Tea has been around for thousands of years and embodies natural healing properties for both the mind and body. Tea has less caffeine than coffee; it is a great way to get your daily intake of fluids and can actually improve your health!
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Tea 101
Tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant, and depending on how long the leaves are processed, the color will be green, black, or oolong (a greenish-black color). Herbal teas come from other plants and fruits, and are sometimes combined with oils for enhanced flavor.
Green tea is the most highly concentrated with polyphenols, which are packed with health benefits and essentially anti-oxidants. Polyphenols are helpful for inflammation and also to prevent certain types of cancer. Green tea is also great for boosting metabolism and burning fat when you are dieting. It also fights bacteria in your mouth and helps keep your teeth healthy.
Black tea has been processed the longest and has the least amount of caffeine. It is also sometimes mixed with other things to create flavored teas like Earl Gray or Chai. Studies have shown that black tea is helpful in preventing cancer and regenerating cells. Other research shows that tea has a positive effect on improving heart health, lowering the risk of stroke, diabetes and kidney issues along with neurological disorders.
The oolong variety of tea is somewhere in the middle regarding processing time and color. Oolong is carefully tended during oxidation, and the taste varies widely based on the region where it was grown. The health benefits associated with oolong are lowered risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, ovarian cancer and help in reducing cholesterol.
Choose the Right Tea for You
Along with all the fantastic health benefits, tea can also provide a soothing, relaxing solution for stress and anxiety. For people who struggle with a demanding schedule and stressful life, tea can help to not only calm the nerves but also provide a relaxing sense of peace and mindfulness to go with it.
Some herbal teas are infused with flowers and plants. For example, chamomile tea is great for someone with anxiety or difficulty sleeping. Not only is it an antispasmodic, but it is also a natural calming agent. When combined with lavender, a cup of this tea can help to relax your entire nervous system and put you in a state of peaceful bliss. When your mind is at ease, so is your body and spirit.
Ginger tea is excellent for digestion and helps with nausea. If you suffer from a heart condition, green or black tea can help lighten the stress on your heart, improve blood flow, and lower the risk of stroke. If you are chronically ill or have trouble healing, then try some Holy basil or tulsi tea as both are natural immune boosters and include antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Tea for Healing Gout
For those who suffer from gout, tea may be a great option. Not only is tea much better for you than alcohol or sugary beverages, which can exacerbate the problem, but tea can also actually heal the symptoms of gout while getting more water into your body as a bonus.
Along with genetics, some of the causes of gout may be kidney disease, obesity, and high blood pressure. Since many types of tea help to regulate blood pressure, flush out the kidneys and keep them working efficiently while also helping with weight control, tea could potentially cure or prevent gout.
A study of gout sufferers, showed that drinking more than eight glasses of water a day reduced their likelihood of a gout attack by almost 50 percent. Staying well hydrated is a surefire way to keep gout in check and eliminate symptom flare-ups. Add a tea bag to the water you are already drinking, and you help your body in even more ways.
There is nothing quite a soothing as a hot cup of tea after a long day. Whether you drink it to calm your nerves or to improve your health, one thing is for sure; tea is a great choice when choosing what beverage to drink.
