Far from just a mundane alternative to caffeinated brews, herbal teas (or tisane), like the popular jasmine or chamomile, each offer unique health benefits. Often made from a blend of various natural ingredients, such as dried leaves, seeds, grasses, barks and flowers, these herbal infusions are steeped in powerful curative properties that range from an ability to aid indigestion to promoting relaxation. We took a look inside your favorite teabags to determine which popular herbs are effective in treating common health ailments. Next time you’re in the tea aisle, keep these helpful tips in tow so you can make a knowledgeable selection.
Chamomile Chamomile is a flower long loved for its soothing, calming and sleep-inducing qualities. The petals of the plant are the active ingredient—and are most often combined with other soothing herbs like valerian and hops to create the blends meant to lull you into relaxation, such as Peach-Chamomile or Celestial Seasonings’ Sleepytime.
Lemongrass The citrusy tang that comes from the lemongrass plant is favored in cooking as well as tea. Lemongrass teas are often served as an after-dinner drink to aid digestion—primarily due to a substance called citral, also the active ingredient in lemon peels. Though typically enjoyed unaccompanied by other herbs, it can also be blended to create lemon-flavored teas like Lemon Zinger.
Jasmine Jasminum sambac—a species of the genus Jasmine (a shrub or vine in the olive family)—is the flower featured in tea blends. Unlike other herbs, jasmine is most loved for its robust fragrance rather than its health value. Typically, the oils from the petals of the flower are combined with a green tea or roobios tea to create the steaming concoction we enjoy.
Peppermint Often peppermint tea is either a mixture of black or green tea with peppermint leaves, or a simple peppermint tisane (sometimes referred to as mint tea). It’s believed that the menthol-containing leaves help soothe irritable bowel syndrome, nausea and other stomach-related ailments by calming the abdominal muscles and improving the flow of bile, which aids in digestion. Peppermint is also said to cure minor cases of bad breath.
Echinacea There is much debate over whether echinacea really prevents or cures the common cold. But it's widely acknowledged as a powerful herb that contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and have antioxidant effects. The tea is prepared by infusing with hot water the leaves and flowers of the uppermost part of the plant—the section believed to contain polysaccharides (a substance known to trigger the activity of the immune system).
Rosehips Rosehips are the seed-filled red-orange pods that form at the base of the rose bloom. When boiled with water, they produce tea with a tangy, tart flavor and pinkish color. Notable for its high concentration of vitamin C, the herb is valued for its immune-strengthening properties (some consider it superior to most vitamin C supplements). Any tea with a berry or fruit flavor typically contains rosehips.
Blackberry leaves Picked, dried in the sun and infused with boiling water, blackberry leaves are the essence of most berry-flavored teas. Studies suggest that the leaves contain a healthy dose of flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant activity.
Hibiscus Hibiscus—better known to us as the “zinger” in teas such as Celestial Seasonings’ Red Zinger, Berry Zinger and Lemon Zinger—is an herb favored for its tangy flavor and known health value as a natural diuretic.
Orange peel The zest of an orange peel is often the basis of orange, clementine, honey and tangerine teas. It may be unpleasant to eat in its natural state, but when dried and infused with boiling water, the peel produces a strong, aromatic flavor and is known for its immune system–boosting properties.
Hawthorn The leaves, flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant are used in a variety of peach- and berry-flavored teas. The plant is believed to contain flavonoid-like complexes that help improve cardiovascular health by helping to relax and dilate blood vessels, which increases blood circulation and lessens stress on the heart. Hawthorn berries are also believed to relieve water retention by draining the body of excess salt.
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Because honey has a compound similar to hydrogen peroxide, it can be applied topically for wound treatment. It’s so effective that it’s currently being used in the Iraq war; a thin layer is applied to bandages and placed on bullet wounds and burns. “It’s acidic, so it makes it difficult for bacteria to survive, and it’s a humectant, so any bacteria will shift into the honey, killing the bacteria,” says Dr. Moyad. A study in 2007 also found that nondiluted darker honey (like buckwheat honey) worked just as well as OTC medicine for coughs and sore throats.
