Health Benefits of Tea

Hibiscus Tea
There are over 200 species of hibiscus flowers, in a variety of beautiful colors, that belong in the family Malvaceae. They are native to warm, tropical and subtropical regions around the world but can be grown almost anywhere in pots (if kept warm during cold months).

Hibiscus tea has been enjoyed by many for hundreds of years as a relaxing refreshment and as a herbal remedy to treat ailments.

Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
Blood Pressure

Studies have shown hibiscus tea to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure and may control cholesterol.

One study was done using adults with pre-hypertension or mild hypertension. Those who had three cups of hibiscus tea a day had better results than those who didn't (a 7.2 point drop in systolic blood pressure compared to 1.3 points). Those who had the highest blood pressure reading at the start of the study, showed the greatest results.

Weight Loss

Hibiscus tea contains an enzyme inhibitor which blocks the production of amylase. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down complex sugars and starches. Drinking a cup of hibiscus tea after meals will reduce the absorption of dietary carbohydrates and will assist in weight loss.

Immune System

Hibiscus tea is rich in vitamin C and makes a wonderful herbal remedy to fight off colds and infections by strengthening the immune system.

Other benefits of hibiscus tea include preventing bladder infections and constipation if taken regularly.

Preparing Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea can be made with fresh or dried hibiscus flowers and can be served hot or cold.

Preparing hibiscus tea:
•Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 4 whole flowers or 2 tablespoons of dried flower petals.
•Cover and steep for 10-15 minutes.
•Strain.
•Add a little honey, lemon juice, or an orange peel to add extra flavor to your hibiscus tea.
Another way to prepare hibiscus tea:

•Soak dried hibiscus flowers in water for 2 days (no boiling required).
•Strain.
To get the best benefits of hibiscus tea, store flowers in a cool, dry place.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/18697.aspx#ixzz0zef1MxTd

Chinese Green Tea



How do you fit a miracle in a cup?

Dating back more than 4,000 years, Hong Kong green tea has been long revered as a tasty drink that can ward off diseases and improve one’s well-being.

Since its first recorded use during the time of Emperor Shen Nung, the link between tea and good health has never been severed.

It’s been used as treatment for everything from headaches to depression. Today, various health benefits of Chinese tea are constantly being reported and many scientists are now focusing their attention on the simple, yet elegantly profound beverage that is Green tea.
Where Green Tea Comes From



Like all three of the major Asian teas in the market, Chinese green tea comes from the plant called Carmellia sinensis. Much of the health benefits of Hong Kong green tea diets owe to the steaming method of making it.

As opposed to black and oolong tea which undergoes full oxidization, green tea is only gently steamed, preserving the natural antioxidants in its original form.

The antioxidants in Chinese tea helps fight away free radicals. These free radicals are the major contributing factors to aging as well as the ensuing degeneration of cells as a result of it.

Scientists have reason to believe that free radicals also play a role in various degenerative diseases such as arthritis, rheumatism, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer.
A Drink Steeped With Tradition



According to tradition, Green tea could cure anything from headaches, body aches, and pains to constipation and depression. Over the centuries, further more health claims are made on account of Chinese green tea.

Hong Kong green tea is said to increase the blood flow throughout the body. Because tea contains a little caffeine, ingesting this drink stimulates the heart and allows the blood to flow more freely through the blood vessels.

For the same reason that Chinese tea stimulates blood flow, it also stimulates mental clarity.

Green tea detoxifies the body. The presence of polyphenols, a naturally occurring antioxidant in Chinese green tea, the beverage is said to combat harmful free radicals and help keep the body free from diseases.

In this regard, Hong Kong green tea helps maintain the overall well-being of the body. Antioxidants in tea can boost immunity, preserve young-looking skin, and brighten the eyes.

Chinese tea aids in digestion and banishes fatigue. Green tea is also said to prolong the lifespan.



For many years, men of science remained skeptical about the health claims made by Chinese green tea enthusiasts.

Their doubt was changed to a more positive reception when subsequent researchers proved the disease-preventing attributes of Hong Kong green tea and confirmed most of the health claims.
Is Chinese Green Tea The Secret to Longevity?



