Milk Tea vs Caffeine-Free Herbal Teas: Which Is Better for Your Health

As early as the 1st century BC, Ayurvedic physician Charaka explains why kasaya – herbal decoctions – were preferred as healing potions. In the treatise Charaka Samhita, he states that ‘kasaya’ enters the body’s channels gently, kindles digestion and dissolves ama (toxins) without burdening the system. Herbal teas were thus known and valued in India long before the British brought in ‘regular’ tea in the mid-19th century. Read on to understand the difference between regular milk tea and caffeine-free herbal tea.

What Is Milk Tea?

Milk tea is made from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant, with added milk. The milk softens the taste of the brew and creates a creamy texture. This tea is enjoyed worldwide in many forms:

• Bubble Tea: Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, this tea contains milk and chewy tapioca pearls – making it more like a dessert.
• Hong Kong Milk Tea: Prepared with evaporated milk, this beverage is traditionally brewed using a reusable fabric infuser called a ‘tea sock’
• Tea Latte: A creamy drink made by combining brewed tea with steamed milk, popular in Western countries. 
• Thai Iced Tea: A combination of black tea, condensed and evaporated milk, sugar, and spices, this tea is often sold as a powdered mix.
• Masala Chai: India’s traditional spiced milk tea is made by simmering black tea with milk, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger and other spices.
• British Milk Tea: The country's ubiquitous beverage is sometimes served with milk. Often prepared by adding milk first, then pouring the tea over it to preserve flavour.
  

What Are Caffeine-Free Herbal Teas?

Herbal teas are infusions made from herbs, flowers, roots, seeds or spices. Steeped in hot water, the active principle of the herbs infuses into the water. Easy to digest and caffeine-free, herbal teas are suitable even for those with poor agni (digestive fire). They are often formulated to pacify aggravated doshas (internal bio-energies), support digestion, aid detoxification and promote overall health.

Is Milk Tea Good for Health?

From an Ayurvedic perspective, excessive consumption of milk tea can overstimulate the nervous system and disturb Vata and Pitta Doshas. Caffeine in tea can increase anxiety, restlessness and digestive disturbances.

Caffeine Stimulation and Sleep Disturbance

Caffeine is a stimulant that impacts sleep by blocking adenosine* receptors, disturbing the body’s natural sleep cycles. Over time, this can lead to insomnia. Consuming more than two cups of tea a day – especially close to bedtime - is likely to disrupt sleep. 
(*Adenosine is a natural compound that builds up in the body during the day and creates sleep pressure.)

Sugar and Digestive Impact 

Milk tea is often had with sugar, which increases its caloric and glycaemic load. Excess sugar may impact digestion and aggravate Kapha.

Reduced Iron Absorption

Tea contains flavonoids (plant proteins), which may interfere with iron absorption by blocking other proteins that help iron intake. Over time, this may lead to iron deficiency, causing weakness, fatigue and anaemia.

Digestive Heaviness and Heartburn

The combination of sugar, caffeine and milk may worsen acid reflux symptoms. It may also cause digestive discomfort, bloating, or gas. Research indicates that excessive caffeine may increase acid production in the stomach and relax the lower oesophageal sphincter. This allows acid to move upwards, causing acid reflux, heartburn and frequent burping.

Caffeine Dependence

Regular and excessive consumption of milk tea may lead to caffeine dependence. Since caffeine is not an essential nutrient, this can lead to health problems. Over time, it may result in withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and irritability when intake is reduced.

Health Benefits of Herbal Teas

• Provides Dosha Specific Support: Herbal teas work gently to boost the body’s natural processes without harsh stimulation. Ayurveda recommends particular herbs based on individual dosha inclinations.
  Best herbs for Vata balance: Herbs such as ginger, liquorice, fennel, cinnamon and ashwagandha support digestion, calm nerves and reduce dryness.
  Best herbs for Pitta balance: Sweet, mildly bitter and cooling herbs such as mint, coriander, rose, fennel, and liquorice help reduce excess heat.
  Best herbs for Kapha balance: Stimulating herbs such as ginger, turmeric, black pepper and clove are recommended to stimulate metabolism and relieve congestion.
  
• Boosts Immunity: Tulsi herbal tea is considered to be adaptogenic and helps balance all the doshas. It is likely to help boost immune health and respiratory function while reducing stress.
  
• Supports Detoxification: Triphala – made from three fruits, Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki - is used extensively in Ayurveda for digestive health. It helps balance Apana Vata (subtype of Vata Dosha), detoxifies the colon and regulates bowel movements.
  
• Improves Digestion: Ginger tea is traditionally used to improve digestion, reduce bloating, and ease congestion. It should be consumed cautiously by Pitta-dominant individuals.
  

