Do you think that tea is just a wad of dried leaves stuffed in small bags? Or a hot beverage to have with breakfast? Think again! Tea is actually much more than that. Did you know that all the tea drunk in the world, no matter whether it is white, green, red, brown, or black, and no matter where it comes from, is made of the leaves of the same evergreen tree or bush? Browsing through ancient Chinese legend, the first cup of tea originated in 2737 B.C., when the leaves of a black tea shrub accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water prepared for Emperor Shen Nung, known famously as the father of Chinese medicine. Ever since, Asian monks and herbalists have used teas to treat various ailments, from curing flu to correcting complexion blemishes.
Korea, like its Pacific neighbors, is also an ardent tea-drinking country with a rich ceremonial tea culture. It owes its tea heritage to the enthusiasm and devotion of Buddhist monks who traveled the globe spreading Buddhism and popularized tea as a form of meditation tool. Being in Seoul, you would have definitely paid a visit to Insadong which is a shopping paradise for antique lovers. It also houses many tea specialty shops and tea houses. Bumping into one such specialty shop, I was literally lost in the myriad forms of tea. Never in my life did I imagine that there could be tea made of lotus leaf, lotus root, chrysanthemum, azelia, mulberry leaves, dandelion, mugwart, mulberry leaves, bush clover, jasmine tea, rose tea, and the list is endless. All one has to do is to step into the shop and state the kind of ailment that you suffer from. Voila, the remedy is just a step away. Every kind of tea has it benefits pasted right below the rack it is placed on and the friendly english-speaking lady in the shop is too glad to help you locate one suiting your needs. The best part is, you also get to taste one before you make your mind.
Although there are many theories about the health benefits of tea, scientific research has only recently begun to uncover evidence that might support these claims. Here's what we know, and don't fully know about our favorite cuppa.
Like the Rust-Oleum paint that keeps your outdoor furniture from rusting, tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution. Flavonoids in tea are proven to help protect body cells from damage by free radicals, which occur in nature and which form naturally when the body uses oxygen and offers protection from cancer, heart disease and stroke.
If drinking coffee gives you the jitters, causes indigestion or headaches or interferes with sleep, then it is time to switch to tea. Whether consumed hot or cold, a cup of tea contains caffeine, about half as much as a cup of coffee. The actual amount depends on the tea blend, its preparation method and the brewing time. Moderate amounts of caffeine pose no health risks for healthy adults. If you need or choose to cut back on caffeine, look for decaffeinated tea.
Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Unwanted blood clots formed from cholesterol and blood platelets cause heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea may help keep your arteries smooth and clog-free, the same way a drain keeps your bathroom pipes clear. Vote for tea for a healthy smile. Tea can supply a significant amount of fluoride, important for keeping tooth enamel strong. Tea leaves contain fluoride, extracted when tea is brewed. Tea offers protection against cancer. Thank the polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea, once again for their cancer-fighting effects. Tea is calorie-free
Spiced tea is the best remedy for soothing digestive ailments. Ginger, known as "the hot root," warms you from head to toe and stimulates digestion-aiding enzymes. It also cures both morning and motion sicknesses. And look no further than your spice rack for relief from menstrual cramps, gas and heartburn. Fennel, anise, coriander and cardamom all have antispasmodic properties and help create movement in the intestines.
The quest for retaining youth has always been a fascination for humans from time immemorial. Here is a simple solution. Tea made from rose hips is the ultimate age-defying and skin-hydrating brew, thanks to nutrients such as longevity-promoting vitamin K and free-radical-damage-fixing bioflavonoids and citrics. Revive lackluster hair, skin and nails by drinking tea prepared from this prehistoric plant. Make it work double duty by placing warm tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness. If your hair is dull from product buildup, try a rosemary tea rinse. Rosemary cleans hair follicles and promotes hair growth.
Having spoken loads of benefits of drinking tea, here are some negatives about the same favorite cuppa. A word of caution for people who have sensitive stomachs. Though tea vendors strongly go against this theory, the caffeine content could cause side effects like nervousness, insomnia, an increase in blood pressure and rise in heart rate. Pregnant women should stay away from green tea as the caffeine contents in tea may be harmful to the baby. Though the friendly vendor at the local tea store bragged on about tea cleaning the respiratory system, it is also said that Green tea may worsen asthma.
