What Makes Nettle Tea So Good for You?

By Sarah Birmingham  

For anyone who has ever explored in the forest, you learn immediately to avoid stinging nettles. The heart shaped nettle leaves contain a serious punch by using virtually undetectable hairs that can cause folks who come in contact with them to have painful, red and irritated skin. However Mother Nature did not create these plants just to hurt; remarkably, simply drying out the nettle leaves (use gloves when handling them!) and turning them in to a tea brings wonderful natural health benefits that have been acknowledged for hundreds of years.

Inside, it seems like there isn't any end as to what stinging nettle tea will do for one's body. To start with, nettle tea is loaded with vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, and zinc - who needs everyday supplements after having a hot drink of nettle tea? Also if you do not experience any health problems, having the tea on a regular basis can really help you stay in great shape.

As stinging nettle tea is a diuretic (meaning it flushes out your system), it aids in the relief of bladder infections and kidney stones. It can also ease diarrhea symptoms; but just be careful, as having a large amount also acts as a laxative!

It also contains anti-inflammatory qualities that will help in a respite from joint pain and arthritis (both from drinking the tea or applying it locally to the joints - the tea, definitely not the leaves!). These properties help open sinus cavities, too, allowing an end to hay fever along with other allergies.

If you're ill, drinking the tea can aid your coughing and asthma. A number of people have even replaced their coffee with nettle tea, declaring the energy and stamina they get right after a cup kicks anything they ever got from drinking caffeine.

Woman get additional benefits from consuming it; as I've already explained, nettle tea is known as a natural diuretic, which eliminates water retention and bloating throughout menstruating. Moreover, during menstruation and after giving birth, drinking it can decrease excessive bleeding. Using the tea in the form of a wash for the hair promotes growth helping to strengthen the root; it is important to let that boiling herbal tea cool down before you tip it on your head.

Externally, nettle tea is a really winner, too. The anti-inflammatory qualities that help joint inflammation also combat eczema and zits. Kind of ironic, considering the itchy swelling the leaves cause if they get in direct contact with the skin! Additionally, the diuretic effect of the tea assists in keeping the body flushed out, which always equals healthier, radiant skin.

And fear not - drinking it is not going to cause your insides to flare up in irritation like contact with the skin will. However, as with all natural herbs, make certain you introduce it to your diet gradually to avoid an allergic reaction. If you're too nervous to embark on a nettle retrieving journey by yourself (those stings are painful!), don't worry about missing out; a nearby health food store will surely stock nettle tea in both pill or dried leaf format - after all, they have been aware of the benefits forever!

In addition, you can find easy to use, helpful information about Nettle Tea at http://www.nettleteahq.com

Nettle Tea HQ is a site dedicated to helping everyone benefit from all that nettle tea has to offer. Drop by and say hi!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sarah_Birmingham/1100676

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Mint Tea - Health Benefits

By Alex Zorach 

Mint Tea is a popular herbal tea, frequently used to make iced tea as well as hot tea. Mint tea has a cooling quality and makes a particularly refreshing iced tea, both when used alone or when blended with other herbs or with green or black tea.

Varieties of Mint:

There are many varieties of mint, including both natural species, and hybrids and cultivars. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) are the most common types of mint used in tea. Apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) is also common, and resembles spearmint in flavor although it has fuzzy leaves. Usually when the term "mint tea" is used and no variety of mint is specified, it means spearmint tea. The mint family also contains a number of other species used in tea, including lemon balm, oswego tea, and many culinary herbs. Cultivars such as pineapple mint and orange mint can also be used in tea, although they are less widely available commercially.

Health Benefits of Mint Tea:

Many mints have numerous traditional medicinal uses. The research on the health benefits of mint tea is young and few human studies have been done--it is not fully known the degree to which various benefits shown in lab studies actually transfer to people drinking mint tea. However, there is preliminary evidence suggesting that mint may have a variety of benefits:

·       Caffeine free - Like most herbal teas, all plants in the mint family are 100% caffeine free.

·       Antioxidants - Spearmint, peppermint, and other mints have been found to be rich in antioxidants, a broad class of chemicals thought to promote overall health by preventing damage to the body and protecting against cancer and tumors.

·       Iron absorption - There is evidence that mint tea can improve the body's ability to absorb iron. In middle eastern countries, it is common to brew black tea together with spearmint. Black tea is known to inhibit iron absorption; mixing mint with black tea can mitigate these effects.

·       Antibacterial and antifungal activity - In vitro studies have found spearmint, peppermint, and other mints to inhibit the growth of, and kill, harmful bacteria, including MSRA (a dangerous antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria). Spearmint also has been shown to prevent the growth of a number of types of harmful fungi.

·       Stomach & gastrointestinal benefits - Peppermint has been traditionally used to settle the stomach and treat certain gastrointestinal problems. There is some evidence that it is effective at treating irritable bowel syndrome.

It is not fully clear the degree to which these health benefits are available to those drinking mint tea. Some of the human trials that have been conducted used capsules of concentrated essential oils, which likely lead to greater concentrations than what would typically be found in mint tea.

Safety of Mints and Side Effects:

Most mints (including spearmint and peppermint) are safe for use as a food seasoning or herbal tea, but the mint family is large and diverse and contains some plants which are less safe. A few species, including pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), can be poisonous in large doses.

