Prior to my abroad experience last semester, I had never thought of tea as a form of medicine. Tea was a drink—an alternative to coffee or hot chocolate in the wintertime. Sure, I heard about the health benefits, but I never actually considered the fact that different teas had different positive effects on the body. It wasn’t until I was placed into a family of tea drinkers that I began to notice the difference between the different herbs, and began to drink tea not only as a means of hydration, staying awake or staying warm, but as a means of healing different ailments.
The first few nights I was with my family, I had tea after dinner and was experiencing a restless sleep. This was fairly normal for anyone adjusting to a new time zone, so I didn’t think much of it until I realized I was drinking caffeine right before getting into bed! I had learned my first tea-drinking lesson: know which ones are caffeinated and which ones are not. Many people who drink tea do so under the assumption that it is “healthier” than coffee because they believe it has less caffeine. While this is true for some types of tea, it is not true for all. In fact, Whispers Café on campus now provides a listing of the caffeine rating for the loose leaf teas sold, which can prove to be a helpful guide to late-night studiers.
There are three main types of caffeine levels: caffeinated, decaffeinated and caffeine-free. Caffeinated versions can range anywhere from 25 milligrams of caffeine per cup to 160 milligrams per cup, significantly altering the way they affect the body. As a stimulant, caffeine improves focus and concentration but also increases nervousness and anxiety.
Decaffeinated tea means that the tea is made from leaves that once had caffeine but have since had the substance extracted or removed. Caffeine-free tea, on the other hand, is an infusion of herbs and leaves, none of which ever had traces of caffeine.
All forms of tea have been touted for their antioxidants and recommended as part of a healthful diet. Red, green and black teas alike contain antioxidants that have been shown to improve overall health functions within the body. More specifically, black teas contain flavanoids that are known to lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammations, improve blood flow and help the body maintain proper sugar levels. Green tea has been linked to the slowing/prevention of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired immune disease and liver disease.
While it may seem difficult to believe that these teas have such an impact on health, it is far easier to see the results of herbal teas or infusions, as they act almost immediately on varying conditions. The effects of these teas are as powerful, if not more so, than those of over-the-counter medications. Don’t believe me? Give it a try. There is a tea for almost every condition, and what’s more, you can often kill two birds with one stone—if you feel anxious and have just eaten, peppermint tea is known to relieve stress and improve digestion. You can also mix tea bags to create new flavors and new cures to your everyday ailments. Trouble sleeping? Try chamomile, lime-blossom, lemongrass or orange-blossom tea. All have anxiety-reducing effects and induce sleep. Digestion troubles? Try chamomile, ginger or peppermint tea, all of which will aid in digestion and ease upset stomachs. Really bad intestinal problems? Try slippery elm, which can relieve gastrointestinal and stomach cramps. Want to cleanse and refresh? Try parsley, which is known for its diuretic effects.
I know, I know, I was skeptical at first too. In fact, I was drinking the tea without knowing the effects and discovering that I was sleeping well—as a result of lime-blossom tea—or feeling energized midday—as a result of red tea with stimulant properties. Give it a try and let me know the results. I’ll be interested to find out the answer to the big question—what is your cup of tea?
Information for this article was provided by: http://www.learn-about-tea.com/health-benefits-of-green-tea.html, http://www.farmaciaencasaonline.es/fitoterapia-homeopatia-control-peso-sist-digestivo-c-232_235.html
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