Herbal Teas - How to Make Them

Herbal remedies are a type of alternative medicine that comes from plant or plant extracts. They are utilized for healing purposes and may address to psychological conditions as well. They have been used for centuries already, and they are known to be the precursor to modern medicine.

Herbal medicines can be bought anywhere. There are drug stores which sell these medicines. And there are also shops which were built for these kinds of medicines alone. Even the internet has been one of the most common resources visited by many people today.

Although herbal remedies are an easy find, you'd consider making them yourself for educational reasons. Aside from having full understanding of the herbal drug, you'd also make things conveniently in your own home. The costs would also be lesser when you make these things on your own.

One of the most popularly used herbal remedies today is the tea. They are the ones frequently manufactured in homes because of the easy steps involved. Read the sections below and find out how you can make herbal teas on your own.

Step No. 1 -- Know The Reason For Which You Need The Tea

This is considered the first step because the preparation is dependent upon the use which you are aiming for. Some teas are used to soothe throats while others are used to relax or uplift the condition of people.

Step No. 2 -- How Much Tea You'll Need

Two cups are the least you can boil on a kettle. You'll find the water evaporating when you use less than two cups. The leaves or extract you'll need will also vary depending on the amount of tea needed.

Step No. 3 -- Boil Water And Add The Leaves Or Extracts

If you have already decided how much tea you'll need, you can start boiling the desired amount of water and pour in the number of leaves needed. The higher the concentration, the more leaves you'll need. Make sure that the leaves are thoroughly cleaned to avoid getting complications from the herbal tea you're going to make.

Step No. 4 -- Strain And Store

After you have boiled the tea, make sure you strain the leaves from the water. If extract is used, then there will be no need to strain. Afterwards, you keep everything in a thermos or in another container where heat will be retained. Make sure to practice cleanliness when you make and store the herbal tea.

After you have made the decoction, you can now drink the tea you prepared. At times, the doctor would recommend how much cups you need for a certain time. It is best to be guided in these herbal remedies to ensure safety and efficacy in the treatment process.

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Herbal Tea Recipes & Tea Remedies

Many people search the web for herbal remedies and there are some interesting recipes to be found. Herbal tea recipes & tea remedies are nothing new, they are the most common and effective way to get the herbs into your system quickly and in the appropriate doseage.

There are herbs to use as remedies for common conditions such as headaches, weight loss, pain reduction, treating insomnia etc. They key is to know what type of herb to use for the desired results.

Here are some of the top herbal remedies that can be made into a nice herbal infusion or tea by a using a simple herbal recipe for tea.

For a weight loss tea, try using senna, or ma huang in a herbal tea recipe (just one or the other, not both). You will get surprising results and each of these herbal teas works in a different way for weight loss. Senna helps improve digestion, and cleans out the digestive tract making it more efficient and helping you to have a better digestive system reducing build up and keeping you regular. Ma huang on the other hand is a chinese herb and is known for speeding up the metabolism and helping you to burn fat. Each of these herbs can be made into an effective and easily absorbed weight loss tea.

Having trouble falling asleep? Looking for a tea to help with insomnia? Chamomile may be the answer for you, and if chamomile herbal tea doesn't work, you can always try some Kava Tea. Kava is a total body relaxant and will help you drift off to a pleasant sleep at the end of a long day.

If you are suffering from mild depression, a herbal tea concocted with St Johns Wort is an age old remedy for a quick pick me up and takes the blues away.

Most of these herbs are made into a simple tea by steeping them in fresh boiled water and consuming them warm. You can always sweeten your tea with a touch of honey, or add some lemon for a little zest.

No matter what the problem, chances are there is a herbal tea to help. So next time you are feeling under the weather, search out a herbal tea remedy instead of an over the counter medication.

You will be surprised how effective these tea recipes can be.

Teya is tea enthusiast and the webmaster at Crazy For Tea. For a complete guide to herbal tea recipes and remedies with tea, visit the Herbal Tea Recipe Book section of her site.

