Ten Teas with Natural Healing Properties

March 23, 2009 by Remedies  
Filed under Drink Your Way to Health

Research continues to show that drinking tea has amazing health benefits. The antioxidants in tea help combat both cancer and the body’s aging process. Some teas contain Vitamin C, which helps to fight colds and illnesses. The reduction of plaque on teeth is caused by the polyphones found in some teas. These polyphones increase the movement of the stomach’s digestive juices and that aids digestion. Teas have a multitude of healing properties.

The ten teas with natural healing properties listed below are worth trying. There are four types of teas made from the tea plant. All other teas are derived from other plants.

White Tea – White tea is made from young leaves still covered in a fine down. This type of tea is not fermented or cured but is steamed and then sun dried. Reputed to help battle cancer, white tea contains a high concentration of catechins. The brewed tea appears to be a silver-whitish color due to the down from the leaves. Its fresh flavor and sweet aroma has a sweet aroma and light flavor is notable. Varieties of white tea are Jasmine Silver Needle, Silver Needle, and White Peony.

Green Tea – There is a multitude of health properties are attributed to the wide variety green tea. Jasmine Dragon Pearl, Jasmine Green Tea, Roasted Japanese Green Tea, and Green Peony Tea are popular green tea varieties. Green tea is known to have high mineral and nutrient values. Once the green tea leaves are picked, hot air is used to dry them. Care is taken not to allow the leaves to ferment and the leaves are rolled to break up the structure of the leaf. Teas not fermented have a greater number of vitamins and nutrients than teas that have been fermented. Vitamin C and fluoride are two of the naturally occurring substances found in green tea leaves. Vitamin C boasts the immune system naturally and promotes good health while fluoride prevents tooth decay and strengthens bones.

Oolong Tea – Oolong tea is a brown tea that is noted for containing properties that aid digestion and lower cholesterol levels. Oolong tea has a full-bodied, robust taste. The name is self-descriptive since oolong means semi-fermented. The tea leave are left to ferment until they begin to wither. Oolong tea offers a fruity aroma with a sweet aftertaste. Ice Peak Oolong Tea, Jasmine Oolong Tea, WUYI Rock Tea and Hairy Crab Oolong Tea are Oolong tea varieties.

Black Tea – The most popular teas in the western part of the world are black tea blends. Black tea is used in English teas. After the leaves are picked, the leaves go through full fermentation that makes the leaves darken to almost black. Black tea can taste different, too. It can be flowery, fruity, and spicy or even have a nutty taste. Black tea, which contains antioxidants, is known for lowering the risk of stroke and helps reduce clotting of the arteries. Black tea varieties include Black Tea, Rose Black Tea, English Breakfast Black Tea and Earl Grey Black Tea.

Chamomile Tea – A member of the sunflower, the chamomile plant often gets used to make chamomile tea. A floral tea with a fruity taste, camomile tea is known for helping aid with toothaches, insomnia, muscle cramps, and can help reduce the swelling of skin irritations.

Rosebud Tea – Another floral tea is rosebud tea made from the dried rosebuds. The tea’s aroma is sweet and floral while the flavor is sweet and light. It is common for people to brew rosebud tea with other teas. Rosebud tea aids in circulation, reduces bloating, and can help to relieve menstrual cramps.

Wild Holy Tea – Wild Holy tea is bitter tasting and is usually used as a detoxifier. In addition, it has been shown to help with circulation, obesity, and control blood pressure.

Chrysanthemum Tea – The sweet taste and floral aroma of chrysanthemum tea makes it a tea to enjoy while relaxing. Known to cool the body from a fever, chrysanthemum tea is also know to help people recover from a cold and provide protection for the liver.

Red Tea – A product of South Africa and rich in antioxidants, red tea has no caffeine. Research has proven that red tea helps to reduce irritability, headaches, hypertension, nervous tension, and insomnia. It also helps to give the immune system a boost. Red tea is offered in many varieties including Organic Cape Red Tea, Florida Orange Red Tea, Organic Green Summer Red Tea and Organic Green Red Tea.

