Types of Tea

Medicinal Tea

Take a look at that little tea bag again. Known for its flavor, tea has always been a refreshing beverage. It now recognised as a potent health drink as well, one of the more pleasant ways to boost your body’s natural immunity.

The medicinal properties of tea are often talked about. Research conducted recently on Camelia sinensis, the plant from which tea is obtained, shows that there are several benefits associated with drinking medicinal tea.

From its cancer fighting properties to its ability to assist the body’s immune system, the health benefits of medicinal tea are varied and numerous. If you wondered how a simple shrub, steeped in hot water for a few minutes, could be the remedy to so many ailments, here’s how. All varieties of tea are rich in a class of chemicals known as antioxidant polyphenols. These antioxidants, also known as catechins, are very effective in delaying oxidative damage to cells. Therefore, medicinal tea is recommended over Vitamin E and C and also has disease-fighting properties.

The most important health benefit of medicinal tea is that the antioxidant in it prevents DNA mutations, the primary step that leads to cancer. Medicinal tea helps in protecting the body against several cancers – breast, colon, lung and bladder – to name a few.

Ayurvedic tea, usually prepared by adding common herbs to tea like cardamom, cinnamon and chamomile, is a great way to increase the health benefits of the beverage. Ayurvedic tea is also a great way to combat viruses that cause skin diseases and illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea. Also, ayurvedic tea boosts immunity levels against bacteria.

Drinkers of herbal tea benefit from a reduced risk of heart attacks. The antioxidants found in herbal tea do not allow the dangerous varieties of cholesterol to be oxidized. This prevents arteries from being blocked and helps them function better. Another property of herbal tea is that it is rich in fluoride content. This prevents the build up of plaque and hence avoids tooth decay.

Herbal tea, with a dash of lemon, contains the antioxidant EGCG and speeds up the burning of calories, especially fat.

Tea is being used in the manufacture of skin ointments and creams. Medicinal tea is prescribed to patients with skin tumor formation and prevents inflammatory activity. Cosmetic companies are also complementing their beauty products by using extracts from medicinal tea.

Since different varieties of tea are processed differently and contain varying proportions of these antioxidants, it is advisable to alternate between black tea and green tea. Herbal tea is best when taken between meals. Avoid drinking tea soon after or before a meal, because it drains out the iron that you consume.

Take time off to drink freshly brewed tea and do not opt for decaffeinated tea, tea that is bottled, or available as an instant mix. Most of its antioxidant polyphenols are then lost.

Medicinal tea is also a great way to keep you alert. So however you like it, hot or cold, black or white, drink the beverage – up to three times a day!