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Is Too Much Herbal Tea Bad for You?

Herbal tea has become sort of a culture in many countries. Compared to coffee, tea can actually be consumed in relatively large amounts without any risk. People who love it can average anywhere from 3 to 8 cups daily. However, there are associated adverse effects that come with tea overdose. You need to watch out for these as well.

Green Tea

Some people show hypersensitivity reactions with green tea. Others develop the condition after long-term use characterized by hives, swelling of ears, lips, tongue and face, difficulty breathing, closing of the throat and skin irritation. Another grave side effect that can be caused by heavy and long-term consumption of green tea is esophageal cancer. There are agents that remain and accumulate in the esophageal area leading to the development of cysts and tumors.

Too much green tea can cause a variety of side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, mood swings, interrupted sleep, cardiac arrhythmia, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea and constipation. It can also interact with other substances thereby causing problems. Do not drink tea if you're taking blood thinners like warfarin or Coumadin or it might cause hemorrhage or internal bleeding.

Black Tea

Black tea contains caffeine and should be taken moderately in order to avoid kidney, blood sugar and gastrointestinal problems. High amounts of it can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, insomnia, interrupted sleep, hypertension, hyponatremia, low potassium levels, urinary incontinence, liver disease, skin rash, internal bleeding or hemorrhage, kidney failure, anxiety, irritability, psychosis, delirium, seizure, muscle and joint spasm and rhabdomyolysis. A cup of black tea on the average contains about 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine. 1000 milligrams of caffeine reportedly can be fatal.

Addiction is also expected among individuals taking it in large doses. Chronic intake can cause substance tolerance and psychological dependence. Upon discontinuation, withdrawals symptoms will also occur characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache, mood swings, tremor, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness and irritability. People suffering from psychological disorders should not take black tea as it can aggravate symptoms of mania, depression and confusion.

Other Herbal Tea Effects

Herbal teas in general have been suggested to be contributory to the development of cancer. There seem to be carcinogenic effects that come with chronic use. Teas high in tannin may lead to iron deficiency and microcytic anemia. Other associated effects are liver and kidney failure and bronchial and respiratory problems.

Individuals with underlying conditions like thyroid problems, pregnancy, cardiovascular and heart conditions and kidney disease and those who are taking medications should consult their doctors first before taking any type of herbal tea. Doctors recommend that individuals limit intake to 2 or 3 cups per day or less.

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What is an Herbal Tea That Will Tantalize Your Senses and Reduce Your Stress? Lemon Balm Tea

A cup of lemon balm tea has a fresh citrusy scent, a fruity fresh taste and the ability to calm your nerves and decrease your anxiety. Long before the Middle Ages, lemon balm was known as one of the popular herbal tea remedies to ensure a healthy long life. It was promoted as an elixir to maintain longevity through the 18th century.

Today drinking lemon balm tea is used to overcome insomnia, anxiety, depression, indigestion and gas. The oils of this wonderful smelling plant contain citral, linalool, eugenol, citronellal, geraniol, tannins, polyphenols and flavanoids. These components of the oils have been found to have a mild sedative effect on the nervous system and digestive tract.

A German research study found that the oils act upon the brains autonomic nervous system and protects the cerebrum from the external stimuli from the outside world. The aromatherapy effect of the tea, along with the benefits of the oil, lifts the spirits and helps one to relax.

A research study showed positive calming results with agitated dementia patients. It is believed that the scent and oils of this herbal tea had a calming effect on these patients. It is also found to have a calming effect in those individuals that suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Some studies have explored that other benefits of lemon balm tea may include improved memory and increase the attention span. This may be of benefit to those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It is suspected that the strong antioxidants may decrease the body's cells from oxidation, thus protecting the cells of the brain and stop the harmful chemical process that occurs in individuals with Alzheimer's.

