Immune booster - Echinacea tea

Echinacea tea has been proven to boost the immune system by stimulating the white blood cells. The tea is often used to treat individuals suffering from mild viral infections. These include the flu, the common cold and other mild infections. According to Holistic Online, some professional herbalists consider liquid echinacea to be the most effective because of its ability to coat the internal parts of the body most negatively affected by colds and congestion.                        


Echinacea also known as purple coneflower, is one of the top selling herbal supplements in American. Echinacea comes from an herb found in the southern section of the United States.

History of echinacea herb:                       
The echinacea herb has been used as an herbal medicinal treatment for hundreds of years, especially among Native American Indian tribes. Native Americans and Europeans have used Echinacea purpurea (and other species of the plant) to boost the immune system, prevent colds and flu, and fight infections.

Health benefits of achinacea tea:
Echinacea tea is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Echinacea includes iron, maganese, selenium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B, and several other vitamins and minerals.

Echinacea may also help fight off urinary tract infections, herpes, ear infections, strep throat, staph infections and bronchitis. It is recommended for those suffering with chronic respiratory infections and patients with cancer. Drinking the Echinacea can heal joint and muscle issues as well as reduce inflammation. Echinacea tea is the best herbal tea which contains infection-fighting natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Echinacea works to increase activity of our immune system by stimulating white blood cells. White blood cells attack viruses and bacteria that can lead to illness or infection. For this reason, research shows that its medicinal properties are very beneficial to those that suffer from AIDS since the disease attacks the immune system.
You can boost your immune system by adopting a healthy lifestyle and starting your day with a cup of Echinacea Tea.

How to prepare Echinacea Tea?
Ingredients:
2 cups cold water
1 teaspoon dried Echinacea fresh edible flower (or roots)
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Juice of one lemon
1 teaspoon honey
Preparation: Place the Echinacea leaves and ginger in a teapot and pour 2 cups of boiling water over the leaves.
Cover and steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain into tea cups. Add lemon juice and honey and stir to blend.


Remember:
Be advised that people suffering with diseases, such as HIV or AIDS, tuberculosis or multiple sclerosis, using Echinacea can irritate these diseases by making their symptoms worse. Check with your health care practitioner first before using Echinacea in any form.

 Echinacea tea has a number of known benefits to a person's health, though you should never use an herbal supplement, even in the form of tea, without consulting your health care practitioner.

Useful links:

* Echinacea May Boost Immune System More Than Previously Thought

Health benefits of herbal teas

Drinking herbal teas is a perfect way to consume water, vitamins and minerals all at the same time. Herbal tea usually contains one or many herbal ingredients, which have several therapeutic functions. Herbal tea helps in relaxation, improves heart health and the immune system, and cleans the body's toxic matter. It also acts as an antioxidant and energy booster. It is effective for losing weight as well as getting a good night's sleep.
What are herbal teas?                                             
Herbal teas are actually infusions, and are properly called tisanes. Tisanes are made from mixtures of dried leaves, seeds, grasses, nuts, barks, fruits, flowers, or other botanical elements that give them their taste and provide the benefits of herbal teas. Unlike other forms of tea, herbal teas contain no caffeine. They can be a concoction made from fruit, herbs, flowers, spices and other botanicals. Herbal teas are usually blended to bring about a specific purpose or benefit, such as relaxation, rejuvenation, relief from a specific condition, amongst other things.
Benefits of Herbal Teas 
Firstly, it is important to note that there is a huge array of herbal teas available on the market – each one designed to have a specific therapeutic or medicinal benefit. However, there are some general benefits that can be obtained from herbal teas, and these include:

1. Achieving a more calm and relaxed state of mind
2. Supporting heart health
3. Aiding with stomach and digestive problems
4. Providing cleansing properties for the body
5. Promoting energy and wellness
6. Nourishing the nervous system
7. Strengthening the immune system
8. Providing antioxidants to the body
9. Boosting energy levels and
10. Invigorating the body relieving stress helping to avoid colds
11. Stimulating the internal organs promoting a good night’s sleep
12. Herbal teas are caffeine free and taste great

There are numerous herbal tea ingredients or herbs used, each having significance of its own.
Various kind of herbal teas and their benefits:                             

• Cinnamon: It helps in healthy blood circulation and digestion. Cinnamon tea is usually a seasonal drink had in winters to warm the body. It also lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. You can have cinnamon tea as a tisane or pour cinnamon-flavored water on regular teabag and allow it to infuse for a couple of minutes. 
• Ginseng: It maintains the vitality of the body. For several centuries, ginseng was considered some sort of a miracle herb in China. Today, various studies have revealed the rich medicinal properties of this root, making it one of the most preferred herbal teas. 
• Chamomile: It is anti-inflammatory and has antiseptic properties. Chamomile tea is a well known sedative and it helps relieve anxiety. Due to its sleep promoting qualities it is usually preferred by people suffering from insomnia. 
• Parsley: It helps in the proper functioning of the kidney. It also acts as a diuretic.
• Lemon Grass: It has calming and relaxing properties.
• Ginger Root or ginger Tea: For those who suffer from car sickness, ginger tea can help. It also aids digestion, eases flatulence, and relieves nausea. It provides relief to people suffering from lung congestion and arthritis.
• Pepper Mint: It acts as a stress buster. Peppermint is more than a popular flavor for mouth fresheners. It relaxes your muscles, aids digestion, and relieves flatulence and stomach cramps. Of course, it tastes great too
• Hawthorne: It improves heart health and blood circulation.
• Rose Hips: It is rich in Vitamin C and acts as a tonic for the kidney, liver and blood.
• Slippery Elm: It relieves stomach cramps and various gastrointestinal problems.
• Allspice: It relieves common cold as well as stomach problems

Related: teainfocentre.yolasite.com and other sites

Although there are herbal teabags available quite easily in supermarkets, it is more fun to make your own infusion at home with leaves, berries, herbs or flowers of your choice.

