Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of a Value-Added Herbal Tea from Vernonia cinerea and Zingiber officinale as a Potent Health-Promoting Beverage

The promising therapeutic efficacy of Monarakudumbiya (Vernonia cinerea), a medicinal herb widely used in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka, has significant potential for use as a herbal tea, primarily due to its numerous health benefits. V. cinerea exhibits various pharmacological activities, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which can be attributed to its rich phytochemical profile, comprising flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. The current study focuses on the development of a value-added herbal tea formulation, which includes V. cinerea as the primary ingredient and ginger (Zingiber officinale) as a secondary, value-added natural ingredient. The herbal tea blend was optimized during the formulation process to enhance its palatability, chemical composition, and phytochemical content. Phytochemical analysis revealed higher concentrations of phenols, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds, which contribute to the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the herbal tea blend. The total phenolic content (TPC) was slightly higher in the value-added herbal tea compared to the extract from dried V. cinerea leaves; whereas, the total flavonoid content (TFC) showed a significant enhancement in the formulation. However, both TPC and TFC were accompanied by a marked decrease in residue. The herbal tea exhibited a strong free radical scavenging activity, as evidenced by its low IC₅₀ value in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, indicating the effective ability to reduce oxidative stress. The addition of Z. officinale not only enhanced phenolic content but also introduced complementary bioactive components with anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Together, the synergistic properties of V. cinerea and Z. officinale make this herbal tea a potent health-promoting beverage, promoting immunity and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.