Black Tea: Stinky Feet The tannins in black tea are antimicrobial and astringent, so they tighten and dry out skin. It’s the same reason tea bags are good for puffy eyes. “But be careful,” advises Dr. Moyad, “green tea has little to no tannins, so you need to use black tea.”
Bitter Melon: Diabetes Head to your local Asian market, because this bumpy green oblong vegetable can be great for diabetes and high-glucose support. “Bitter melon reduces blood glucose, insulin resistance and high blood pressure,” says Dr. David. It can be eaten raw, but true to its name, bitter melon is bitter, so Dr. David recommends cutting it up and mixing it with scrambled eggs to improve the flavor.
Hot Pepper: Pain “There are topical creams that contain cayenne to reduce pain, but you can make your own pretty easily,” says Dr. David. Start with a vitamin E cream or coconut oil that doesn’t contain petroleum product (“If you wouldn’t ingest it, you shouldn’t put it in your cream,” says Dr. David). Then add a pinch of cayenne powder for every ounce of cream or oil. Use it to help reduce pain in joint areas like knees and ankles. “It’s the capsaicin in the peppers that shuts down the production of the compound that causes pain. The catch is that when you’re handling hot peppers, don’t rub your eyes or you’ll have bigger problems,” says Dr. Moyad.
Olive Oil: Dry Lips and Lice Olive oil has oleic acid, which creates a nice covering to soothe dry lips. “There was also a recent study in which extra-virgin olive oil had an impact on protecting the skin from everything from dryness to skin cancer,” says Dr. Moyad. But most surprising, heavy oils, like canola and olive, can be coated on lice infestation and, when allowed to dry, will suffocate the pests.
Oats: Dry, Itchy Skin “Oats have avenanthramides—they’re anti-inflammatory in nature and can be used for itchy, dry skin,” says Dr. Moyad, who recommends either putting a sock filled with oats into a hot bath or just buying an oatmeal lotion.
Ginger: Nausea Ginger is a common remedy for nausea, with almost no side effects, and is great during pregnancy. “It is possible that too much ginger can give you acne. It’s a warming food, and with too much heat, it may produce heat on the face, which would give acne. But you’d have to eat a lot of it,” says Dr. David. To use, slice up fresh ginger root and make a tea out of it or just chew on the raw root.
Skim Milk: Sunburn Skim milk that’s slightly cooler than room temperature will hydrate skin and help relieve pain associated with sunburns. “The milk forms a collagen web. Just dip gauze in there and apply it to the area, but watch out because whole milk actually slows healing time,” warns Dr. Moyad.
Skim Milk: Sunburn Skim milk that’s slightly cooler than room temperature will hydrate skin and help relieve pain associated with sunburns. “The milk forms a collagen web. Just dip gauze in there and apply it to the area, but watch out because whole milk actually slows healing time,” warns Dr. Moyad.
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Sage is an astringent, antiseptic, tonic herb, with a camphor-like aroma.Sage relaxes spasms, suppresses perspiration and lactation, improves liver function and digestion and has anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and estrogenic effects.
It contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenoids, triterpenes and an essential oil which contains a-thujone, camphor, 1,8-ceneole and other monoterpenes. Therapeutic uses reduce excessive lactation in nursing mothers
* Internal use o Sage is used internally to treat indigestion and flatulence. o It is also used to reduce excessive lactation in nursing mothers and night sweats (especially in menopause), excessive salivation, profuse perspiration, anxiety, depression, female sterility and menopausal problems. o It also has supportive properties for the liver and is used to boost the functionality of the liver. * External use o Externally, it can be used for insect bites, throat, mouth, gum and skin infections, as well as vaginal discharge. o It contains rosmarinic acid that has good antioxidant properties, which are reinforced by the picrosalvin also found in sage. o Furthermore it has antimicrobial and antiviral effects and is often used in hair care to combat greasy and oily hair by regulating the sebum production of the scalp. It is used to treat various skin problems, such as acne. * Aromatherapy and essential oil use o Using small amounts, it lightens a tired mind and fights depression and grief. It must be used with great care, since high amounts can cause problems. o It is useful to the digestive system, increasing appetitive, balancing the female hormone estrogen and easing dull aches and pains. o Very useful for regulating the menstrual cycle, as well as reducing night sweats during menopause. o On the skin, it is useful to refine the texture, for wound healing, as well as to clear up sores, ulcers and dermatitis. o It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, Hypertensive, laxative, stomachic and tonic properties.
