As mentioned, Herbal tea contains no actual tea leaves. That is, no leaves from the plant Camellia sinensus. Different corners of the globe have many different Herbal teas unique to their culture, usually consisting of local herbs and spices and often having tradition rooted in medicine.

Herbal teas are much more medicinal in nature than the other tea types due to the varieties of herbs blended together, being used as a remedy for sickness, or to aid in things ranging from digestion to sleep. Outside of their medical nature, herbal teas are also often used as tea substitutes for a variety of reasons.