Health Benefits of Tea

Note -The information here should not be considered medical advice, and you should always consult a physician before beginning any herbal tea therapy.
It has become ever more popular and interesting to find natural remedies in the things we eat and drink. A good example is the specialty teas people are researching and drinking. Many teas have medicinal properties and are able to improve the body’s immune system, so people drink them to improve their health. They can also help to improve a person’s memory, add to the cognitive abilities, and even lengthen a person’s lifespan. For centuries it has been believed that all this can happen with the consumption of the right specialty tea on a regular basis, and today we are relearning it all.
All teas are good for you because they have less than half the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee. This in itself is a health benefit. So far green tea leads the field in medicinal benefits is green tea. It has antioxidants, which diminish the ability of free radicals to destroy good cells, and this improves many body functions. The antioxidants in green tea also help diminish the risk of developing cancer. Five cups of green tea daily have been shown to keep cholesterol and blood pressure from rising. Green tea has long been known as a method to battle the common flu, avert infections, improve capillary function and diminish skin cancers.
Chamomile, or “sleepy time” tea is known to reduce menstrual cramps. It can also be used to relax, and is obviously well known for as the tea to drink before bedtime, helping a person to sleep better. It also improves digestion, helps mouth sores, and gastrointestinal conditions. It can help with jaundice and so improve liver function.
A few others - Cranberry tea is known to help settle an upset stomach and peppermint tea can often ease the discomforts of nausea. Peppermint tea with honey is also good for a hoarse or irritated throat. Licorice tea will clean the colon and can treat a variety of gastric and respiratory conditions.
The list is long. It’s worth exploring the benefits of the specialty teas and tisanes, and discovering which ones could benefit which ailments you as you enjoy drinking them.
For instance -
　
　
Digestive complaints - Tea is an old home remedy for unsettled digestive systems. All three varieties have antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic and detoxifying properties. These make tea effective in treating infectious dysentery and in easing inflammatory bowel disease.
Infections - The antiseptic properties of tea are attributed to the tannins and flavonoids present. The former have anti-inflammatory effects, while the latter act as detoxifiers. Tea is an age-old home remedy for burns, wounds and swelling. A poultice of green tea eases itching and inflammation of insect bites, while a compress stems bleeding.
Tooth decay - Green tea is known to be very rich in fluoride. It also contains catechins. A study using natural toothpaste (containing green tea bioflavonoid/zinc acerbate) was conducted to determine the effect on bacterial plaque accumulation. The results showed a significant decrease in total viable plaque biomass when compared with a non-active control toothpaste19. Another in vitro experiment, using both green and black tea, showed the epicatechins to have properties that prevent bacterial adherence to teeth, inhibit human and bacterial amylases and inhibit glucosyl transferase, thereby limiting the biosynthesis of sticky glucan. The few human ex vivo clinical trials performed, suggest that regular tea drinking may decrease the incidence and severity of cavities . If substantiated, tea could play a very economical role in public health 6.
Skin disorders - Using different animal models, many laboratories have shown that green tea extract, taken orally or applied to the skin, inhibits skin tumor formation induced by chemical carcinogens and UVB. The extracts also possess anti-inflammatory activity and anti-cancer forming activity. These are owed to the polyphenolic constituents present. (The polyphenol mainly responsible for the prevention of cancer formation is epigallocatechin-3-gallate - EGCG . When applied to mouse skin, EGCG prevents UVB-induced oxidative stress and suppression of the immune system. Mouse skin models have illustrated extensive beneficial effects of green tea extracts and although only a few human skin studies have been conducted, many cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies are supplementing their skin care products with green tea extracts10.)
Immune booster - This is due to the free radical capturing (antioxidant) and invigorating, detoxifying, antibacterial properties of tea, as well as the many vitamins and minerals in all the teas.
Cancer combating - Green tea has a reputation in cancer prevention, as tea catechins have been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth while promoting the destruction of leukemia cells 17. Laboratory studies on cultures of tumor cells in mice showed green teas' potential to inhibit cancer cell growth. Similarly, both black and green tea have been shown to suppress the DNA reproduction of cancer cells and promote the demise of tumor cells.
Scientific findings have linked green tea consumption to the slowing or prevention of cancer (specifically cancer of the bladder, colon, esophageal, stomach, and pancreas), heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired immune disease, and liver disease. Health benefits of green tea even have been proven to aid against tooth decay, and help dieting.
HERBAL TISANES
Health Benefits of Licorice:
Relieves coughs and sore throats
Improves digestion
Eases menstrual cramps
Believes to increase libido
Reduces seasonal allergies and congestion
Health Benefits of Ginger:
Improves circulation
Relieves cold and flu symptoms
Eases stomach cramps and nausea
Reduces menstrual cramps
Regulates blood sugar
Health Benefits of Chamomile:
Soothes the stomach
Calms the nerves
Induces sleep
Eases cold symptoms
Health Benefits of Mint:
Eases many stomach and digestive problems
Helps relieve headaches
Relaxing
Soothes the throat
Health Benefits of Lemon Balm:
Lifts the spirits
Relieves stomach disorders
Relaxes the nerves
Health Benefits of Blueberries
First, this flavored blend is brewed from black or green tea, which contain antioxidant properties that promote good health.
Second, by adding blueberries to the beverage, drinkers benefit from even more disease fighting attributes. There is growing evidence that blueberries are powerful disease fighters.