Posted on 28 November 2009. Tags: Benefits, Ginseng, Health, Potential
There are many herbal supplements on the market to choose from and ginseng is one of the most well loved for many reasons. Ginseng has been used commonly in eastern societies for centuries and is believed to offer many fantastic health benefits. The ginseng plant grows primarily in the northern hemisphere in countries such as China, Vietnam and Korea. There are many varieties of ginseng including panax, wild, american and red ginseng.
Ginseng roots are consumed orally and is usually obtained in a dry powdered form. It can be consumed as a hot tea or as part of one of your favorite soups if you dislike the taste. Ginseng is considered to be an adaptogen which is a substance that increases the bodies ability to deal with stress. It is believed to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that help to fight free radical hurt which can help in the prevention of cancer and premature aging.
While official western studies have not yet conclusively proven the effectiveness of ginseng, many herbalists and eastern healers will agree that this herbal supplement is indeed one of the most potent when it comes to offering increased health benefits. If you do intend to consume ginseng then you need to make sure that it will not react with any medications you may be taking right now so be sure to consult the appropriate medical professionals regarding any possible side effects.
It may often be the best thought to turn to natural remedies when looking for a solution to better health as our bodies tend to handle these kinds of products much better than synthetic or chemically produced ingredients. Ginseng that is produced in western countries like the United States is valued greatly by eastern societies such as the Chinese.
Pennsylvania produced ginseng is one of the highest demand American ginseng varieties as the soil and climate conditions are unique and produce some of the best quality ginseng products.
Ginseng is also believed to help increase energy and mental alertness thus athletes may find this supplement to be of fantastic benefit versus consuming performance enhancing drugs that may have negative side effects. The wild ginseng variety is rare to find and thus demands a higher price than the other varieties. Many consumers will still gladly pay the extra money since it is believed to be one of the better forms of ginseng that offers greater health benefits.
Ginseng can be one the most effective anti aging supplements as it does have powerful antioxidant properties. It can also be effective at lowering blood sugar levels and thus may be beneficial for those with diabetes. Ginseng is also believed to be effective at reducing stress and increasing your bodies ability to deal with stress thus it is fantastic at increasing the strength of your immune system so you are less susceptible to getting sick.
Some people that are sensitive to this supplement may have side effects like diarrhea and nausea. Overdose of ginseng is usually not a problem but you should still always take the recommended amount based on the type of ginseng product you buy.
Ginseng has also been used by many to help increase male fertility and libido. If you find that you tend to have concentration problems then taking ginseng may help you to develop better mental alertness and brain function. Consider ginseng as part your diet to help you become stronger and healthier.
Posted in Ginseng Tea
Posted on 20 November 2009. Tags: Benefits, Drinking, Healing, Herbal, Remedies
With using different types of tea leaves for brewing, herbal tea remedies can come in different taste and blend. Then, there are also organic tea leaves; supposedly one grade higher than the rest and commanding a premium price. Some prepackaged teas also have a combination of more than one herb. You would find that you are spoilt for choice.
The most vital thing to remember about drinking herbal tea is that you can use its healing properties to improve your health. Although herbs have been around for many thousands of years already, it is only recently that they become more well loved especially with those who have been used to consuming a diet of coffee and taking drugs for instant reliefs. Herbal tea remedies are considered generally safer and with fewer side effects.
In the United Kingdom, for instance, many have started to drink more teas. The increase in popularity is a natural occurrence since the British already drink a lot of black tea. The thought that tea can help to soothe a medical problem adds to the heightened interest. In fact, most people drink 1,000 cups of tea each year.
As previously mentioned, each type of tea has different benefits. For instance, Chamomile tea is a mild sedative. Other herbal tea remedies can help to improve your digestive system, detoxify your body and improve your circulation. Of course, all of these things can also help to improve your mood, thus making you feel a lot more pleased and relaxed.
With increased popularity, you can buy herbal teas from your local supermarket. Many supermarkets and stores also have their own herbal tea brands available. Specialty stores selling tea may even go so far as to clarify what the different benefits of each tea are.
Even then, it is vital to remember that you still need to thread with caution. In large quantities or for certain types of herbs, there can be some negative effects from herbal remedies. There are 2 different reasons for this:
1. Some of the herbal tea’s ingredients look very similar to other plants that can really be harmful to your body. For this reason, you should never pick your own herbs unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing.