That just might be.
The role of Chinese green tea in promoting longevity has been investigated upon by many researchers.
They found the premise of their study on observing that Japanese women who are greater-than-average green tea drinkers; have lower mortality rates compared to others.
This led the researchers to believe that tea has “a protective factor against premature death.”
The polyphenols found in green tea may be held accountable. With its high amount of polyphenols, green tea seems to have a stimulating effect on the immune system.
Stronger immune system as a result of drinking tea helps reduce risks of acquiring any illnesses.

Green Tea's Health Benefits


Fighting Cancer With Chinese Green Tea



There are many health benefits associated with drinking green tea. One of these tea drinking benefits is preventing cancer.

Certain substances present in green tea diets are said to help destroy cancer cells without harming any neighboring tissues.

The substance in green tea associated with these properties is called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG.

In the 1994 edition of the Journal of National Cancer Institute, the results of an epidemiological study stated that one of the health benefits of drinking green tea is the reduction of the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by up to 60%.
The University of Purdue has also concluded research on how certain compounds present in green tea can stop cancer cells from growing.

A Healthy Drink to a Healthy Heart



Study after study has shown drinking Chinese green tea and eating polyphenol-rich foods can reduce the risks of heart disease.

Drinking green tea also helps strengthen the blood vessels that provide oxygen and valuable nutrients to the heart and brain.

It has been shown that men who drink Chinese green tea have 75 percent less possibility of having a stroke than those who don’t drink this tea.

Green tea helps lower total cholesterol levels and improve the ratio between LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
Study shows that men who drink nine or more cups of green tea daily have lower cholesterol levels than those who drink fewer than two cups.

Green Tea And Lowering Your Cholesterol



Obesity has become one of the major health issues in our society today. In fact, more than half of the American population is overweight or obese.

As a result, diet and weight loss plans have become increasingly popular. But not all diet plans work. And not all of them are necessarily risk-free.

A safer alternative for people wanting to lose weight are diets involving green tea.
Chinese green tea can be a potential cure to obesity. The catechin polyphenols present in the tea slow down the reaction of gastric and pancreatic lipases in the body.
These enzymes are actually responsible for the convertion of calories in the body into fats. By delaying these enzymes, green tea can stop fat from being stored and help prevent obesity in people.
Green tea also has the ability to lower cholesterol levels and improve the ratio between good (HDL) cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol.
The EGCG in the tea can stop the formation of abnormal blood clots, which are a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Other Health Benefits From Chinese Tea



Green tea has always been known to have several health benefits, but who knew that it could contribute to weight loss as well?
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that green tea extract can increase metabolism and fat oxidation in the body.
In theory, scientists believe weight loss benefits of green tea extracts are due to the caffeine content, however the results of the study show that green tea extracts have weight loss benefits well beyond that of just the caffeine.
In their study, researchers dispensed the same amount of caffeine as in green tea extracts, but discovered it didn't make significant changes in the body’s overall energy ussage.
This led to the conclusion green tea has additional ingredients that actively interact with each other which increase metabolism and fat oxidation.
Further research seems to indicate a certain compound found in green tea might be what causes weight loss.
These compounds in the tea, called Flavonoids, may alter how the body uses norepinephrine, a hormone that monitors how calories are burned.
When flavonoids interact with other ingredients in green tea, more calories are burned and that gets you more weight loss.
Other ingredients actively contributing to the weight loss benefits of green tea are catechin polyphenols.
These compounds interact with the other ingredients in Chinese green tea and promote weight loss through thermogenesis.
The best part about the weight loss benefits of green tea are the lack of any adverse side-effects. Unlike other herbal products like ephedra and prescription drugs for obesity, green tea does not increase heart rates or raise blood pressure.
Now, it also appears that green tea may act as a mild appetite-suppressant because of the presence of caffeine.
Caffeine in excessive amounts can cause heart palpitations, hypertension, and insomnia. However, green tea contains only low levels of caffeine, so the chance of experiencing these side-effects is minimal.
Chinese green tea is an effective and much safer alternative to other weight loss products which can cause harm to you.
A study conducted by the University of Geneva on the weight loss benefit of green tea found that it can also help thyroid patients.
According to dietitian Lynn Moss, M.S., R.D., green tea is a healthier choice for people with thyroid conditions who are sensitive to stimulants.
The tea can promote weight loss by increasing metabolism without over stimulating the adrenal glands.

Green Tea And Weight Loss



Chinese green tea is a great alternative for people on weight loss program because it can help lead to a healthier lifestyle.

