Herbal teas are actually not true teas. True teas are beverages made using the leaves of the tea plant known by the botanical name Camellia sinensis. The true teas consist of green tea, black tea, oolong tea, pu-erh tea, and white tea. 

All other teas (herbal teas) are made using the leaves, roots, and flowers of different plants. Tea companies tend to blend herbal teas with true teas in order to create what's known as “flavored teas”.