2. If your doctor has prescribed you some medications for a medical condition, consuming certain types of herbal tea may have a negative effect on your body.
Be prepared to be amazed by the different taste sensations of herbal tea remedies. A right connoisseur will tell you that no two cups taste exactly the same! If you have read about the dangers of becoming addicted to caffeine, then consider herbal teas as an alternative. Many herbal tea remedies do not contain caffeine. Instead of coffee, reckon about switching to a cup of tea today.
Posted in Tea Stores
Posted on 16 November 2009. Tags: Beer, Benefits, Drink, Green, Less, More
Everybody has heard about the fantastic benefits of green tea, but still we drink beer! Green tea has a lot of fantastic benefits and contains a lot of medicinal and nutritional properties. These really deserve to be known because it can save your life one day!
For thousands of years, the Chinese have been drinking green tea and enjoying brilliant health benefits. They even used to drink green tea for its medicinal properties, as the Chinese were able to avoid and even treat different kinds of illnesses. It is also linked to the long life that the Chinese have loved and became renown for. They have the highest rate for people living over the age of a hundred. That should be enough proof! Although the Chinese have been drinking this kind of tea for centuries, it was only recently that green tea has been introduced and became well loved throughout the planet. I have to through the blame on Coke on this one!
Scientists and nutritionists have found that this incredible drink does indeed have medicinal properties that can help prevent several types of illnesses including this age’s plague, cancer. In fact, there are even doctors who recommend green tea for any kind of illness and insist that drinking it regularly plays a fantastic role in maintaining excellent health. What is it exactly that makes this magical drink such a miracle that it even perplexed health professionals from all over the world?
First, this tea contains high levels of antioxidants, which are called Polyphenols or Flavonoids. Why do we need antioxidants anyway? We need to know that the body does millions of processes that are happening at all times. Even when you are asleep, the brain, cells, organs and every part of our body is active building and repairing. This magnificent building operation requires oxygen in order to be done properly. Somebody might question, what’s incorrect with Oxygen? The oxygen that we breathe isn’t hundred percent pure and clean and can contain a lot of oxidants like dust particles, smoke, pollutions, germs, viruses and all kind of harmful micro particles. These oxidants or commonly known as free radicals and are penetrating our system every single day. These free radicals are known to be one of the main stimuli in the growth of cancer cells.
So, in order to fight or reduce the effect of oxidants or free radicals, we will need to introduce antioxidants in our body, very powerful ones in the case of some people! And guess what, green tea has a lot of them. Although some other natural herbs and fruits do have antioxidants, you will see that green tea has a lot more. In fact, the antioxidants found on green tea are much higher than that found in grape juice and red wine.
Second, this incredible drink also contains vitamins, such as vitamin B6, which plays a vital role in the metabolism of the body. That’s why everybody drinks green tea to lose stout and weight. Additionally, vitamins B1 and B2, which are essential for releasing energy from food, which is really excellent because it converts directly into energy that you can use in your daily exercises and your work. Another fantastic thing about this tea is that it has key minerals such as magnesium, which is essential for bone growth and body development as well as potassium, which helps in keeping the heart pumping normally and maintain the body’s fluid levels. I thought only milk has such minerals and bone supporting nutrition!
Green tea has caffeine though just like coffee. You may place it as a “disadvantage” but compared to coffee and other teas, it is the best caffeine you can place into your body system! Let me clarify, the caffeine that we get from coffee and regular teas has immediate effects on our nervous system. It can raise blood pressure and make our heart beats quicker than normal due to its instant stimulating effects. Surprisingly, caffeine in green tea is more beneficial than the caffeine taken from coffee. It works through the body in a different mechanism. It alerts our system, but in a prolonged kind of and effect so we don’t experience sudden spikes in blood pressure, heart beat rate and nervousness. And again, it helps you lose that extra stout in your body, without the harmful caffeine effects!
To experience the utmost health benefits, green tea is preferably brewed rather than fermented. Fermentation is most likely used in black tea but never in green tea. There are basically three vital reasons why brewing is used in green tea.
