PROFILING LOCAL PLANT-BASED INFUSIONS IN BURKINA FASO: TECHNOLOGICAL, PHYSICO-CHEMICAL, AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Keywords:
Herbal teas, medicinal plants, health benefits, tea infusion, global consumption.Abstract
Throughout history, plants have held significant value worldwide for their medicinal properties, with herbal teas emerging as a prominent avenue for harnessing their benefits. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the development and consumption of herbal teas, driven by growing awareness of their health-promoting attributes. Herbal teas, long revered for their healing properties since ancient times, continue to play a vital role in global healthcare practices, particularly in developing countries where approximately 70 to 80% of the population relies on plant-based medicines. Tea infusion, ranked second only to water in worldwide beverage consumption, serves as a ubiquitous vehicle for delivering the therapeutic benefits of medicinal plants. Herbal teas encompass a diverse array of aqueous preparations derived from whole medicinal plants or specific plant organs, categorized into simple teas for daily consumption and complex teas tailored for therapeutic use. The market offers a wide variety of tea infusions, including black, white, green, and natural plant-based teas, catering to diverse preferences and health needs.