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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Ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness as a digestive aid. By increasing the production of digestive fluids and saliva, Ginger helps relieve indigestion, gas pains, diarrhea and stomach cramping. The primary known constituents of Ginger Root include gingerols, zingibain, bisabolenel, oleoresins, starch, essential oil (zingiberene, zingiberole, camphene, cineol, borneol), mucilage, and protein. Ginger root is also used to treat nausea related to both motion sickness and morning sickness. Ginger has been found to be even more effective than Dramamine® in curbing motion sickness, without causing drowsiness. Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, rheumatism and muscle spasms. Ginger's therapeutic properties effectively stimulate circulation of the blood, removing toxins from the body, cleansing the bowels and kidneys, and nourishing the skin. Other uses for Ginger Root include the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems by loosening and expelling phlegm from the lungs. Ginger Root may also be used to help break fevers by warming the body and increasing perspiration.
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One of the healthiest Indian spices that I use in my cooking is fenugreek seeds, called methi(hindi), menthulu(telugu) and venthyam(tamil). When Mythili of Vindu invited me to participate in Mistress of Spices event, to blog a spice of my choice, I knew what spice I was going to write about. Yes, methulu!!
Name: Fenugreek seeds, methi (hindi), menthulu (telugu) Origin: Indigenous to countries on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean and cultivated in India, Egypt and Africa. Botanical name:Trigonella foenum-graecum L Family name:Fabaceae Plant Family: Leguminosae Common Names: Bird’s Foot, Bockshornklee, Greek Hayseed, Goat’s Horn, Methi
Fenugreek seeds, an ancient spice, with a slightly bitter taste, are small, hard, yellowish-brown, smooth and oblong shaped.The fresh tender green leaves of the fenugreek plant, called methi or menthi, have a bitter-sweet flavor and used as a regular green vegetable in Indian cuisine like dals and vegetables.
Fenugreek seeds can be sprouted, have a slight pungent-sweet flavor and used to prepare salads. The dried form of fenugreek leaves, called “kasoori methi”, is a popular spice used to enhance the flavor of Indian dishes.
Fenugreek seeds should be lightly dry roasted before using to enhance the flavor of the dish and reduce the bitterness of the spice. The more you roast, the more the bitterness. Adding these dry roasted seeds as it is or in powdered form to a gravy or dal dish lends the dish a tangy and mellow characteristic curry flavor. Soaking the seeds in water overnight, makes them soft and jelly-like and these swelled up seeds can be easily made into a paste.
The six tastes, sweet,salty, sour, bitter, astringent, bitter and hot, advocated by Ayurveda balances our diet for optimum health and nutrition and an easy way to get the bitter taste to our diet is to add fenugreek seeds to our foods.
Medical research shows that fenugreek seeds lowers blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It was also known to cure constipation, as a powerful expectorant, and is used as herbal infusion to break up respiratory congestion.
An ancient ayurvedic cure for dandruff – soak some seeds in water overnight, grind to a paste, apply onto the scalp and hair, leave for 20 mts and rinse. It also tones the hair, giving it a silky feel and shine.
Fenugreek seed paste or methi in powder form can be used as a face pack also, helps to tone the skin and cure acne.
Fenugreek seeds can be sun dried, powdered and stored. My tatayya (grandfather) who was a diabetic (for 40 years of his life) used to have one tsp of this powder daily or soaked seeds along with water (soaked in water overnight) early in the morning.
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A shot of turmeric in things like omelettes, scrambled eggs, quiches etc, as well as rice can help reduce the onset of Altzheimers apparently. Can't hurt to try?
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Have you been wondering “what’s all the fuss about green tea?” Now you can stop wondering and start drinking ... green tea, that is. This flavorful beverage offers many health benefits to anyone who drinks it regularly. Green tea contains a potent plant nutrient known as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, for short. But don’t fret, you don’t have to keep track of its chemical name to reap the health benefits. Here are nine reasons to start drinking green tea or continue drinking it if you’re already hooked.
