troublesome symptoms of seasonal allergies, including sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, itchy eyes and more. Although severe allergies will require a visit to your doctor, teas are a great way to battle milder cases. The menthol elements of peppermint tea will work wonders to clear up your sinuses and green tea has been shown to fight allergic reactions. Nettle tea contains antihistamine properties which will work to prevent symptoms from cropping up in the first place!   2. Trouble Sleeping – chamomile, valerian root teas Teas containing chamomile and valerian root teas are great natural sleep aids. Chamomile has always been associated with both reducing anxiety and helping with sleep. However, valerian root contains components that work as a sedative. Avoid using this tea frequently, as your body can become dependent on it to sleep!   3. Stomach Issues – ginger, peppermint, chamomile teas Have some nausea? Go with ginger tea. Ginger’s chemical components can aide general stomach pain. Oils from peppermint work to calm down upset stomachs and can aide those with irritable bowel syndrome. Chamomile works to fight muscle spasms and ease digestion troubles. It has also been shown to reduce gas and heartburn.   4. Stress and Anxiety – chamomile, black, green teas Chamomile tea is caffeine free and has been proven to reduce anxiety and calm you down. Green and black tea do have caffeine, but interestingly they also contain an amino acid called L-theanine, which  has been shown to decrease stress and even improve focus!   The benefits of drinking tea are undeniable. Add tea to your diet and you will greatly increase your mental and physical health levels.   By Pat DeRiso Sources: yahoo.com, webmd.com, Wikipedia.com