For instance, instead of drinking coffee and cream which are high in calories and saturated fat,a green tea weight loss program can reduce you calorie intake and lead to consuming more healthyl substances like polyphenols and flavonoids.

Green tea also contains a small amount of caffeine, a key substance used in most weight loss programs because of its appetite-suppressant properties.

Other studies show a green tea diet can help reduce fat by controlling the effects of insulin.

Insulin is responsible for converting glucose into energy for the body to be stored into fat.

By controlling insulin, green tea weight loss programs enable sugar to be sent directly to the muscles for use, which can help prevent fats from being stored in the body.

Green tea in weight loss programs can also promote thermogenesis, the process where the body burns fat and releases calories.

This process is brought on by the interaction of the caffeine and catechin polyphenols, both present in the tea.

And this helps explain why weight loss programs based on green tea are an effective way to stimulate metabolic rates.

No supplement or weight loss program can work miracles, however studies indicate green tea has many benefits in store for those using it in a weight loss program.

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http://naturessecret.blogspot.com/

WOW thanks sis this is good reading as well. It covers different areas in health and wellness. Thanks

mashaAllah.

Anise Tea Health Benefits


Anise is one of the oldest spices known to mankind. A plant native to Egypt, anise is part of the Umbelliferae group, which also includes cumin, fennel, caraway and dill. Anise has long been used for its medicinal as well as its culinary properties. Romans used anise and its cousins to flavor cake that they ate after large meals to improve digestion.

In fact, many cultures make anise flavored liqueurs that are consumed with meals, since the essential oil in anise assists digestion, eliminates gas and helps ease unpleasant intestinal cramps. As both an expectorant and an antispasmodic, anise tea is effective in treating bronchial ailments, coughs with mucus and respiratory congestion.

Due to its milk stimulating effect, anise is also taken by nursing mothers to boost lactation. Lastly, the herb's antimicrobial agents make it a useful remedy for head lice.

Preparation of the Tea

Crush the anise seeds using a rolling pin or a mortar and pestle right before brewing. This breaks the seed casings and allows more of the spice's components to get into the tea infusion. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of crushed anise seeds and steep for 10 minutes. Cover the cup with a lid to help the essential oils condense and drip back into the cup so they don't evaporate.

For Flatulence

Anise tea is a quick, dependable way to ease flatulence. It also stimulates the appetite and promotes the digestion of fatty foods. Drink up to 4 cups per day as needed, preferably unsweetened.

Tea Mixture for Flatulence
1 oz. Anise seed
1 oz coriander seed
1 oz caraway seed
1 oz fennel seed

Prepare this traditional tea mixture which is used to relieve gas, ease painful intestinal cramps, bloating and flatulence. The tea is excellent for children.

For Indigestion or Nausea

To stimulate the appetite, strengthen a delicate stomach, treat colic or an upset stomach and help alleviate nausea, drink about 1 cup of unsweetened anise tea either before or after a main meal.

Tea Mixture for Indigestion and Nausea

1 ½ oz anise seed
1 oz peppermint leaves
¾ oz lemon balm leaves
1/3 oz Valerian root

Make this tea to ease indigestion and nausea. Anise seed is an antispasmodic, peppermint relieves cramps, lemon balm has a soothing effect and Valerian root alleviates spasms.

Resources
The Way of Herbs, Tierra, Michael, Pocketbooks 1981



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BUT notice this:

STAR ANISE



The FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) has issued an advisory warning against the drinking of teas brewed from star anise. Some people believe that these teas are beneficial and may help prevent colic in infants. In fact, medical conditions associated with star anise teas include seizures, vomiting, jitteriness and rapid eye movement.

The FDA has issued this advisory as an interim measure. One problem is that there is more than one type of star anise. The Chinese star anise is considered safe. A closely related species, the Japanese star anise, contains sikimitoxin and is toxic. Once star anise has been dried and processed, it is not possible to visually distinguish between the Chinese and Japanese forms. Some teas may actually be Japanese or a mixture of the two types. Until the FDA has "analyzed" the situation, it recommends that the consumer avoid all teas containing star anise.

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More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicium_anisatum

Amazing article and attractive information. nowadays I drinking too much
tea and that's way very confuse about my health and
fitness. I didn't know about tea is how useful for our health and how
helpful for our regular life. Here is very nice advantages of drinking
green tea and regular tea. I impressive from this article.