The Uses and Advantages of Herbal Beverages

In the past, herbal medicine was more frequently used compared with the present. More recently the interest in herbal medicinal products, especially in the field of healthy nutrition, dermatology and cosmetics, has risen enormously. Many plant-derived substances show photo protective properties in terms of absorption of UV radiation and preventing photo damage to molecular structures of human skin. Modern phytopharmaceutics as well as phytocosmetics have standardized, defined methods for the herbal matrix.

The pharmacological effect of the compounds could be foreseen from their chemical structure. The development of rational technology of pharmaceutical preparations follows the identification of active constituents in pharmaceutical herbs their good-to-excellent effect.

Numerous examples can be found in many literature citations, and in fact in many potions are used for different ailments e.g. The buckwheat herb (Fagopyrum esculentum is rich in flavonoids, which have been identified as potent antioxidants and have a high content of phenolics, and a low content of the phototoxic fagopyrin. the extractable matter, contains fagopyrin, rutin, and chlorogenic acid.

Pharmaceutical herbal preparations have been used for the treatment of respiratory diseases for a long time. Alongside with the well known herbs, there are many of crude drugs to be investigated and applied in therapeutics. Respiratory diseases are mainly treated by chemical medicines and antibiotics. The use of herbal preparations is limited and they are usually used as supplemental ones. Biochemical processes in plants, chemical compounds and information on their value in therapy were shown too beneficial. The pharmacological effect of the compounds often arises from their chemical structure elucidation and knowledge. Hence, the development of rational technology of pharmaceutical preparations follows the identification of active constituents in pharmaceutical herbs. The proper use of pharmaceutical herbs supplies the organism with the natural substances, thus preventing various diseases.

An anti-influenza virus agent contains the medicinal herb extracts including Houttuyniae herbal extract, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Seem extract, Saposhnikoviae Radix extract and Bupleurum falcatum L. extract, wherein the medicinal herb extracts are prepared by extracting the medicinal herbs with at least one solvent selected from C1-C4 lower alcohol, ethyl acetate, acetone, water and hexane.

The traditional Chinese herb tripterygium wilfordii contains diterpenoid triepoxides comprise triptolide, triptodiolide, triptonide etc. are used to prepare a drug for treating neoplasm.

A nutritious food composition containing an herbal extract as a main component isomaltooligosaccharide,, high fructose and other additives which supplies sufficient nutrients to a woman in childbed and improves the immunity and thus helps the child-bed woman maintain and improve the health. The nutritious food composition contains 10 to 20% by weight of a herbal extract e.g.arabic gum, taurine, silk peptide, polydextrose and herb flavors.These are but a few examples of the many that are developed, and introduced in the market instead as a subsidiary or complimentary medicine.

However, it is worthy to note, and in long time use, that some of these potions have side effects and slow toxic inducement, e.g. the Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum L.), is known to contain a neurotoxin, and may have been inadvertently mixed into the herbal tea. In view of the severity of the adverse health effects and the clear association with consumption of a specific herbal tea, the suspected herbal tea was quickly withdrawn from the market. Consumption of the herbal tea caused required hospitalization of persons due to generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Morphologic and organoleptic investigations of the suspected herbal tea indicated that this possibly contained the neurotoxin anisatin, a non-competitive GABA-antagonist which can cause hyperactivity of the central nervous system and tonic-clonic seizures. Hence ingestion of a herbal tea containing anisatin caused the reported serious adverse health effects.

Our advice is that one has to treat these herbal drugs with caution and after considerable consultation lest serious adverse or allergic effects may arise during treatment and use.

Health Benefits of Chinese Green Tea

Chinese green tea benefits are numerous - most are health-related but some are cultural, especially in China, the home of green tea. Here, people drink green tea during meals to improve digestion and dissolve oil or fat in the food, and throughout the day as a refreshing beverage. Green tea is also offered to visitors to welcome them into the home or workplace, and it's a common ingredient in many traditional health remedies. Listed below are some Chinese green tea benefits, as well as common green tea uses, and tips on how to make a cup of green tea.