Yerba Mate – A popular drink in South America, Yerba Mate is a very pungent infused beverage that is sweetened with honey or sugar. The ground yerba leaves are mixed with spices and brewed in a gourd and the liquid is drunk through a straw. This tea boasts high levels of minerals and vitamins. Well documented, its health benefits include being an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and a weight loss aid.

Apple Cider Vinegar – Remedies for Common Ailments

March 23, 2009 by Remedies  
Filed under Drink Your Way to Health

The saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is actually supported to some extent by the results of research. Apples are one of the most healthy and available fruits to eat. They contain necessary vitamins and minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorous, and calcium. In addition to all of this, ripe fresh apples are used to make apple cider vinegar.

There are many benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar. It helps to break down phlegm, fat, and mucous which improves the function and overall health of kidneys, liver and bladder. Apple cider vinegar also helps to stabilize blood pressure by thinning the blood. Taking apple cider vinegar assists the process of digestion, assimilation of nutrients into the body, and elimination. It also is helpful in ridding your body of toxins that can harm you.

Taking two tablespoons of cider vinegar mixed with water just before a meal is said to prevent an upset stomach and diarrhea. The potassium found in apple cider vinegar is beneficial in reducing the symptoms of allergies and the common cold. Healthy teeth and bones, as well as the prevention of some hair loss, requires a well balanced diet that includes potassium.

Apple cider vinegar can be added to your diet in many ways. Drinking it in its liquid form is believed to be the best way however some people refuse to drink it due to the acidic taste. Using it to make salad dressings or making mayonnaise gives more variety to the ways that it can be added to your diet. Another way to add it is in the place of white vinegar sprinkled on fries and chips. The taste can be combated with the addition of honey when used as a hot or cold beverage.

Blisters, acne, and boils can all signal the bodies rejection of toxins and apple cider vinegar can help with the detoxification process to reduce those symptoms. Your body’s ability to cleanse blood and clot properly is assisted by drinking it. Joint pain and inflammation are reduced when a hot compress of apple cider vinegar is applied. Adding apple cider vinegar to your diet helps with ailments like cancer, muscle cramps, nosebleeds, gallstones, hay fever, kidney stones, ear discharge, diarrhea, and fatigue. Although research does not prove it, anecdotal evidence is that it also helps reduce the effects of depression.

The use of apple cider vinegar is one of the latest weight loss fads. Available in tablet form, apple cider vinegar can be easily added, as a supplement, to your weight loss program. Before embarking on weight loss, consult you doctor to find out the safest way for you to go about it. Said to reduce hunger, increase metabolism, and generate energy; these things can be added to the long list of the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Because it is safe, even over-weight children can add it to their diet. To suppress your appetite and boost your metabolism, it is suggested that you eat an apple about 30 minutes before a meal.

Risk of bone loss is more prevalent for postmenopausal women and an apple cider vinegar supplement helps build bone mass by adding magnesium, calcium, and , silicone to your body.

Vitamin C, vitamin E, Vitamin A, B2 and B6, Vitamin P and beta-carotene are found in apple cider vinegar. These minerals and vitamins boost your metabolism, reduce LDL cholesterol, help to stabilize blood pressure at a healthy level, and reduce your body’s water retention. Memory, concentration, circulation, regulation of body temperature, and energy levels are all aided by apple cider vinegar.

Sometimes taking antibiotics or changing diet can cause a yeast imbalance that apple cider vinegar may help. A douche mixture consisting of two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per quart of lukewarm water will help the ph balance be restored. Apply this twice daily until you have no symptoms left.

The addition of an apple a day to healthy diet can be very beneficial for your body. Failing that, using apple cider vinegar as a supplement can provide your body with a multitude of benefits. One cautionary note about storage is that the acid will corrode metal so do not use a metal container for storage.