Buying or Growing Mint for Tea:

Dried spearmint and peppermint for use in tea are widely available from a number of online tea retailers, but the best mint tea is made from fresh leaves. Although fresh mint can be purchased at some supermarkets, it is expensive and it is usually easier to grow the plant yourself. Almost endless varieties of mint plants are available at nurseries. Plants in the mint family also can be grown very easily from cuttings. Mints are very easy to grow (and can easily take over your yard or garden) in moist temperate climates. They are not quite as vigorous in hotter or drier climates, but can be grown outside their preferred range with some extra care.

Alex Zorach has an M.A. in statistics from Yale University, and is an avid tea drinker and the creator and editor-in-chief of RateTea, the first interactive website where anyone can rate and review teas, with a searchable database of thousands of teas classified by brand, style, and region, and a wealth of information on each of these regions, companies, and types of tea. Read more about mint tea, including listings and reviews of different sources of mint tea, detailed references to scientific articles, and more in-depth discussion of the health benefits of mint tea.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alex_Zorach/433569

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Surprising Health Benefits of Basil

By Andy Redding  

Many people are already aware of the culinary uses of basil but you may be surprised to learn of the numerous health benefits of this plant due to its powerful anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. In a medicinal context, basil is often referred to as St. Joseph's Wort. Throughout history, ancient cultures have used herbal remedies to prevent and treat disease and illness. Holy basil, for instance, has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine as a treatment for hepatic, gastric, respiratory and inflammatory disorders as well as a remedy for headache, fever, anxiety, convulsions, nausea and hypertension.

Today, the western world has taken a keen interest in holy basil's medical properties and has found that it can help cure and prevent a large number of ailments. Let's take a closer look at ten of the most popular ways people are using holy basil to increase their health.

Increasing Skin and Hair Health - Due to holy basil's antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, consuming it will purify your blood and remove toxins, which helps prevent the outburst of acne and pimples. In addition, you can combine crushed basil with a little bit of rose water, neem paste, or sandalwood paste and apply that to the face to reduce inflammation. As a hair treatment, you can add a basil paste to your hair oil to help keep your scalp cool, reduce itchiness, and even promote hair growth by improving circulation in your scalp.

Improving Oral Health - Basil is known to help prevent various periodontal diseases, fight off pyorrhea, and eliminate bad breath. To use basil for this purpose, it's recommended to dry basil leaves in the sun for two to three days. Once dried, crush the basil leaves into a powder, which you then use to brush your teeth. In addition, when you massage your gums with the basil powder it will eliminate bad breath.

Quitting Smoking - Some sources claim that chewing basil leaves has been more effective than nicotine patches in reducing nicotine cravings. It's also been said that the antioxidants in basil leaves can help repair damage in the throat caused due to years of smoking.

Helping Cure the Common Cold - Basil leaves are used far and wide as a remedy for fever and the common cold. Most commonly, the juice of basil leaves has been known to bring down high temperatures during fevers. To use basil for this purpose, you can boil the leaves in water to create a type of tea, which you drink.

Reducing Stress - Chewing 10 to 12 holy basil leaves twice a day has been known to reduce stress. This is because holy basil contains compounds such as eugenol and caryophyllene which have long been used in essential oils to elevate both mood and spirit. Scientific studies have shown that eugenol, in particular, helps enhance mental clarity and combat stress.

Treating Ear Infections - Basil can be used to treat minor ear infections and relieve the pain associated with it. To do this, extract the juice from 4-5 basil leaves by crushing them and then applying the paste directly around the infected ear. You can also mix the basil paste with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Once the oil has been mixed, warm it gently and then apply it to a cotton ball that you wipe around the inner infected ear, preferably twice a day.

Eliminating Kidney Stones - Because it is regarded as a tonic for the kidneys, basil is great for the organ's overall health. Basil is also known to help induce stone expulsion from the urinary tract. To use basil for this purpose you should steep five to six basil leaves in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then, serve as tea with one teaspoon of honey.

Relieving Headaches - Tight muscles and tension are the leading cause of headaches. Because of its analgesic properties, basil is a natural muscle relaxant and is most effective when combined with lavender. In addition, basil's antiemetic properties help reduce nausea and vomiting. Chew a few basil leaves the next time you have a headache for a natural relief.

Improving Eyesight - Basil is high in vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for proper eyesight. Additionally, eye sores can be treated with a few drops of basil juice created from crushed basil leaves and water.

Preventing Certain Types of Cancer - Various recent laboratory and animal studies have shown that consuming holy basil can repair cells damaged by oxidation and radiation, demonstrating the potential to destroy pre-cancerous lesions and tumors. Studies into using basil to prevent cancer are still ongoing but have already produced some astonishing results.

Holy basil has been used for medicinal purposes in India and other parts of the eastern world for centuries. However, it has only been in the last decade that the western world has taken a serious look into its healing properties. As studies continue, there may yet be even more health benefits uncovered in this truly nourishing herb.

Growing basil and other herbs at your own home is a great way to introduce gardening and a healthy lifestyle to your every day life. Learn more about growing basil indoors and outdoors, preserving basil through the winter, and recipes for this healthy herb athttp://growingbasilinfo.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andy_Redding/2006945

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