The sedative effect of the oils also causes your peripheral blood vessels to relax and can lower your blood pressure. Although this is a great benefit, there are other herbal tea remedies that are much more effective for treating high blood pressure.

The rosmarinic acid and polyphenolics components give this tea its antibiotic and anti viral components. However, at the present time, there are no published human studies done that support the belief that it is effective against fighting bacteria or fungal infections. It is important to note that there are laboratory studies that do prove that lemon balm has been effective against both.

This herb is also used to treat hyperthyroidism. Researchers have found that drinking lemon balm tea can actually inhibit the absorption of thyroid medications. Do not consume lemon balm tea if you have a thyroid condition.

The side effects or toxic response to this herb are rare. However, it is recommended that this herb not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

You can make lemon balm tea fresh from your garden (that's another story) or use dried leaves. Pour a cup of hot water over crushed lemon balm leaves. Allow to steep for five to ten minutes, and strain. Drinking this in tea several times a day will help you relax and produce a good night's sleep.

Have lemon balm tea to tantalize your senses, reduce the effects of stress and lift your spirits. Insure a good night's sleep and have a cup before bedtime. Relax and enjoy.

You will also find ways to use lemon balm in cooking. I use it to delicately flavor fish when baking Sea Bass. It can be added to a tea party menu both as a tea drink and as an ingredient in tea cakes.

Connie Bednar has been a tea enthusiast all her life. She enjoys sharing information about loose leaf tea and herbal tea so her web site http://www.your-cup-of-tea.com was born. Learn more about herbal teas here on her web site Take the time to sign up for "Tea Note Speaker" her newsletter while you are there and take advantage of her complimentary tea e-course.

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Drink Green Tea to Stay Healthy

Green tea offers many health benefits. It helps prevent cancer, dementia, and can aid in weight loss. How can this one drink offer so much? The answer lies in its key ingredient which is the antioxidant known as catechins. This powerful antioxidant comes from the herbal flower Camellia Sinensis.

This plant is the source for not only green tea, but for oolong, and black teas as well. Their differences lie in the variations in the processing they go through. Black tea leaves go through a complete fermenting process, which reduces their active ingredients which are the polyphenols. The oolong tea leaves go through a partial fermentation and have moderate levels of polyphenols. Green tea offers the best nutritional and health benefits because its leaves are steamed rather than fermented. As a result, it offers the greatest amount of polyphenols.

Polyphenols are a rich source of the antioxidants which are commonly referred to as catechins. Catechins block free radicals, which damage cells in the body and speed up the aging process. In other words, the key ingredients in this healthy tea can help you look younger longer. These antioxidants also lower cholesterol levels in the body, which means it offers protection from heart disease. Lowering your cholesterol and reducing your risk for a heart attack can also lower your risk for dementia since these conditions have been linked to Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss. This tea may also provide protection against cancer.

Green tea can help you maintain a trim waistline. The reason for this is because the ingredients contained in green tea help prevent the intestines from absorbing excess fat. They also help in the process of weight loss by preventing the absorption of fat from the intestines. This tea may also help arthritis patients too.

Another reason that this tea is so good for you is that it contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is also an extremely beneficial antioxidant. It helps control blood sugar levels. This is why it also helps prevent diabetes.

The antioxidants contained in this tea are extremely powerful and they can keep you healthy in so many ways. In order to maximize the benefits of green tea, make drinking this tea a part of your daily ritual. Drink at least 4 cups of this tea every day. It is also available in the form of a supplement. Consult your physician before taking this or any other supplement as they may interact with certain medications.

Jenna Gray is a writer who does extensive research on health related issues. Learn more about green tea and health and how to get the most from this powerful tea.

