Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Health Benefits Of All Natural Tea

By Freida McCall


Like many other foods, all natural tea has health benefits and entertainment value. Teas made from various plants are popular all over the world. People drink the water-based infusions for refreshment, for stimulation, for relaxation, and for social reasons. The medicinal value of tea has been the subject of folk and scientific lore for centuries. Today the cultivation and retailing of many types of teas is a billion dollar, world-wide industry.

'All-natural' is used to designate foods that do not contain any 'artificial' ingredients. Many teas are made from one kind of leaf (or root, in the case of herbs) and contain nothing else anyway. Others, such as bottled cold teas, may contain artificial sweeteners, additional flavors such as lemon, or even colorings and preserving agents.

This label does not mean that the plant from which the leaves were harvested was grown naturally. The grower could have used chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as is the custom in many areas. An 'organic' certification means that only non-synthetic fertilizers and methods of pest control were used. It is still important to trust the brand name of the product, as not all companies who claim to operate organically are reputable.

A particular species of plant produces leaves used in green and black teas. Black is simple a designation for the leaves after fermentation, which deepens the color and flavor of the brew and increases the amount of caffeine. All plants can be steeped in hot water to yield a liquid that can be used as a drink, a medicine, a soak, or a poultice. For instance, parsley leaves make a diuretic drink, while mint leaves have been traditionally used for refreshment and a digestive aid. Tansy tea should not be drunk but can be used as a spray to deter ants.

People drink tea as an alternative stimulant to coffee; both beverages contain caffeine and can be drunk plain or with milk and/or sugar. Green and white tea have been shown to be richer in antioxidants than the fermented variety. Antioxidants are believed to fight free radicals, which are harmful by-products of metabolism.

Other health benefits include increased fluid intake - dehydration is a major problem. People have traditionally given cups of this beverage to those suffering from shock, exposure, and exhaustion. Herbal teas offer other therapeutic effects: chamomile for relaxation and deeper sleep, peppermint for enhanced digestion, eucalyptus for soothing coughs and colds, fenugreek for increased milk production for nursing mothers, and sage to ward off infections of all sorts.

Teas that are grown commercially have political significance as well. Many people today like to buy 'fair trade' products, that encourage local small farmers, reduce child labor and other social problems, and enforce good agricultural and business practices. There are some brand names that have come to be associated with careful cultivation and production processes that protect the environment and the health of the consumer.

It is a good idea to know the source of even all natural tea. Many companies are proud of their methods of cultivation and production, and stand by the quality of their products. Ask questions to be sure of getting high quality traditional or herbal teas.




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