Despite its name, herbal tea is not actually a true tea like green tea or black tea made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. Instead, it is a mixture of seeds, leaves, spices, bark, and/or root that is steeped in water to release flavors and healing properties.

Since the ingredients are from a variety of plant sources not related to tea or coffee, herbal teas are predominately caffeine-free and offer an alternative uses. Popular herbal teas include peppermint tea for stomach relief, chamomile tea for calming and insomnia, and Rooibos, a red tea that has antioxidant properties that fight disease.