Studies have shown that tea can help us recover from various illnesses and even lose weight and prolong life. As someone who became addicted to tea after traveling to England, I found this guide to be extremely helpful for the body, as well as taste. This is your guide to exactly what different teas you should drink depending on what you’re looking for in health.

1. Chamomile

This is possibly the most beneficial of all teas, depending on what you’re looking for. This should be your go-to tea for stomach aches and if you just need to feel healthier in general. Chamomile tea also prolongs life in women, naturally stabilizes diabetes, and has moisturizing properties to help with skincare. This tea will also calm muscle spasms and aches, so it is extremely beneficial to drink before and after working out!

2. Green Tea

This particular tea is among my favorites, (admittedly, there are a lot of them, but still), mainly because of the variety and health benefits. Over the summer I partook in a diet program where I drank a glass of green tea with every meal for its digestive properties. And let me tell you, I lost some weight just from drinking this alone. It has polyphenols (these are much like antioxidants) and they help not only to protect you from diseases and aging, they protect cells and molecules from damage, so it really does help you from the inside out. Being a psychology major, this tea really holds a special place for me because it has natural stimulants that promote brain function and focus. The stimulants also increase mood and memory. So if you’re tired before a test or class, drink some green tea to get back into the swing of things!

3. Black Tea

On the other side of things, black tea is also extremely beneficial to your health, both cognitive and physically. It reduces stress and helps you to relax. Any anxiety can be calmed through moderate amounts of black tea. It also helps our immune system with commonly found viruses such as the flu. In the long run, black tea also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by drinking one or two glasses a day. Also, this tea will help reduce the amount of plaque buildup and bacteria growth. Your dentist will thank you!

4. Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey has a large amount of potassium, which in turn helps to keep the body hydrated and keeps up your potassium levels without all those bananas! If you are ever down and out with a cold, this is definitely your tea. There is bergamot within the tea which cures fevers and boost the immune system. Within this, it helps to lower triglyceride levels, which will lower your cholesterol and help your heart to be healthy throughout your whole life, if taken regularly. In addition to the high potassium levels, Earl Grey also includes a citrus extract. It is a known fact that any citrus fruit can help with weight loss, so this is also a way to avoid the fruit and still gain the benefits by absorbing it in your tea, promoting weight loss. This tea also helps to fight depression and anxiety due to the aromatherapy qualities. It also helps digestion and nausea. This really helps when you are nervous and feeling sick to your stomach.

5. Peppermint Tea

This tea really has proven to help digestion and nausea, much like Earl Grey. It reduces cramps and bloating by lining the muscles and helping them to become relaxed. The peppermint oil and scent of the tea itself reduces hunger, which will help with weight loss as well. As most teas, it helps to reduce stress and anxiety, letting your mind relax. A warning with this tea, however. It has a high content of menthol which can be an allergen to some people.

Brewing tea is a natural way to help your immune system and other health properties, which can really help in the long run of your life. If you ever need to reduce stress, anxiety, or gain energy and focus, refer to this list and hopefully it helps you as much as it helped me bring tea into my life every day!