Reason # 1 – Brewing doesn’t eliminate the vital nutrients, vitamins and components that comprise green tea. On the other hand, fermentation wastes a lot of the nutritional tea components leaving more and less an enjoyable beverage.
Reason # 2 – Brewing can bring out the best in Catechin and Theanin, the two elements that contribute to a lower level of caffeine in your green tea.
Reason # 3 – Brewing enhances taste and aroma. Indeed, brewing has a very enticing smell that can’t be found in fermented beverages.
Brewing green tea is simpler contrary to what people might reckon.
Here are the tips for the best brewed green tea:-
Tip 1 – The type of water
Choosing what kind of water to use is a very vital detail that you have to take note of. Ideally, manufacturers would prefer brewing green tea using soft mineral water or natural water. If you can’t afford purchasing bottled water daily, you can take into consideration tap water. If you’re plotting to use European bottled water, don’t. It’s because this kind of water is considered hard water that is not suitable for brewing green tea.
Tip 2 – Chlorine free water
Chlorine must not be mixed with the process. To remove it, just leave your water in your pot for a couple of hours before finally boiling it.
Tip 3 – The boiling process
Depending on how much water you have place, it will be the time that you have to boil. Whenever the water starts to boil, take off the lid of the pot and let it boil continuously for a few more minutes.
Tip 4 – Temperature
It is said that right temperature of boiling water will vary on the kind of tea that you are about to use. This is the moment when the extraction of Polyphenols takes place. When you buy green tea, usually there will be there some instructions on the temperature to use.
Tip 5 – Steep
Let your tea steep for about three to five minutes. With longer steeping time, the Polyphenol level increases while if steeping time takes only a couple of seconds, it will result in more caffeine content in the tea.
Tip 6 – Tea leaves
Research shows that it is better to brew green tea leaves that are smaller because of the quick infusion. Choosing large leaves or ones that are tightly curved can have a longer infusion time.
Tip 7 – Teabags or loose leaves?
It is more advisable to use loose green tea than green tea teabags. Loose green tea enables Polyphenols to freely float inside your cup of green tea instead of locking them inside teabags.
Posted in Organic Black Tea
Posted on 14 November 2009. Tags: Benefits, Fruit, Herbal, Infusions
Most people are aware generally of the health benefits of herbal tea. The many vitamins and minerals contained in plants, especially when brewed into a liquid form, can provide essential nutritional support for the human body. The thought of adding fruit infusions to herbal tea only multiplies the possible benefits within a brewed concoction. Herbal tea with fruit infusions is nearly too excellent to be right. The plants that are used in most teas are by themselves full of nutritional elements. The green teas from Asia, the yerba tea from Brazil, and the rooibos from South Africa are full of essential vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and antioxidants that are so very excellent for human health. The addition of the vitamin-packed fruits that are used in fruit infusions can provide much more than the daily recommended requirements for these nutrients. The healthy aspects of drinking herbal tea with fruit infusions are complemented by the possibility of a wonderful tasting beverage. Many people have found that herbal tea with fruit infusions are fine as a hot drink, but are especially tasty when served cold. The habit of serving lemonade or fruit juice can be alternated with fruit-laced herbal tea, served over ice. In many ways, this type of beverage is more healthy overall, since the addition of a sweetener is not required, unless one desires it. Another way in which herbal tea with fruit infusions is being consumed is a new take on an ancient routine. Many people have learned the trick of brewing a pot of this kind of tea and then freezing it in ice cube trays, providing a very tasty and healthy way to delight in a quick refresher on those hot summer days. This used to be done with artificially-flavored drinks and sodas, which served the same purpose yet contained a excellent deal of man-made chemical additives. This method, using herbal tea with fruit infusions, delivers nothing but natural goodness in an ice cold treat. Some exotic blends are available in fruit infusions. Wild berries make for a very tasty beverage, and are very adaptable to being combined with herbal tea. Elderberries, blackberries, raspberries, and the ever-well loved strawberries are very tasteful when included in a fruit infusion brew, and they can naturally enhance the flavor of any herb or plant that is used in a tea mixture. Apples are also a very excellent addition to an herbal beverage, as anyone knows who has had hot apple cider on a cold day. There are other elements that can be used in fruit infusions as well. Hibiscus flowers and parts of the rose flower, such as rose hips and rose buds, are very complementary to herbal teas. Citrus fruits are also brilliant choices for brews of this kind, including the essence of the peel of lime, orange, and lemon. These elements add a zesty tang that helps to bring out the natural flavor of many herbal teas. These are just a few of the available fruit infusions that can be found among the herbal tea offerings.