1. Green tea is a superb fat fighter. Its active ingredient, EGCG, increases the rate at which fat is burned in your body.
2. It targets belly fat. Research at Tufts University indicates that EGCG in green tea, like other catechins, activate fat-burning genes in the abdomen to speed weight loss by 77 percent.
3. Green tea keeps energy stable by balancing blood sugar levels. EGCG improves insulin use in the body to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes that can result in fatigue, irritability, and cravings for unhealthy foods.
4. Research shows it may be helpful against lung cancer. In an April 2010 study published in Cancer Prevention Research, EGCG was found to suppress lung cancer cell growth.
5. Green tea may halt colorectal cancer. In numerous other studies, EGCG appears to inhibit colorectal cancers.
6. In research, it appears to cause prostate cancer cells to commit suicide. A March 2010 study in Cancer Science indicated that EGCG aids the body by causing prostate cancer cells to commit suicide.
7. Green tea may prevent skin damage and wrinkling. EGCG appears to be 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at destroying skin-damaging free radicals. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage, so lessening their numbers may help reduce wrinkling and other signs of aging.
8. It contains a potent antioxidant that kills free radicals. Because it is a potent antioxidant green tea can positively impact a lot more than skin cells. Free radicals are increasingly linked to many serious chronic illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.
9. Green tea tastes good. If you’re not wild about the flavor, try a few different kinds. Try it iced or hot. Add some of the natural herb stevia to sweeten it if you want a sweeter drink. I wasn’t crazy about green tea the first few times I tried it, but now I love it with a fresh squeeze of lemon and a few drops of stevia over ice -- et voila! Green tea lemonade. Mmmmm.
Reap the rewards Add one or two teaspoons of green tea leaves to a cup of boiling water, preferably in a tea strainer. Let steep for five minutes. Pour over ice if you prefer a cold beverage. Most experts recommend three cups daily. And, don’t worry, green tea contains a lot less caffeine than coffee or black tea.
Posts: 3891 | From: No good deed goes unpunished. | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Nothing will help anyone that eats 50 hamburgers a day, smart ass.
...and which country are you from that the dollar chases you? I would like to visit this place.
-------------------- "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." (Sign hanging in Einstein's office at Princeton) Leap and the Net will Appear. Posts: 3891 | From: No good deed goes unpunished. | Registered: May 2007
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Work less and eat healthy??? That is a great ethos to avoid rearing lazy people!
The title mentions the benefits of spices then went on to discuss herbs!
I do LOVE Coriander and will grow it in the home and pick at it like a fat kid picks at Smarties.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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Ya all need to grow some brain so you can share it with all the white trash from England and the USA , BBW's white trash . Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Posts: 76 | From: Two most common things in here the Fat white trash and there stupidity | Registered: Jun 2010
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Go to the spice section of any Metro supermarket or a natural food store and check out the ISIS collection. They have whole coriander seeds that should sprout well.
Of course you could also get coriander seeds (kusbara / كزبرة) from any spice store, but I noticed that non-organic coriander often doesn't sprout.
Posts: 2803 | Registered: Feb 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: I'm not fussed about Organic stuff tbh...
The problem with non-organic seeds is that they have often been treated with some chemical, so they won't sprout.
I like sprouts from various seeds and grow them on my window sill all year around, and I've also grown coriander plants from seeds. I just noticed that most of the time it doesn't work with non-organic seeds.
Just my experience ...
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Nothing will help anyone that eats 50 hamburgers a day, smart ass.
Overweight is a worldwide problem, hamburgers or not. To believe only US Americans are obese, is silly.
Nearly 80 per cent of women in Egypt are overweight and 46.6 per cent obese, said a recent study.
The study by the International Obesity Task Force in Egypt also said that more than 25 per cent of children aged 4 years are overweight.
Another study recently conducted by the National Nutrition Centre of Egypt stated that 48.5 per cent of Egyptian women and 16.7 per cent of Egyptians over 20 are obese, while 35 per cent of the population has a BMI (body mass index) over 30.
