Herbal Tea

1. Camellia Sinensis

An evergreen that works as the basic source, producing green, black and oolong teas depending on the processing approach. Oolong teas are semi-fermented, while the popular black tea uses fermented leaves and the green tea uses unfermented leaves. Teas made from the plant contain polyphenols - a bioflavonoid type that have anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial properties.

2. Antioxidants

The main positive association linking health and teas is that infusions from the herbal drink offer high antioxidant content - the key factor in eliminating or preventing toxins from building up in the body. This detoxifying effect is needed, as toxins cause physical or mental diseases. Toxin accumulation can damage human cells and lead to cancers, and induce various forms of stress as the body is weakened. Tea has also been found to lower the incidence of stroke and heart disease, and surpasses many fruits and vegetables in terms of the antioxidant effect. In addition, the antioxidants in herbal tea work on particular body parts. This focused cleansing effect is not achieved through other methods - some need a specific and additional action to flush out body toxins.

3. It Works!

Thus, the health effect is based on science and not on any mysterious or magical theory. This scientific basis has also spurred research laboratories to pursue efforts in discovering a herbal remedy for life-threatening conditions and diseases. Despite this optimism, consumers must note that herbal teas remain primarily a supporting solution to traditional drugs and treatment for various ailments. Since the benefits cover all age brackets, a good number of herbal teas have become established for both common conditions and serious or chronic cases. The common cold or a congested chest can be treated with cinnamon, rosehip or hyssop-based blends. Stomach ailments can be relieved using ginger, cardamom and chamomile. Damiana, licorice, and motherwort have been effective for menstrual-related problems in women, while rice and raspberry are diarrhea solutions.

4. Health Benefits

Burdock, hawthorn, and nettle are used for blood- and blood pressure-related cases. Herbals such as valerian and St John's Wort help relieve individuals suffering from stress or some other mental or emotional problem. Yarrow and lemon balm help strengthen the digestive system. An individual with altitude sickness will feel better after a blend with mate de coca. Okinawa natives believe that longevity is improved by drinking hibiscus, which is often mixed with rosehip. It should be noted that herbal teas actually use ingredients such as seeds or roots, fresh or dried flowers and leaves. These plant parts are either placed in boiling water, or allowed to steep after the water is poured over them. The tea can then be served after remnants are strained and the flavor is adjusted to taste.

Despite these extensive health benefits from consumption, care should still be taken before any individual drinks herbal tea, which is also referred to as herbal infusion, ptisan or tisane. The basic tea combination involves dried herb, flower or fruit and boiling water. Of these ingredients, consumers must remember that not all herbs can be used to make tea. This means finding out to ensure that the herb to be mixed into the drink is safe for consumption.

5. Take Caution

This cautious stance is one supported by the US Food and Drug Administration. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition toxicologist Sara Henry noted that the impact of different concentrations of the drink in consumers could not be accurately predicted. The agency has given its approval only for a few herbs and spices as part of flavorings due to limited data on other herbs. Natural products chemist Sam Page adds that a high number of toxicity cases reported to the FDA unit involved individuals who brewed home-grown herbs and had limited experience and knowledge on the subject. In addition, research indicates that the anti-oxidant and other health benefits from drinking tea can be achieved only if an individual consumes several cups on a daily basis - a practice that ironically may actually be detrimental to health due to the beverage's caffeine content.

Herbal teas for memory and mental clarity are quickly coming to the foreground- and these are the herbs we'll explore.
You've undoubtedly been hearing a lot of buzz about these mood elevating and spirit-lifting medicinal herbs but you may not be so sure what they are exactly or how they can help you maintain a clear state of mind and alertness.

Who couldn't use an all natural pick-me-up to provide that desperately needed afternoon boost we ALL crave at times?

These herbal teas for memory and mental clarity can be combined with one another for optimal results. Some are good for calming anxiety whilst others lend their essence to supplying blood to your brain which can help boost memory.

A few natural options for overall brain health are more popular than others for use in cognitive remedies and here a few of the more widely used.

Gingko most readily comes to mind when one thinks of herbal teas for memory and mental clarity. Its use can be traced back thousands of years and it is most widely known for its ability to promote brain circulation for increased brain function.

Ginkgo also increases the oxygen content of your blood, which has been shown to be vital for memory-enhancement. Due to its antioxidant properties, Ginkgo also reduces the damage caused by free radicals that build up in our bodies over time and speeds up the aging process. Studies have shown Ginkgo to significantly boost your mind, stabilize emotions and improve loss of memory.

These are but a few of the herbal teas for memory and mental clarity that one can try. Also, these can be combined with one another until you find the perfect brew for what you need. Ginkgo will help increase blood flow to your brain and help enhance your memory. St. John's Wort can help when you have the 'blahs' and need a little pick-me-up. Lavender will soothe and calm your nerves and help you sleep restfully. Lastly, Gotu kola will help alleviate any anxiety or stress you may be feeling.

As with anything, if you're currently taking medication, it is advisable to contact your primary health care provider prior to embarking on a natural path to mental clarity.

The best herbal tea is more a matter of personal preference than the other stuff that we put in our mouths. Unlike food and other drinks that can have some nutritional benefit or disadvantage, herbal tea doesn't have any proven nutritional impact. Some teas just taste better than others.>

But when we drink more of the nutritionally neutral herbal tea, we're likely to drink less of the bad stuff. We are even less likely to eat less of the bad stuff.

Drinking herbal tea puts something in your mouth, something that people with diabetes especially like to do. The herbal tea is an alternative to eating or drinking something that will give us unnecessary calories between meals.

Another advantage of herbal tea is that it is an inexpensive drink. Of course it isn't as inexpensive as water. But when you use only one tea bag, it's only 10 to 15 cents per cup.

When I followed the old research that suggested using any sweetener would bring back cravings for sweetness, I used to drink herbal tea without any sweetener, caloric or non-caloric. But all the herbal teas that I know taste better when sweetened. Now that I know better, my herbal tea tastes a lot better, so I drink a lot more of it.

I sweeten my herbal tea with a non-caloric sweetener, of course. I use Truvia and even carry packets of it in my SUV, so I can use them in restaurants instead of the older sugar substitutes that have some calories in their bulking agents.

When we drink herbal tea without a caloric sweetener, we generally get neither calories nor caffeine. It is the caffeine that is the biggest difference between the great majority of herbal tea and true tea.

St. John's Wort is what many people call 'nature's happy brew' due to its reputation for gently and safely lifting spirits or elevating moods. Studies show that St. John's Wort stabilizes mood and emotions while calming and soothing frazzled nerves. These calming effects help to alleviate irritability and is also used to treat symptoms associated with PMS or menopause. Used widely to treat depression, this natural alternative to synthetic medicine can boost your spirits without the unpleasant side effects.