Tea Remedies
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Tea remedies have been sought for thousands of years due to its various healing properties. These have enabled it to become a popular remedy for various diseases and health disorders for countless generations.
Both the traditional teas coming from the camellia sinensis plant like green tea, black tea, oolong tea and the like, as well as the herbal teas that are derived from different dried herbs and plants, have been acknowledged to be healing remedies and have been used both as preventative and curative agents by practitioners of Eastern medicine. Camellia Sinensis Tea Remedies The use of the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant as tea remedies for health problems is believed to have sprouted in China more than 4,700 years ago and its discovery was attributed to Emperor Shen Nong. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing claimed its taste and stimulative properties were useful for treating tumors, abscesses, bladder ailments, and lethargy, among other conditions. The use of tea remedies from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant is traced to the effect of three ingredients found therein, namely:
Tea contains high levels of antioxidants which are called polyphenols or flavonoids. These compounds have their highest concentrations in green tea and white tea. They are also present in oolong tea and black tea. The polyphenol antioxidants in tea combat and block the ability of free radical cells to harm the molecules that make up our bodies. Tea also contains nutrients and other substances that are beneficial to the maintenance of health in humans and other animals. Many plants synthesize these substances like aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. In addition, tea contains caffeine which, when used in moderation, can help stimulate metabolism, increase brain function and alertness. However, too much caffeine can lead to symptoms such as irritability, heart palpitations, sleeping problems and loss of appetite, among others. Herbal Tea Remedies On the other hand, the study of herbs dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians. They described well-established medicinal uses for such plants as laurel, caraway, and thyme. Ancient Egyptian medicine of 1,000 B.C. are known to have used garlic, opium, castor oil, coriander, mint, indigo, and other herbs for medicine. Indian Ayurvedic medicine has been using herbs such as turmeric and curcumin possibly as early as 1900 B.C. Indeed, many of the spices used in Indian cuisine are themselves considered medicinal and are also utilized in the form of tea remedies for certain ailments. Ancient Indian herbalists such as Charaka and Sushruta prescribed many herbs as remedies during the 1st millenium BC. Certain types of teas are often suggested to help prevent or be a component in the overall treatment of specific ailments, diseases or disorders. Below are some of such ailments that some teas are said to be effective in treating or help preventing.
The information presented on these pages and on this site are findings and opinions obtained from different sources. These are reported for your information only. These are meant to help enhance and broaden your knowledge of the subject and do not purport to make any health claims. Please consult a licensed health care practitioner to obtain specific medical advice for any condition you may have. |
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