Posted in Loose Leaf Green Tea
Posted on 14 November 2009. Tags: Benefits, Extract, Green, Health
Tea is made from the dried leaves of a shrub called Camellia sinensis. Historically, India, China, Japan, and Thailand have been drinking its brew for thousands of years. Because ancient sages realized the health benefits of green tea, it became part of their rituals and ceremonies. Tea drinking is inculcated in the culture of most Asian countries. India and China were the first cultivators of tea and still are today, the largest producers of tea. Chemical Composition of Green TeaGreen tea is made from unfermented leaves and reportedly contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, the most vital of which are flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and proanthocyanidins). Out of these flavonoids, Epigallocatechin gallate is the most significant active compound. Dried green tea leaves generally contain from 8-12% total polyphenols, caffeine (3. 5%), theanine (~4%), lignin (6. 5%), organic acids (1. 5%), protein (15%), and chlorophyll (0. 5%). Green tea contains B-vitamins and ascorbic acid, which are ruined in the process of making black tea. The essential oil contains more than 300 components including aldehydes, phenylethyl alcohols, phenols, hexenal, linalool, dihydroactinidiolide and p-vinylphenol. Traditional UsesTraditionally, Chinese and Indian medicine used green tea as a stimulant, diuretic (to promote the excretion of urine), astringent (to control bleeding and help heal wounds), and to improve heart health. Other traditional uses of green tea include treating flatulence (gas), regulating body temperature and blood sugar, promoting digestion, and improving mental processes. Health Benefits of Green TeaExtensive medical research on the benefits of Green Tea is showing positive results. Studies indicate: Green Tea can help to protect against a range of cancers. According to the U. S. National Cancer Institute, polyphenols containing catechins present in green tea may play an vital role in the prevention of cancer. Emerging studies also suggest that polyphenols inactivate oxidants, reduce the number and size of tumors, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. (New Scientist, 20 March 2004). Studies in particular have been conducted on cancers of the bladder, breast, ovaries, esophagus, lungs, pancreas, prostate, skin, and stomach. Green Tea can help to prevent Atherosclerosis. Antioxidants in green tea are believed to prevent fatty buildup in the arteries by suppressing the oxidation of LDL (“terrible”) cholesterol. They may also reduce the likelihood of blood clot formation and help in relaxing blood vessels thereby improving blood flow. Green Tea can help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Research indicates that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL (“excellent”) cholesterol in both animals and people. Polyphenols in green tea help block the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and promote its excretion from the body. Green Tea can help to control Diabetes. Green tea has been used traditionally to control blood sugar in the body. Studies indicate Green tea may help regulate glucose in the body. Green Tea can help to protect against Liver disease. Green tea seems to protect the liver from the damaging effects of toxic substances such as alcohol. Weight loss. Studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn stout. Some researchers speculate polyphenols, specifically catechins, are responsible for the herb’s stout-burning effect. Relaxation. Due to the presence of the amino acid, L-theanine, drinking a hot cup of green tea helps produce a relaxed feeling, increasing alertness of mind. Green tea can help to boost the immune system. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital research suggests that theanine present in green tea boosts the disease fighting capacity of Gamma Delta T cells and helps the body to fight infections. Green tea helps to make the digestive and respiratory system strong because it is rich in bioflavonoids. Green tea is anti-bacterial and helps prevent dental cavities. Two to three cups of green tea per day (for a total of 240 to 320 mg polyphenols) is recommended. It is best to get green tea concentrate from its natural form, green tea itself. But if you don’t like the flavor, or don’t have the time, and want to make sure your body is benefiting from green tea antioxidants you may want to try Green Tea Extracts or Green Tea Drops. Green Tea Plus is a heavily concentrated form of green tea. It has an antioxidant value of 7800 units. Green Tea Plus has added trace minerals to aid in regular body functions. It can be added to any beverage, even water.
Posted in Organic Black Tea