It is always better to be cautious than to suffer in ignorance. These are a few myth busters about tea one needs to keep in mind before venturing on its medicinal properties. Remember, anything consumed in moderation is better than overloading your body with unwanted stuff. With all the hype about the pros and cons of tea, I should admit that a hot cup of tea is all I need to revive my body and soul after a tiring day. So go ahead and enjoy you cup of health.
Korea, like its Pacific neighbors, is also an ardent tea-drinking country with a rich ceremonial tea culture. It owes its tea heritage to the enthusiasm and devotion of Buddhist monks who traveled the globe spreading Buddhism and popularized tea as a form of meditation tool. Being in Seoul, you would have definitely paid a visit to Insadong which is a shopping paradise for antique lovers. It also houses many tea specialty shops and tea houses. Bumping into one such specialty shop, I was literally lost in the myriad forms of tea. Never in my life did I imagine that there could be tea made of lotus leaf, lotus root, chrysanthemum, azelia, mulberry leaves, dandelion, mugwart, mulberry leaves, bush clover, jasmine tea, rose tea, and the list is endless. All one has to do is to step into the shop and state the kind of ailment that you suffer from. Voila, the remedy is just a step away. Every kind of tea has it benefits pasted right below the rack it is placed on and the friendly english-speaking lady in the shop is too glad to help you locate one suiting your needs. The best part is, you also get to taste one before you make your mind.
Although there are many theories about the health benefits of tea, scientific research has only recently begun to uncover evidence that might support these claims. Here's what we know, and don't fully know about our favorite cuppa.
Like the Rust-Oleum paint that keeps your outdoor furniture from rusting, tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution. Flavonoids in tea are proven to help protect body cells from damage by free radicals, which occur in nature and which form naturally when the body uses oxygen and offers protection from cancer, heart disease and stroke.
If drinking coffee gives you the jitters, causes indigestion or headaches or interferes with sleep, then it is time to switch to tea. Whether consumed hot or cold, a cup of tea contains caffeine, about half as much as a cup of coffee. The actual amount depends on the tea blend, its preparation method and the brewing time. Moderate amounts of caffeine pose no health risks for healthy adults. If you need or choose to cut back on caffeine, look for decaffeinated tea.
Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Unwanted blood clots formed from cholesterol and blood platelets cause heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea may help keep your arteries smooth and clog-free, the same way a drain keeps your bathroom pipes clear. Vote for tea for a healthy smile. Tea can supply a significant amount of fluoride, important for keeping tooth enamel strong. Tea leaves contain fluoride, extracted when tea is brewed. Tea offers protection against cancer. Thank the polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea, once again for their cancer-fighting effects. Tea is calorie-free
Spiced tea is the best remedy for soothing digestive ailments. Ginger, known as "the hot root," warms you from head to toe and stimulates digestion-aiding enzymes. It also cures both morning and motion sicknesses. And look no further than your spice rack for relief from menstrual cramps, gas and heartburn. Fennel, anise, coriander and cardamom all have antispasmodic properties and help create movement in the intestines.
The quest for retaining youth has always been a fascination for humans from time immemorial. Here is a simple solution. Tea made from rose hips is the ultimate age-defying and skin-hydrating brew, thanks to nutrients such as longevity-promoting vitamin K and free-radical-damage-fixing bioflavonoids and citrics. Revive lackluster hair, skin and nails by drinking tea prepared from this prehistoric plant. Make it work double duty by placing warm tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness. If your hair is dull from product buildup, try a rosemary tea rinse. Rosemary cleans hair follicles and promotes hair growth.
Having spoken loads of benefits of drinking tea, here are some negatives about the same favorite cuppa. A word of caution for people who have sensitive stomachs. Though tea vendors strongly go against this theory, the caffeine content could cause side effects like nervousness, insomnia, an increase in blood pressure and rise in heart rate. Pregnant women should stay away from green tea as the caffeine contents in tea may be harmful to the baby. Though the friendly vendor at the local tea store bragged on about tea cleaning the respiratory system, it is also said that Green tea may worsen asthma.
It is always better to be cautious than to suffer in ignorance. These are a few myth busters about tea one needs to keep in mind before venturing on its medicinal properties. Remember, anything consumed in moderation is better than overloading your body with unwanted stuff. With all the hype about the pros and cons of tea, I should admit that a hot cup of tea is all I need to revive my body and soul after a tiring day. So go ahead and enjoy you cup of health.
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