Chinese Green Tea Benefits
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, these are some important green tea medical benefits:
• Stops thirst
• Stimulates appetite
• Improves digestion
• Diuretic
• Clears heat from your body
• Removes phlegm
• Reduces fat
• Reduces high cholesterol

Green Tea Uses
While there are numerous Chinese green tea benefits, there are also many traditional green tea uses, not just as a drink, but as a skin wash, a mouthwash, and as an ingredient in folk remedies.

Green tea mouthwash: Trying to find green tea mouthwash to buy? The traditional way is to simply place 1-3 grams of loose green tea leaves in a cup and add hot water. When it cools, use the tea to rinse your mouth. Repeat as often as you like. Green tea cleans your teeth and prevents tooth decay and problems like gingivitis.

Green tea cleansing skin care wash: Another of the traditional green tea uses - to cleanse and cool your face and body skin. It's also used in cases of swelling, inflammation and itching, e.g. from insect bites and sunburn. Steep 6 grams of loose or whole green tea leaves in a bowl of hot water. When cool, apply the leaves directly to the skin or use the tea water to wash the skin.

Green tea and weight control: It is generally believed in China that you can drink green tea to lose weight. For this reason it is not uncommon for thin people to be advised not to drink too much tea. Pu Er Tea from Yunnan province in China is renowned for its ability to benefit digestion, reduce fat and treat obesity. Steep 6 grams of the tea in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink throughout the day by topping up the cup with fresh, hot water as required. Cover the cup when not in use.

Green tea infusions: As mentioned, green tea is also a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicinal teas, for example:
1. Green tea and honey - constipation remedy.
2. Green tea, garlic and natural brown sugar - to kill germs and resolve toxins.
3. Green tea, chrysanthemum flowers and honey - for headache, dizziness and sore eyes.

Caffeine Content in Green Tea
The caffeine content in green tea depends on the type of tea, brewing time in the cup or pot, and what part of the plant the leaf is from. One cup of green tea may contain 20-40 mg of caffeine - a cup of coffee may contain 100mg or more. Unless you have a medical condition or are taking medication requiring you to limit your caffeine intake, you shouldn't be too concerned about the caffeine content in green tea. What you should do is replace coffee (which does far more harm than good) with 3-5cups a day of green tea - there are so many Chinese green tea benefits you're really missing out if you don't drink it.

How to make green tea (cup)

• Boil water (use as pure a water as possible and a non-plastic kettle) then let it cool for a few minutes.
• Place desired amount of whole green tea leaves in the cup & add a small amount of hot water. Swish the water around to wash the tea leaves, and then tip it out.
• Top up the cup with hot water & let steep for 2-3 minutes before drinking.
• Re-use the leaves up to 3 times throughout the day by topping up the cup with fresh, hot water each time. Cover the cup when not in use.

With the interest in Chinese green tea benefits increasing in Western countries, more studies are being conducted to verify the traditional claims from China. Chinese people don't need scientific proof of the benefits of green tea though - they've been consuming it for at least 2 thousand years, so they already know it's good for you.

Health Benefits of Tea and Coffee

Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful," says Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies, which conducts its own medical research and tracks coffee studies from around the world. "For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good."

Consider this: At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones.

Coffee even offsets some of the damage caused by other vices, some research indicates. "People who smoke and are heavy drinkers have less heart disease and liver damage when they regularly consume large amounts of coffee compared to those who don't," says DePaulis.

Indeed, the brain responds to coffee in a unique way. The extra alertness can often help to focus, concentrate and even remember details at a higher rate.

Coffee also aids workers to concentrate. 200mg of caffeine can significantly reduce the tendency towards sleepiness and convert grogginess to alertness and concentration. In fact, coffee usually helps workers for at least 5-7 hours which can help out for the entire shift.

