Tea

Tea is super packed with nature's gift of holistic health. This is why those ancient people who are accustomed to drinking the herbal tea have longer life span and healthier disposition compared to modern aged drinkers.

Check out the following teas and learn what they do to our bodies.

Matcha Tea. We all know that fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients and antioxidant. But there is no match for Matcha. It is a fine powdered tea made from shade-grown green tea leaves. It will be partially fermented and carefully handled so that antioxidants in the leaves will not be destroyed during the process. Using a testing method that measures oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), Matcha has a rating of 1300 unit per gram. That is twenty times more than pomegranates and blueberries which have 105 units and 91 units per gram, respectively. When you drink Matcha, you do not only get the extracts of the plant but you ingest in the leaves and get the antioxidants present in those leaves. That is why it is better than a brewed green tea because you get only a fraction of its benefits. Matcha tea has fat burning and cancer fighting properties. It is also known for these benefits:

• Boosts energy
• Improves physical endurance
• Burns calories
• Improves cholesterol levels
• Fortifies immunity
• Enhances memory and concentration
• Calms your senses
• Maintains normal blood pressure
• Detoxifies the body

Tulsi, also called as holy basil, is another great find in nature which means ‘the incomparable plant'. It is an aromatic plant from Lamiaceae family that grows up to 30 – 60 cm tall with strongly scented green or purple leaves. It is a native Indian plant and spreads widely in the tropical regions in Southeast Asia. It is an adaptogenic herb that provides an overall healing to the body.

Tulsi tea helps normalize bodily functions and is highly effective in fighting stress. It also possesses anti-microbial properties that cure a variety of health problems. Like Matcha, Tulsi is also rich in anti-oxidants that fight free radicals which causes cancer and other degenerative diseases. The health benefits of brewed tulsi leaves and blossoms are the following:

• Relieves asthma attacks, suppresses cough and expels phlegm
• It also acts as decongestant
• Fights infections, inflammation and allergies in the respiratory tract
• Prevents heart disease
• Protects the blood vessels
• Prevents cholesterol buildup
• Lowers blood pressure
• Soothes the nerves
• Prevents bad breath
• Helps in the recovery of mouth ulcers
• Delays signs of aging
• Helps maintain beautiful skin and shiny hair
• Supports weight loss
• Relieves symptoms of migraine
• Improves digestion
• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Improves motor sensory coordination
• It prevents seizure and convulsions

Stinging Nettle is among the weeds that we pull out. But do you know that nettle is a great health booster? It is a herbaceous perennial  plant and a member of the nettle genus Urtica. It is medically used for the longest time in history. The leaves, stems and even the roots are extracted to address several ailments. With its many health benefits, having them in your backyard is like having a natural pharmacy. A daily cup of nettle tea can help you get rid of common sicknesses. However, make sure to check what pharmaceutical products that can interfere the good effects of nettle. Preparations for stinging nettle are widely available in tincture or extract forms; some sell the dried leaves itself. A single plant could do wonders in your body, brewed nettle tea:

• Boosts immunity
• Relieves symptoms of arthritis
• Releases uric acid from joints
• Breaks down kidney stones
• Lowers blood pressure
• Lessens menopausal symptoms
• Relieves menstrual cramps
• Reduces inflammatory response
• Cures allergic rhinitis
• Stops diarrhea
• Prevents plaques and gingivitis
• Helps in cognitive functions
• Kills parasites and intestinal worms

But the most notable use of nettle tea is for the treatment of BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is a condition wherein there is an enlargement of the prostate gland. As a result, the person experiences urinary difficulties. Nettle tea has been found to relieve the symptoms of BPH and there were no side effects documented with regards to its use.

White tea is another kind of tea that provides us with anti-oxidants and other health-related benefits. It has been used for centuries in maintaining and optimizing health of tea drinkers. Among the other teas, white tea is the least processed kind of tea. It is harvested earlier than green tea and does not undergo the process of fermentation. So it has a sweeter and milder taste. It is also known to be richer in antioxidants compared to green tea. Its protective properties helps remove free radicals and prevents cancer. It contains Flavanoids that inhibit cancer cells to grow and stop the new ones to develop. Unlike nettle tea that might interact with pharmaceutical products, white tea has been found to go well with other drugs. White tea helps to:

• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Protects the circulatory system especially the heart muscle
• Fight bacteria and viruses
• Promotes healthy skin, teeth and gums
• Reduces blood sugar levels
• Relieves symptoms of stress
• Boosts energy

Red Tea is originally referred to as the black tea in China. It is derived from the bud leaves of Camellia sinensis that are fully fermented. After fermentation, these leaves turns to black and will have a bold, woody taste. In the west, it refers to the herbal infusion Rooibos which has a fruity, sweet taste. Red Rooibos tea is considered to be a great thirst quencher for people with busy lifestyle; this is great for athletes especially. It is not only for drinking, but can also be used in baking, cooking and other food preparation. Like the above mentioned tea, it is rich in antioxidants that reduce the risk for various cancers. Not only that, it boosts immune system by enhancing the killer cells whenever virus and bacteria attacks the body. Red Tea also helps in:

•  Lowering blood pressure
• Fighting oral cavities
• Reduces blood clots
• Delaying signs of aging
• Relieves joint pains in arthritis
• Lowers fat deposits in the arteries
• Relieves stomach ulcers
• Helps in constipation and other digestive problems
• Healthy hair, skin and teeth
• Relaxation of the muscles and senses

Do not miss to check Traditional Medicinals that has been pursuing the power of plants to ultimate health and cleansing. For almost 40 years, this group of herb experts and organic life connoisseurs are the pioneers of wellness through herbal teas whom are devoted to using only high quality pharmacopeial grade plants. They are passionate about their mission to share and pass the century-old formulas and wisdom to achieve quintessential wellness. Take a look around their page and witness the abundant list of plants and how to optimize its benefits to health.

Nature has plentiful gifts to sustain us; these different teas are just among the many wonders of nature. They have distinct properties that help us prevent sickness, alleviate symptoms, and cure diseases. All we need is to discover them and try putting on our tables and include them in our diet.