Loose Leaf vs. Tea Bags: Which Is Better + Herbalist Tips | mindbodygreen

If you consult an herbalist for any type of health concern, the chance they pull out a store-bought tea bag as a remedy is pretty low. It's safe to say that most herbalists utilize loose-leaf teas instead—though anything is possible. Still, this raises the question: Is loose-leaf tea truly superior?

Let's compare the two forms of tea with the help of clinical herbalist and author of The Plant Medicine Protocol William Siff, LAc.

Let's start with the travel-friendly grocery store staple: tea bags. The options in the tea aisle tend to be mainly tea bags (in the U.S., that is), but there's a wide variety within this category.

You have the pick of the litter, so to speak. From plain green tea to warming vanilla chai and even benefit-first blends that tout sleep support or hormone balance.

In general, one tea bag has about 1.5 to 3 grams of herbs, Siff says. They tend to be packaged with glue and a staple to secure the herbs within on their journey from the manufacturer to you. Some even come with a little paper tag with an inspirational quote.

Overall, tea bags are widely used for their convenience. But is it worth the ease? Here's the pros and cons.

Now on to loose-leaf tea. Making the leap from tea bags to loose-leaf tea can be intimidating—you'll have to build your collection, learn how long to steep your teas for, where to buy your herbs, and so on.

All of that being said, it's a rewarding venture. Below, the many pros to consider.

So, which is better? To be frank, it depends on your goal. If you are drinking tea for the health benefits or the flavor, loose-leaf tea is certainly the best way to go.

If you know you want to skip the complexity of learning about herbs and putting together a collection, then tea bags will suit your needs just fine. Still, be sure to look for biodegradable tea bags, and use a few tea bags and/or steep your bags for longer if you're seeking specific health benefits or a more potent taste.

Should you want to make the leap into loose-leaf tea, the following tips will help you out:

All in all, loose-leaf tea may be the better option for freshness, flavor, and health-related benefits. However, tea bags remain über travel-friendly and convenient, so do what works best for you. Not sure which teas to sip on first? Consider this list of the best teas for sleep, anxiety, and more.

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