Useful links:

* 'History of the herbal tea'

Natural stress remedy -herbal teas

We usually start our day with a warm relaxing tea and at the end of the day again a warm cup of tea helps relieve tension and tiredness. A cup of tea (with some herbs) can help you get relief from stress and calm you down.

Herbal teas are healthy drinks you can get from plants and flowers. They are commonly easy to serve and also taste good. Herbal teas help to support our body system by natural healing for some diseases, providing relaxation, soothing nerves, improving circulatory system, cleansing toxins, and so on.

L-theanine in tea helps regains your tranquility. It has the ability to calm you. Studies show that  L-theanine (known as a amino acid) has the ability to cross through the barrier of the blood-brain and is also a remedy for stress and anxiety.                                                                  

There are many types of herbal teas, among the most popular are Chamomile, Ginger, Ginseng, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Lemon, Orange, Rosella and Green tea. These teas can serve as relaxing as well as healthy drink. For health purpose, they are usually taken from the stems, barks, and roots part of plants. You can also mix some variants of teas as to get the combined benefits and taste.

Green Tea:  Green tea is often used to give us the boost we need to get going in the morning. While green tea is often caffeinated, it also possesses several stress reducing properties. The biggest benefits of drinking green tea are that it clears the mind while calming the nerves so you may continue your day with clarity and energy.

Mint Tea: Mint tea is a great way to unwind at the end of a hard day because of its relaxation properties. Not only do the minty leaves have a wonderful aromatic flavor but they also relax and quiet the mind – great for after those long days staring at a computer screen – and also soothe an upset stomach.

Passionflower: Shown in studies, the passionflower extract has the ability to calm you down because it increases the number of the chemical in your brain known as gamma-amino butyric acid or also known as GABA


Chamomile: If you are having trouble falling asleep, consider drinking some chamomile tea just before bed. In addition to settling feelings of nausea, chamomile tea also calms your nerves, thereby allowing you to enter a calm and relaxed state – just what you need when your mind refuses to slow down on its own.

Lavender: Similar to chamomile, lavender is a wonderful natural stress reliever, well known for its soothing abilities. However, lavender packs a bit more of a punch and can reduce everything from tension headaches to anxiety. It is also a great soothing tea for nervous exhaustion which can often be brought about from our busy and often stress ridden lives.

Lemon Verbana: An herbal tea with Lemon Verbena is just the dose you need to an upset stomach and nausea. If you have insomnia problem, you will find it to be just right for your curing this problem. Catnip - This herbal ingredient is well-known for its properties to reduce excitement and palpitations. When stomach is unable to digest properly, it results in digestion-related headaches. At such times, a cup of catnip tea is just the thing you need for relief. It’s very good for quieting the mind.

Linden: This ingredient relaxes muscles and nerves. It’s very good for making the mind calm and reliving headcheese caused by stress. If you are suffering from frequent nervous tensions, include Linden in your daily tea can bring down such problems and keep you calm.

Passiflora incarnate: Drop this ingredient into your herbal teas and see problems like tensions and irritation, vanish just as they came. Passiflora incarnate is well-know for its ability to reduce headaches caused by anxiety and stress. It’s also useful for women with PMS & a menstrual problem as it brings down the irritation and pain experienced during such times.

Skullcap: This ingredient is known for its abilities to relax tense muscles, reduce muscle spasms, calm nerves and reduce headaches. Women will find skullcap tea to be very relieving because it’s also know to bring down irritability associated with Premenstrual Syndrome.


Ginseng: When most people think of ginseng, they think of the miracle supplement that may help your mind stay sharp. While the jury may still be out on whether or not ginseng actually increases brain function, it may help you function better. Ginseng tea is quick to clear up mental exhaustion as well as stress so you are more productive and energetic – or completely relaxed if you so choose.

Tips to get more benefits form your herbal teas:

• Make sure that the water you boil for tea isn’t from a traditional water softener. These types of softeners balance the minerals in your water by using salt which winds up in your tea. There’s already too much sodium in the typical diet so it’s best to avoid it through your drinking water. Using regular tap water or that from an alternative water softener is a much better way to brew your tea. Not only will your tea taste great, but it will have better nutritional value over all.
• Teas are always better to drink while fresh.
• Herbal teas are better to serve wholly, chopping the part of leave or flower will cause the oils and components inside to release
• For long-term health, you can have one before every bedtime, it will promote your body system to relax and so you can sleep well. You may also drink herbal tea after meal or in the morning.
• Tea will not interact with any anxiety medications and is safe to take with any conventional medications. Tea bag may also be added to bath water for an overall relaxing moment.

Related: naturalstressremedies.com and www.ahealthy.us

* Stress relieving foods

* News at 'BBC' Black tea 'soothes away stress'