IN NOVAT I V E, H E A LT HY, A ND DE LI CI O U S
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN A TEACUP ///BY PENELOPE CARLEVATO, R.N.
For years, tea and herbs were the main source of helping sooth that upset tummy or a sore throat. During that time, people did not have the luxury of medicine to provide instant relief for a headache or sore muscles. Instead, herbs and tonics were the go-to source for relief. Many people still use old remedies made from herbs and spices passed down from generation to generation in the form of a hot drink. Their afternoons included tea time—daily diets of the wealthy and poor. In today’s world of chemical wonders, tea still has a prominent place in providing relief. The leaves that revitalize and restore health are from the Camellia Senesis bush, a member of the evergreen family that thrives best in fertile hilly regions. Tea is very economical, yielding 300 cups of tea per pound, and is second to water as the most consumed beverage in the world. It is one of the few drinks that has no sodium, no fat, no carbohydrates, no sugar and no calories, unless you add sugar or other additives. Tea includes four varieties: green, black, white, and oolong. Taking tea hot or cold does not change the chemical content or benefits of tea. Scientific research acclaims that tea has incredible health benefits. Tea is rich with natural flavonoids and polyphenols that contain phenolic compounds called catechins. These catechins help in the prevention of oxidative stress, modify carcinogen metabolism, and can prevent damage to our DNA molecules. The catechins in tea can have a preventative effect on cancer, heart disease, cholesterol, clogged arteries, strokes, auto-immune diseases and cognitive issues. Real tea must contain leaves from the Camellia Senesis plant in order to be called “tea.” Herbal “teas” are products of fruits, flowers, leaves, bark, seeds, or roots from plants other than the tea plant. These drinks are tisanes or infusions and are usually caffeine free. A tisane is simply a cup of “tea” made from something else other than a tea leaf.
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