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7 Benefits of Herbal Tea

Whether you're losing weight or you simply want to have better health, herbal tea is good. If you find water too plain for drinking, herbal tea is a good substitute. Be sure to drink at least five cups everyday to enjoy all the health benefits. There are many health benefits for drinking herbal tea but here are top seven reasons why you should drink them:

1. To Lose Weight
Losing weight through herbal teas is a very popular topic. The reason why teas can help weight loss is mainly because they can increase your body metabolism and thus improve your cardiovascular system, blood circulation and ultimately lower your cholesterol level. In green tea there is something called antioxidant catechins and studies have shown that they help to burn fat.

2. Prevent Cancer
Did you know that the Japanese people who drink teas are less prone to lung cancer? Believe it or not, herbal tea can cure heart ailments, stroke and even prevent certain cancers!

3. Cure Stomach Disorder
If you're suffering from stomach disorder, try drinking a cup of herbal tea after you finished eating your meal. Herbal tea can help your stomach digest the food easily by reducing the acids.

4. Better Immune System.
Herbal teas can strengthen your body immune system so that you don't catch flu or other lung illnesses. With stronger body cells, your body will be able to regenerate and repair the damage cells faster.

5. To Reduce Stress
If your lifestyle and work is stressful, why not get a cup of herbal tea? It's very relaxing and definitely effective at reducing stress.

6. Better Sleep At Night
Herbal teas can help induce sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping at night, try drinking some herbal teas 30 minutes before you go to bed.

7. Healthier Than Coffee
Herbals teas contain less caffeine and they are definitely a good alternative to those who are health conscious enough to want to prevent tooth decays. Did you know that teas contain some a small amount of fluoride and some certain antibiotic that can help prevent gum diseases and the formation of plaque?

Drinking herbal tea alone won't cause you to lose weight. If you're serious about losing weight, you will have to set aside some time everyday doing some exercises lose weight and include more healthy food in your diet.

Copyright 2008 - Weightloss4Real.com. You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author's name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

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Types of Herbal Detox Teas and Their Health Benefits

An herbal detox tea is meant to help rid the body of toxins that have built up over the years. Even someone who is in good health, eats healthy food, and has normal bowel movements every day on a regular schedule, can have a substance build up in their colon and intestines. Over time, this substance get harder and harder, and eventually becomes nearly impossible to get it out of the body's digestive system. There are different types of detox teas out there and each one differs based on the health benefits of the main ingredient in the tea.

Perhaps the most famous of the many types of herbal detox teas is green tea. Green tea is famous for having many health benefits, more so than any other type of tea. A lot claims have been made of the tea that are merely folk tales about what people believe it can do. However many scientific studies have been conducted and there are a number of health benefit claims of green tea that research and data backing them up. As far as colon cleansing goes, this type of tea is great at removing the substance that builds up in the digestive system.

Another one of the many types of herbal detox teas is called chamomile tea. This kind of tea has a somewhat soothing effect and can help the person who drinks it to be all relaxed and calm. This is especially useful for those people that are under a lot of stress or may be struggling with depression or anxiety. Chamomile tea is also good for relieving bloating, as well as help with indigestion. Ginger tea is another herbal detox tea is good for dealing with an upset stomach, and can help with nausea, digestion, and inflammation. It also helps the body to get rid of pollutants and allergens.

Of all the types of herbal detox teas, peppermint is perhaps the best tasting tea. This kind is known for having menthone in it, a potent ingredient which has many therapeutic properties. There are 40 other ingredients contained within, all of which have some benefit or another. Peppermint tea is useful for helping those with irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, indigestion, nausea, and removing toxins from the body. The final herbal detox tea on this list is called Hawthorn berry tea. This type of tea has a cardiac, sedative, diuretic, and antispasmodic effect. It is also used to help with irritable bowel syndrome as well. No matter what type of detox tea you choose, you will be much healthier.

Many people are not aware there is a healthier Japanese herbal tea than Green teas, called Tenchicha. The tea contains 12 herbs with no caffeine. Mr. Kumagai is the president of Eco Vita, which provides information on health benefits of herbal products including tenchicha. For more detail, please visit Tenchicha.com.

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