Also, many workers will find themselves feeling especially groggy after lunch. This is also an efficient time to drink coffee because attention, memory and concentration are most likely a part of the job. There are also studies that have shown that people who drink coffee over the lunch hour are more contented and more interested in their work, as well as more alert. However, it is also important that addiction to coffee can eventually increase the rate of irritability.

It is also important to consider what is necessary to perform at your best. Coffee can actually increase information processing by 10%. This is especially important for repetitive work. Coffee can also help to deal with the problem of headaches.

Another Health Benefits of Green Tea

The tea category that has lately increased its popularity in the Western consumer market is Green tea. As the rest three of the main four tea varieties (white, oolong and black teas), Green tea comes from the leaves of the plant "Camellia sinensis" after the process of minimal oxidation. Extremely liked for its taste and color in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East, Green tea has become in recent times the focal point of research for its tremendous health benefits and has earned the attention of the general public.

According to Chinese legend, tea was born by an accident. It was due to a sudden wind that some tea leaves fell inside the Chinese Emperor's kettle while water was boiling. When he decided to taste the unique liquid that was been formed, he was so pleased with the outcome that he introduced it to his people and explored the various processes that would enhance its taste and coloring. But although many people believe Green tea to be the less oxidized form of tea, the truth is that White teas are the ones less processed from all tea categories. But as trade developed and Chinese products were exchanged as commodities which meant that they had to travel greater distances intact, the Chinese developed a process to store tea for longer periods of time. During the Tang Dynasty, wild tea was gathered and then steamed on a bamboo tray, which helped grinding the tea leaves into fine pulp called "tea mud." Then tea mud was pressed and left to harden, later dried in the sun and baked to prevent it from rotting. Although these stages of tea process are not similar to the ones used to produce Green tea today, they remained popular over different Chinese Dynasties, playing a significant role in the developing culture of East Asia and transcended through time as a symbol of power and status. This is probably attributed to the fact that it was directly related to the royal times of the great Chinese Emperors.

As early as the 9th century people have been praising Green tea's health benefits and when later in time lifestyle choices and fast-working environments made people extremely tired and stressed out, many began seeking the most appropriate natural methods known to man in order to decompress and find the needed relief or even the cure for their anxieties. Their prayers were answered by Green tea as its health benefits have been well-documented in China for at least 4,000 years. In fact, scientific research in both Asia and the West is providing hard evidence for the health benefits associated with drinking Green tea.

Green tea also fights infections, prevents food poisoning and tooth decay, is known for its positive effects on people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and helps reduce high cholesterol levels. In short, Green tea is a great source of antioxidants and is considered one of the healthier stimulants available to today's consumers. So, next time you need a beverage that will do you some good and taste something different, try consuming the Green tea leaves you can find and purchase from your local grocery shop. You will probably discover your new favorite drink as you can consume it hot or cold, depending on whether you need to relax or rejuvenate in an instant!

China’s Pu-erh Tea

The restorative and medical properties associated with Pu-erh tea are truly astonishing. Often referred to as the "Wonder Tonic" and the "Medicinal Tea", Pu-erh tea has been hugely popular in China for over 1700 years. For centuries it was given as a tribute to the Emperor and high ranking officials within the Imperial Courts of China. Its high value and many health benefits lead to high demands and the frequency of the tributes gave it the title "Tribute Tea".

Accounts on the health benefits and medical use of Pu-erh tea has been documented in various ancient scripts and famous books throughout Chinese history. Pu-erh tea is strongly believed to have wide ranging health benefits from anti aging, prevention of heart disease, diabetic control, removal of toxins to curing dysentery, inflammation, aiding digestion and weight loss, improving the eyesight, blood circulation and reviving those who are overly intoxicated with alcohol.

The long term consumption of Pu-erh tea is believed to help reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and play an important role in preventing heart disease. Pu-erh tea made from wild old tea trees are reputed to be more potent, containing strong Qi (translated as "life energy" or "life force") that helps with the body's blood circulation and aiding the removal of toxins.

