Are you a tea addict?
Does your day not surface before you have downed your ‘garam cup of chai’?
Do you know that this cup of tea may not be the best for your health?
Before I suggest a switch over to teas that will promote your health, I’d like to share a few tip and precautions for tea drinkers —
- Long-term use of tea bags is proven to be carcinogenic – teabags release epichlorohydrin (a carcinogen) when dipped in hot water. Start the practice of using loose tea leaves, or empty the tea bag contents into a strainer and dip the strainer into your cup of hot water. A teapot with an infuser works for brewing many cups of tea.
- Five minutes is the maximum time needed to brew tea, 80-90% of its oxidant content is extracted in the first five minutes, longer time does not extract much more.
- Don’t forget that tea leaves are made from plants, they can spoil or lose their potency with time. Always look for the manufacture date on the package.
- Most teas are treated with pesticides and herbicides, so be aware and choose high-quality, organic or pesticide-free varieties. In fact I would go to the extent of telling you to use fresh ingredients whenever possible, quality over quantity.
- Always store tea in airtight containers, if not properly stored, they can breed mycotoxins, a harmful byproduct from fungus that can grow on some foods has been found in tea.
So here’s why the next section of this article is good for you, your health
and good for conserving your wealth too.
As a naturopath, I always look for fresh food from the kitchen; plants, herbs and spices have been used medicinally for centuries, so concocting these fresh brews or shopping for these anti-inflammatory teas, a switch from your usual black tea can improve your health and keep disease at bay.
Try these home remedies of anti-inflammatory teas —
GREEN TEA – MATCHA – (CAMELLIA SINENSIS L)
How did green tea get its name? Green tea comes from the same shrub as black tea, it is the processing of the leaves that is done differently, and it is this processing method that allows them to retain their green colour. Matcha powder is nothing but finely ground green tea leaves, due to its slow release of caffeine into your system, Matcha has gained worldwide popularity.
Why Green tea?
Polyphenols are a health-promoting compounds in green tea, the most potent of which is Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has anti-inflammatory properties to help disapate flare-ups associated with Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis. As well as heart disease and Alzeheimer’s.
HOLY BASIL – TULSI – (OCIMUM SANCTUM)
From our very own ancient Ayurveda treatments, ‘Tulsi’ is the queen of herbs. Holy to be grown at home to keep your mind, thoughts, emotions, stress and your environment pure. All of which are the root cause of disease. Holy Basil promotes health.
Why Holy Basil tea?
This adaptogenic herb in alternative medicine and has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, uric acid conditions are also reduced.
Just pluck a few leaves off your plant and brew in hot water for five minutes, or buy organic Tulsi tea.
TUMERIC – HALDI – (CURCUMA LONGA)
Our ancestors really lacked marketing skills, long before the golden milk became a worldwide rage, ‘haldidoodh’ was our staple night drink. The active ingredient in turmeric, circumin, is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Why Tumeric tea?
This edible root or rhizome can be peeled, minced, sliced or dried into a powder and used in food preparations. But most effective is an early morning brew of slices of fresh haldi brewed for five minutes in hot water. It is an antiseptic, it relieves joint pain, muscle soreness, IBD and heart disease.
TIP: Curcumin is better absorbed with some black pepper – add a pinch to your brew.
GINGER – SOOT – (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE)
Why Ginger tea?
Over fifty different antioxidant compounds have been identified in ginger, many of them minimize the production of cytokines (a pro-inflammatory substance in our bodies)
Peel it, slice it, grate it, dry it to a powder (soot) Add to a cup of hot water and enjoy the early morning benefits.
ROSE HIP (ROSA CANINA)
The residue of a rose bush after the flowers have fallen off is the rose hip bud. Rose hip have been used for medicinal purposes for over 2000 years.
Why rose hip tea?
It is packed with anti oxidants, beta carotene, vitamin C, all protect your cells from damage, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and inhibit the cox-1 and cox-2 enzymes, which trigger inflammation and pain
To make rosehip tea, use about 10 whole, fresh or dried rose hips and mash or crumble them. Mix them with about 1 1/2 cups of very hot (not boiling) water and let them steep for five minutes. Strain the drink to remove the solids and add honey if desired.
FENNEL – AJWAIN – (FOENICULUM VULGARE)
The flavor of the seeds from the Mediterranean fennel plant is often compared to that of licorice or anise.
Why fennel tea?
Some research indicates that fennel may reduce menstruation-related pain, which may be due to its powerful anti-inflammatory compounds.
Fennel tea – Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds and let them steep for five minutes. Add honey or sweetener if you like.
Concoctions of any of the above are super tasty, be creative, follow your taste buds and combine herbs, add spices like cinnamon, cardamom or fruit slices of lemon, orange.
Finally —
With so many varieties and flavours to choose from or concoct, you will never tire of this early morning cup of health. Drinking tea made from these plants, herbs, spices have been beneficial for thousands of years. Enjoy the benefits.
P.S. Always consult your doctor to see that this does not interfere with your medication.
