Nowadays the herbal health drinks market has exploded. There are vitamins and minerals added to many beverages, including water. Herbs have been known to have certain health properties and have been used to help relieve some ailments. Herbs can be anything from rose-hips to flowers such as dandelion.

Tea originally came from the Far East, brought to the rest of the world by the Chinese. At it's simplest it is freshly boiled water infused with herbal leaves. From this humble beginning has grown a massive industry that uses anything from peppermint to chamomile to make teas.

The best way to make the drink is to pour hot water over the teabag while it's in the cup. To extract the herbs from the teabag, leave it in for around five minutes, but not much longer, as it effects the flavor. An alternative is to use loose herbs and infusion teapot, one with a filter that will separate the bits of leaves from the water when you pour.

The use of fresh herbs has taken off because many people grow them in their gardens. If using them to make tea then try to keep to a simple formula of two teaspoons were cup. Dried herbs are a little more pungent so you only need one teaspoon of them. If you're making the drink for kids then you might want to put a bit of honey to sweeten the drink.

Herbal tonics are drinks that are often made with wine. It requires patience but can easily be made at home. The way it's usually made is by taking your herbs - fresh rosemary, sweet cicely and nettle are popular ones - and putting them in a jar with some wine. Make sure you've covered the jar completely and stir with a wooden spoon. Leave the herb and win combo to stand for around four weeks before drinking a little each day.

For those with neither the time nor the inclination to make their own drink then perhaps buying a ready-made one is better. It is important to look for beverages that have no additives, such as coloring or flavoring. Also, try and buy drinks that are produced using only natural ingredients. By doing your research you'll pick a much healthier drink.

Herbal teas have been known to help relieve a wide range of conditions. Things like coughs and colds are said to be relieved by simmering some ginger root in water for around 10 minutes and adding lemon juice and honey. Take out the ginger and serve. Stomach complaints have been treated by giving the complainant some tea infused with peppermint. It's said to help relieve bloated and upset stomachs.

One of the major benefits of herbal health drinks is their lack of caffeine. They can be taken if you have an upset stomach, and are great for soothing the body and mind. In a world where people eat a lot of processed food, it may be comforting to know that something as readily available and natural as herbs can help fight infections and sooth the body and mind.