In many traditional Chinese restaurants especially those serving dim sum dishes Pu-erh tea is the customary drink served. Its ability to break down oily and fatty food and aid digestion makes it an ideal drink to have alongside delicious Chinese dishes that are often high in fat. After a heavy meal drinking Pu-erh tea is said to help clean the intestines and stomach. In some quarters Pu-erh tea is used as a slimming tea and consumed to assist with weight loss.

Green Tea’s Major Benefits

A plethora of images, memories and ideas come up when someone thinks of a cup of tea. For some it is gallons of sun tea brewing on the back porch while for others it is a memory of cold nights by the fireplace. One of the most popular teas to brew out of all the ones on the market is green tea. There are numerous benefits to green tea that can range from flavor to health benefits. The following are the three major benefits of green tea: enjoyment, energy and essential health benefits.

Enjoyment
The sheer enjoyment that goes along with a soothing cup of green tea is perhaps the simplest benefit. This drink is a favorite because of its light and delicate flavors which makes it a good complement to breakfasts, lunch and dinner. Green tea is fabulous with honey even though it can be served with or without sweeteners. Green tea is not longer only being served as a hot beverage. Now it is served as a cold bottled beverages and a component in smoothies or frappes. Now you can enjoy the flavor of green tea even on hot summer days.

Energy
Another benefit of green tea in addition to enjoyment is the energy factor. Green tea has caffeine like coffee. Green tea contains less caffeine, but it is still a great way to get over the late afternoon hump. The benefit of green tea is actually this small dose of caffeine since it is just enough to give you a boost but doesn’t cause the jittery, anxious feeling typically associated with other caffeinated beverages. So consider pouring a hot cup of water and dipping in a bag of green tea the next time you go to the coffee machine in your office.

Essential Health Benefits
Two great benefits of green tea are the enjoyment and energy, but the greatest benefit is the health benefits. These are becoming increasingly more noticeable with green tea. Antioxidants are abundant in green tea and they help counterbalance free radicals. As a result of our bodies natural metabolic processes, free radical are produced which cause damage to our cells. Antioxidants prevent some of this damage by counterbalancing these free radicals. Follow the urge to grab a cup and enjoy some green tea no matter which of the three benefits interest you.

Green Tea for Yeast Infection

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ward off yeast infections in the first place. One home remedy for yeast infection is simply to drink good quality, fresh green tea everyday. Organic green tea would even be better. Also, limit the amount of sweet you eat. Candida breeds even more profusely when you ingest a lot of sugar.

Green tea is a known natural remedy for yeast infection. It is because polyphenols in green tea have been shown to inhibit many other bacteria capable of causing infections.

Green tea protects against disease-causing microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. It also promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.

Other than making sure you drink quality green tea everyday, another home remedy for yeast infection is to make sure that you don't create a breeding ground for bacteria. Always keep yourself dry. Tight fitting clothes doens't allow for good air circulation. Use cotton or other natural fibers. Limit your use of lycra spandex, leather, and other fabrics that don't breathe.

Sugar can cause chronic yeast infections. Use brown sugar or honey, instead. They take longer to break down in your body, thereby lessening the amount of circulating blood sugars.

Avoid foods that are "yeasty" such as bread, mushrooms, and alcoholic beverages. Studies have shown that avoiding these types of foods for three to six months will often notice a significant improvement.

Avoid bubble baths, scented tampons, colored toilet paper, and products with dyes, perfumes, and other chemicals that can irritate vaginal tissues. Use unscented, white toilet paper instead.
Another great natural remedy for yeast infection is to eat a live-culture yogurt.

Keep stress under control. It's true! Stress can cause or aggravate your condition. Drinking warm green tea before you start your day and throughout the day, will not only cleans your whole system but provide a very relaxing mood as well.