These issues were the focus of the recently held 13th congress of the Egyptian Society of Endocrinology and Obesity and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists at Hilton Green Plaza Hotel in Alexandria.
The ‘Nutritious and Delicious’ campaign by Tefal, a leading cookware and small appliance manufacturer, targeted journalists and health professionals in Egypt on the dangers of obesity leading to diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
“Obesity is a worldwide chronic disease affecting over 300 million adults,” said Dr Wafaa Ayesh, director of clinical nutrition department - Dubai Health Authority.
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^^^ The post that I was responding to when I said "smart ass" is no longer there.
**note to self.... Quote post that you are responding to so you don't appear as a smart ass. Posts: 3891 | From: No good deed goes unpunished. | Registered: May 2007
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Thought this might fit in here, particularly given the fact that hibiscus is so common in Egypt.
I occasionally use hibiscus tea for haircare -- as a slightly acidic rinse or as a tea added to henna and indigo packs. Apart from the positive effect on hair and scalp, the tea has a great color and scent. And I love to keep a jar of chilled and only slightly sweetened hibiscus tea / karkadeh in the fridge during summer.
Hair Care using Hibiscus
The Hibiscus is one of the most common flowering trees of India. The leaves and flowers of the tree were used in cosmetic treatments during the ancient days and have become very much a part of Ayurveda.
The Hibiscus, or Javakusuma, belongs to the Malvacae family is also commonly known as Shoe Flower. The red flowers are used in treatments. Like the Tulsi, the Hibiscus has become a part of Hindu religious rites and is a must in certain pujas. It was not only popularised by Ayurvedic practice in India , but is an important ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine.
The ancient woman of India not only used the exotic Hibiscus flower to adorn her hair, but also applied its extracts as a treatment for hair. The flowers and leaves contain many properties that benefit hair and scalp and help in the treatment of dandruff and hair loss.
Both in India and China, infusions of Hibiscus leaves and flowers were mixed with herbal oils and applied on the scalp as a part of regular hair care. The juice of the flower was added to vegetable hair dyes like henna and indigo. The reason for the widespread use of the Hibiscus was its ability to prevent and control common hair problems.
Hibiscus has a soothing and cooling action on the scalp. During the ancient days, it was used to reduce heat and bring down fevers. This soothing action is of great benefit in treating rashy conditions and in cases of dandruff. It is of particular benefit in seborrhoeic conditions of the scalp, due to its astringent action, helping to reduce oil-gland secretions and excessive oiliness of hair and scalp. Hibiscus helps to remove and reduce pore clogging, thus improving the general look and condition of hair. It also reduces excessive scaling, itching and redness of the scalp.
Hibiscus has many other benefits. Not only does it restore the normal acid-alkaline balance, but helps in the elimination of toxins. It also stimulates blood circulation to the scalp and thus helps the supply of the essential nutrients to the follicles. It has excellent tonic properties. Ingredients like Hibiscus are ideal for counteracting the effects of air pollutants. The chemical pollutants in the air are potent irritants. They not only upset the normal balances, but cause many eruptive conditions and irritative reactions. We are constantly exposed to these harmful chemicals. Hibiscus, like many other plant ingredients, offers ideal protection.
Both hot and cold infusions can be made from hibiscus flowers and leaves, though cold infusions are more common. For hot infusions, the flowers and leaves are added to boiling water and allowed to stand in it for 10 to 12 hours. The infusion is strained and used on the scalp. It can be used as a last rinse after washing the hair. For cold infusions, the flowers and leaves are allowed to stand overnight in cold water, in a ratio of one to six. The flowers are squeezed and the water is strained before use.
Such infusions can be used to wash the hair and scalp, or may be applied on the scalp with cotton wool. Infusions, or the juice of the flowers, may be added to henna paste and applied on the scalp. This a total hair-food and conditioning treatment. Today, Hibiscus is added to brahmi, bhringaraj, amla, henna and other such extracts, to formulate products for hair care, like cleansers, hair tonics, anti-dandruff preparations, hair conditioners and rinses.
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