Milk Tea vs Herbal Tea — Key Differences 

Best Herbal Teas for Specific Needs

• Pure Cleanse Tea: Contains gokshura, anantmool, amalaki, ginger  - helps cleanse bodily channels.
• Vata Tea: Has liquorice, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom – balances Vata.
• Pitta Tea: Made of ginger, cardamom, and rose petals, the tea helps soothe and cool. 
• Kapha Tea: This blend of ginger, clove, turmeric and saffron helps balance Kapha.
• Active Women: Herbs like shatavari and Ashoka in the infusion help balance hormones, while fennel and liquorice soothe and balance Vata and Pitta.

Best Herbal Teas for Specific Needs

Teas for Digestion 

• Tulsi Lemon Ginger Tea: The digestive herbs in this blend - tulsi, lemon, ginger and lemongrass - promote digestive harmony, balance doshas and strengthen immunity against seasonal illness. 
• Cinnamon: This spice has deepana (appetiser), pachana (digestive), and carminative (relieves gas) properties.
• Ginger: Helps boost appetite and is digestive, antioxidant and antimicrobial in nature. As per Ayurveda, the herb acts as a aamdoshahara (toxin remover). Lemon, added to ginger, helps secrete digestive juices.
• Peppermint: Acts as an appetiser and helps in digestion, easing flatulence and belching.
• Turmeric: It is anti-inflammatory in nature.
• Tulsi Green Tea: An antioxidant blend that detoxifies, energises, and boosts metabolism.
• Rama Tulsi: With bright green leaves, this herb has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that help fight seasonal illness.
• Krishna Tulsi: The ‘Dark Tulsi’, with dark green or purple leaves, helps relieve stress and calms the mind.
• Vana Tulsi: The aromatic herb helps boost immunity.
• Rama, Vana, and Krishna Tulsi: Inspired by Ayurveda, this special blend provides strong antioxidant benefits and boosts energy gently. Infused with antioxidant-rich green tea, it further enhances metabolism and supports detoxification.
  

Calming Teas (Chamomile, Rose, Hibiscus)

• Blissful Tea: This tea helps to calm the agitated mind and improve sleep quality.
  Ingredients include:
  Chamomile: Known to support natural rest.
  Lemongrass: Helps balance doshas (bio-energies).
  Valerian Root: Believed to soothe the mind and promote sleep.
  Lavender: Known for its calming aroma and soothing energy.
• Honey Chamomile Tea: This is made from herbs that help calm the mind, enhance mental balance, and promote sleep.
  Ingredients include:
  Chamomile: The ‘wonder herb,’ known for its stress-relieving and calming properties.
  Honey: Rich in tryptophan, which supports relaxation and sleep; also boosts metabolism and promotes detoxification.
  Brahmi: A medhya rasayana (brain rejuvenator), Brahmi helps improve mental clarity and focus.
  Fennel: This cooling Ayurvedic herb aids digestion and enhances taste.
  Liquorice: A natural sweetener. 
• Rose Hibiscus Tea: As per Ayurveda, this unique blend of cooling and uplifting herbs helps balance heat and relax the mind. The combination also supports heart health and strengthens the nervous system. 
  Ingredients include:
  Rose: The ‘king of flowers’ is soothing and uplifts moods. 
  Hibiscus: An antioxidant-rich herb, it has cardiotonic and neuro-tonic properties.
  Fennel: The cooling Ayurvedic herb enhances taste.
  Chamomile: A ‘wonder herb’ known for its stress-relieving and calming properties.
  

When to Choose Milk Tea vs Herbal Tea

Ayurveda generally recommends herbal teas over milk teas and other caffeinated beverages. Here’s how you may regulate your tea consumption.

• Morning: You may kick-start the day with milk tea. Avoid taking it on an empty stomach to prevent acidity. 
• After heavy meals: Avoid milk tea as it may interfere with protein absorption. (Opt for herbal tea.)
• Evening: Around 4 pm, milk tea may be taken with a small snack. 
• Night: Avoid milk tea at night as it is a stimulant and may interfere with sleep. End the day with a cup of calming herbal tea.

FAQS

1. Is milk tea unhealthy?

Ayurveda does not recommend milk tea as it is a stimulant containing caffeine. The beverage aggravates Vata, and excess consumption is likely to cause acidity, interfering with nutrient absorption.

2. Does herbal infusion contain caffeine?

No, as it is an infusion of herbs/spices bearing the properties of these botanicals. 

3. Which tea is best for digestion?

Herbal tea, which has herbs or spices that act as natural digestives – these include ginger tea and blends of ginger-lemon and coriander-fennel-cumin.

4. Can herbal tea replace milk tea?

Yes, herbal tea is a healthier caffeine-free option, unless individual health issues suggest otherwise. (But note that no herbal infusion should be consumed daily.)