Delicious Herbal Teas – Physical Benefits

The people of China became enchanted with tea more than 5000 years ago for the multitude of physical benefits.. According to legend, Shen Nung, a skilled early Emperor, decreed that all water be boiled as a hygienic precaution and one summer day while visiting a distant province, while his servants were boiling water some dried leaves from a bush fell in the water, And, you know the rest of the story. Herbal teas can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove. The mixture is then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served. Many companies produce herbal tea bags for such infusions.

Anise tea: Anise has long been used by western cuisines as a moderately poplar herb. In some sensitive individuals, anise can cause inflammatory skin conditions, including rosacea and acne. Large doses of anise can also act as a narcotic in the system. So anise tea is best taken in moderation. Anise Tea makes an excellent expectorant as it helps loosen phlegm in the throat and lungs. It is good for people with colds, pneumonia, bronchitis and sinusitis. Anis tea make help enhance a mother’s mild, It may help with colic. It can be effective in treatment of an upset stomach and may reduce flatulence. Anise seeds can also be steeped in boiling water at home to produce a natural mouthwash; many mouthwashes and tooth pastes sold in natural foods stores also contain anise. Anise tea may help get rid of hiccups. Anise contains trans-anethole, a phytoestrogen, which gives it the strong fragrance.. It is a mild anti-parasitic and its leaves can be used to treat digestive problems, relieve toothache and its essential oil to treat live and scabies. It can also be used for menstrual cramps.

Chai tea:  It has steadily grown in popularity over the past decade. According to ancient Indian health practices, the deliberate mix of spices helps to calm the mind and revitalize the spirit. In addition, Chai is said to promote healthy digestion. There are several teas made using the Chia leaf along with other ingredients, such as fennel, anise, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, etc.

Chamomile tea:  It comes from the Nile River Valley of Egypt. It promotes calmness and relieves anxiety. It is also used fro insomnia, back pain, rheumatism, and neuralgia. It also calms nervous stomach and menstrual cramps. It can be used externally for reducing inflammation of the skin, soothing hemorrhoids and to relieve a toothache. It can be mixed with bittersweet and used as an ointment to rubbed on the skin to treat bruises, calluses, corns and sprains. This caffeine free herbal is delicious. If you are allergic to ragweed, however, you should avoid this tea

Echinaea tea:  It is one of the most popular herbs in America coming from the Native American medicinal plant called Echinacea. The Indians have used this for 400 years to treat infections and wounds, and as a general cure-all. It has been used to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. Echinacea Tea may be used to supply the boost required to maintain the body's resistance to infection, to mend injured tissue, and to stimulate healthy body functioning. It can be used to treat the common cold, sore throats, influenza and it has antiseptic properties hence it can be used to treat septicemia and other blood impurities.

Fennel tea:  It is a traditional element of Chinese, Arab, Indian and Western pharmacopoeias due to the health benefits imparted over the centuries. It comes from the fennel seeds that are a common cooking spice. The main active constituents of fennel, which include the terpenoid anethole, are found in its volatile oil. Fennel tea can aid in treatment of dyspepsias such as mild, spastic gastrointestinal afflictions, fullness and flatulence. It can fight catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. It helps in stimulating milk flow in women. It also acts as a antispasmodic and it has been shown to prossess diuretic, choleretic and pain-reducing, fever-reducing and antimicrobial actions

Ginger tea: It has a wonderful aroma is fantastic on a cold winter day. Prized for its healing properties and for adding flavor to dishes, this ordinary looking brown spice has been used for ages in eastern cultures. It’s this very fiery characteristic of the ginger root that gives it much of its medicinal properties, both in its dried as well as raw form. The dried ginger root is a thermogenic, an expectorant, laxative, appetizer, stimulant, as well as an effective cure for stomach disorders. Hence, the dried ginger root is ground and used to cure a whole range of ailments like coughs, colds, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammations of the joints, flatulence, motion sickness, colic, cholera, asthma, headaches, and even anorexia.

The active ingredients in ginger oil are oleoresin and terpenes, which are responsible for its lymph cleansing, antiseptic, mild constipation relief, and circulation-stimulating qualities extensively in aromatherapy. An essential oil is extracted from steam distilling the unpeeled, dried and ground ginger root. According to research it has been found to cause absorption of cholesterol in the liver and blood, thereby lowering blood cholesterol.

Furthermore, the ginger blocks the effects of prostaglandin, which is a substance that is responsible for the inflammation of the blood vessels inside the brain, which is what causes migraine. Ginger’s property of being a digestive aid is largely due to the shogoals and gingerols that it contains. These help to neutralize the acids in the stomach, stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, and tone the digestive tract’s muscles. Ginger tea has been used as a remedy against flu and colds for centuries, both in India and China, as well as other countries in the east. According to Chinese culture, its powerful yang energy is what warms the lungs and stomach. Ginger tea has been used in China for 2,500 years to treat sore throat, nasal congestion, and sinus pain. There are several ways people like to drink ginger tea, one with a fresh 2” piece of ginger with lemon slice and honey. Lemongrass added to the tea with a piece of fresh ginger root is also popular.

Green tea: Green tea is extremely popular. More than 500 studies have been conducted in recent years to determine the potential health benefits of green tea, which is probably the best known and most popular herbal tea. Green tea has a high content of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B and C, plus magnesium, potassium and manganese. Scientific findings have linked green tea consumption to the slowing or prevention of conditions including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired immune disease and liver disease. Some studies indicate that tea may have cancer-fighting properties for the bladder, colon, esophageal, stomach and pancreas. The health benefits of green tea have been proven to prevent tooth decay and aid in dieting, which is linked to rich concentration of catechin polyphelosls.. A 25 year study of people drinking more than 8.5 oz. of tea daily has a lower risk of heart disease. Several studies have shown a lower cholesterol level with this amount of consumption. Scientist at Case Western found that in mice teas decrease the onset and severity of arthritis.

Peppermint tea: It has menthol as its active ingredient. It helps ease diarrhea, headaches and colic in babies. It contains B vitamins, calcium and potassium. It is known to promote digestion and help prevent gall stones. It soothes the lining of the stomach, thus preventing cramps.

Rooibos tea:  It grows in the mountains and valleys of South Africa. This tea was unheard of for centuries except to a tribe of Southern African Bushmen. They used this tea for a variety of ailments. It was rediscovered in 1772 by a botanist and it’s enjoyed by many. It is becoming more popular in the Western countries particularly among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants such aspalathin and nothofaing. Roobios also contains a number of phenolic compounds, including flavanols, flavones, flavanones, and dihydrochalcones. Rooibos is purported to assist with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems

White teas:  Its benefits have become more recently known. It is a delicate tasting brew with natural properties that can naturally boost the immune system, prevent dental plaque build-up, possibly provide colon cancer protection and helps guard against skin cell damage. It’s possible that white tea can be used to treat some forms of skin cancer and serve as an agent in cosmetics to protect against signs of aging from damaged skin

Wu-long (oolong tea):  It originated in China and is a fruity medium bodied tea. It is recognized as the most fragrant. There are different types of Oolong tea graded according to the harvest season, handling and the quality of the leaves. Oolong tea has more polyphenols than black or green tea varieties. Polyphenols have strong antioxidant properties to help protect against a variety of health conditions and diseases. In addition, they help improve the metabolism to facilitate weight loss and promote healthier skin. A cup of oolong had about half the caffeine of a cup of coffee.

There are many more types of teas consumed but I attempted to limit the lit to some of the more popular herbal remedies.

The copyright to this article is owned by Pamela Oglesby. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.