Herbal Tea - The Info You Want To Know

Today, tea is increasingly becoming a drink of the health conscious. Although, consumed for centuries in China, it was introduced to the world only in the late eighteenth century and its consumption spread rapidly as people were intoxicated by its exotic aromas and subtle, mellow flavors. Today, a new breed of tea drinkers are growing, who are consuming it for its medicinal properties. Though its medicinal benefits were documented in Chinese history for centuries, only recently have studies confirmed some of them. Green tea, white tea and herbal tea are being promoted as the best health drinks. Yet, the herbal tea is not really a tea at all!

That's right! Herbal tea, also known as tisane, is an herbal infusion made from anything but the leaves of the Camellia sinensis (or the tea bush)! Herbal tea is made from flowers (fresh or dried), roots, seeds or leaves by pouring boiling water over them and letting it steep for sometime. Alternatively, they can also be boiled together over a flame in a pot. The herbal tea is then strained and served. It maybe sweetened if required.

Various varieties of herbal tea are found in the market, some for its medicinal benefits and some for its intoxicating smells. Some firms even market herbal tea in tea bags. The term herbal tea is used mainly in the Americas to refer to linden, or lime leaf tea. Yet, there are many hundreds of varieties of herbal tea which have been quite popular in the regions where they are found. It would do us no harm to get to know about a few of them.

There are many herbal tea which are specific to a region and some which are found all over the world. Herbal tea has been quite popular in Asia over the centuries, especially in China and Japan. Some of the popular Asian herbal tea are the Yuen Kut Lam Kam Wo Tea (made in Hong Kong and composed of thirty Chinese herbs), the Mugicha (which is drunk cold in summer and quite similar in flavor to coffee), Cannabis (used in the preparation of Bhang in India), the Sugnyung (or toasted rice from Korea), the Tan Ngan Lo Medicated Tea (prepared in the twentieth century by a Chinese), and the Ho Yan Hor Herbal Tea (made from twenty four natural herbs in Korea).

Herbal tea is, and was, quite popular in the Americas as well, especially amongst the native tribes. Some popular ones are the Mate (shrubs grown in Brazil and Argentina), Lapacho (which is the inner lining of the bark of the Lapacho tree found in Amazonian forests and has numerous health benefits), Essiac (a native American herbal tea), Cerasse (a bitter herb found in Jamaica), and the Uncaria tomentosa (a woody vine found in the Amazonian forests and used to treat various ailments).

Besides these, the Rooibos (a reddish plant native to South Africa), the Honeybush (closely related to the Rooibos, but sweeter), the Bissap (consumed in the Saharas), the Hibiscus (from the Middle East), the Greek Mountain Tea (found in the Mediterranean and used to cure colds), the Chamomile (grown in Germany and used as a sedative), and the Horehound (known for its efficacy in lung troubles and grown in Britain) are quite popular varieties of herbal tea.

The above list of herbal tea though lengthy, is not exhaustive. In fact, if one started of with even all the popular herbal tea, it would run into pages. Though, the varieties of herbal tea mentioned above clearly show one thing, that herbal tea is anything but tea. Yet, the popular Earl Grey tea, which is blended with bergamot, is marketed by some as an herbal tea, though in every way it is black tea! So much so for clearing the confusion! -By Henry Wershar

The 7 Top Health Benefits of Drinking Parsley Tea a Nutritional Powerhouse of Herbal Tea Remedies

Drinking parsley tea has many health care benefits. We take the beautiful green garnish on our plates for granted. It is a packed full of nutrients and powerful antioxidants.

Parsley, is also known as Petroselinum crispus, is one of the most easily identifiable of the herbs. Its name comes from the Greek word meaning "rock celery" (it is a relative in the celery family). It is considered a very potent disease fighting herb.

This bright green plant is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene, folic acid, iron and potassium. Parsley is natures most concentrated multi vitamin and mineral, immune enhancing herb.

Parsley contains two types of unusual nutritional compounds that provide some very unique health benefits. The first compound found is a volatile oil that includes: myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. The second compounds found are the flavonoids: apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin

The component, myristicin has been shown to be effective at preventing tumor formation, especially in the lungs. These studies were done on animals and more extensive research will need to be done, but, the results look promising. In fact, the oils in parsley have been shown to be very effective in neutralizing particular carcinogens, such as benzopyrenes found in cigarette smoke and charcoal grill smoke.

Parsley is also abundant in chlorophyll. This purifies and inhibits the spread of bacteria, fungi and other organisms. Chlorophyll in parsley has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that act to enhance the immune system. The chlorophyll component in parsley is high in oxygen and assists the body in fighting viruses as well. Drinking parsley tea helps the lungs to eliminate residues from environmental pollution, enhances the immune response to relieve mucus congestion, sinusitis and asthma.

Research studies done in Morocco on herbs used in folk medicine to treat high blood pressure found that parsley was very effective as an herbal tea remedies. It is very effective diuretic.

Hungarian researchers have recently released a study that investigated the potential antioxidant effects of parsley. The study showed that flavonoids found in parsley are very effective at scavenging free radicals. Free radicals in the body are responsible for the development of many medical conditions: atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon and cervical cancer and asthma.

More of the 7 top health benefits of drinking parsley tea. One of the most potent herbal tea remedies.

There is an incredibly large amount of iron in this powerful little plant. In fact, it is great for treating anemia as one quarter cup of fresh parsley in a cup of tea is equivalent to 10 percent of the daily requirements according to the FDA. Parsley also contains the vitamin C that is necessary for the absorption if iron.

Vitamin K is necessary for the body to promote bone health by promoting the absorption of the minerals to make strong bones. When heated, the vitamin K in parsley nearly doubles.

Parsley contains apiol which is a component of the female sex hormone estrogen. As a tea, women drink it to regulate their menstrual cycle and after childbirth it is given to promote uterine contractions. Pregnant women should avoid drinking parsley tea.

The heart healthy component to parsley tea comes from several different actions on the body. It was used in World War II to successfully treat soldiers with kidney and bladder ailments. It helps the body to increase the elimination of waste by preventing salt from being reabsorbed into the body. It is effective to decrease swelling and general water retention.

The powerful antioxidants in parsley tea make homocysteine, a potentially dangerous molecule to the body ineffective. Homocystine causes damage to blood vessels that significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

The next time you see this bright green garnish in your garden or served on your plate, think of how this tiny herb is a nutritional powerhouse. To enjoy the health benefits of drinking parsley tea take a handful of fresh parsley, about one quarter cup and cover with 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes then strain. Add your favorite sweetener, honey or stevia, add a touch a lemon and enjoy. Here's to your good health.

By Connie Bednar