Rooibos

Red Tea

Rooibos, also known as red tea, comes from South Africa. It comes from a completely different plant than our familiar green and black teas. Because of this it is not considered a true tea, but a tisane or herbal beverage. It is made from the branches and twigs of the  bush Aspalethus lineans; it has a red color and it has a pleasant taste. It is also the national drink of South Africa.

This tea has some good things going for it. It is caffeine free and contains no oxalic acid, so folks with kidney stones can drink it. It is also low in tannins so it is not as likely to upset one's stomach. It has a pleasant taste and is rich in nutrients. It also acts as a preventive for hypertension and heart problems. Some of the minerals in rooibos include copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron. It also contains vitamin C. Red tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols which help prevent cell damage and slow down aging.

Rooibos tea has many health benefits for such problems as asthma, eczema, bone problems, allergies, hypertension and premature aging. It also boosts the immune system. It is recommended for insomniacs because it contains no caffeine and can be taken before going to bed. It is good for infants, relieving colic. Rooibos relieves stress and tension. Roobios is anti-inflammatory and helps blood pressure problems. Rooibos also has preventative properties like helping to prevent heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Rooibos contains alpha hydroxy and zinc, which are good for your skin.

There are some side effects one needs to be aware of. Rooibos tea can interfere with chemotherapy for cancer patients and it has estrogenic qualities so is not to be used if you have a hormone sensitive cancer. Be sure to ask your health care provider about using red tea.

January is National Hot Tea Month so throughout all of January I will be devoting my blog to teas. To learn more about healthy teas check out my website at www.valerielull.com.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net

Jasmine Tea

Since January is National Hot Tea Month I will be devoting my next few blogs to the subject of tea. Tea is a popular beverage, second only to water and has many medicinal  advantages as well as being a tasty beverage to drink. There are endless combinations of tea and various flavorings and herbs and there are hundreds of variations on  herbal teas (also called tesanes). People have been fascinated with tea for thousands of years and it appears that they still are. Tea and Tesanes have become quite popular in the United States in recent years and the wave of popularity does not seem to be letting up anytime soon.

This week I thought I would talk about Jasmine Tea.The use of jasmine with tea in China and is mentioned in the official records of the Song Dynasty of the 13th century. It was mainly used by the royalty. Jasmine tea may have originated in Persia or India and came to China when the Buddhist religion was brought there.

 Jasmine tea is not considered an herbal tea because it is made with a base of green or black tea along with the jasmine leaves. The jasmine lends a touch of the exotic to the tea which scents the tea leaves and makes the drink highly enjoyable for some while others find the scent jasmine to be an acquired taste.

 Health benefits derived from the jasmine content of the tea include strengthening the immune system, preventing diabetes and reducing the risk of having a heart attack. Jasmine tea also helps to prevent cancer, reduce stress, help with digestion and lower cholesterol. It appears to destroy harmful bacteria and relieve inflammation. Jasmine promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress and anxiety and depression.

Jasmine tea has a high level of antioxidants. It is said to prevent cancer, heart disease, and useful for those with diabetes and is considered a use preventive for those who are pre-diabetic. Jasmine tea is good for gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, and weight loss

There are some things to keep in mind. Jasmine is not recommended for those that are pregnant, and in some people consuming it on an empty stomach may cause discomfort. Jasmine tea is a source of caffeine but there are many caffeine free versions available. While Jasmine tea is considered generally safe for culinary uses, you might want to consult your health professional before using it.

To learn more about teas and their health properties, check out my blog at www.valerielull.com. I wish everyone the best in this new year and hope you  have many pleasant tea drinking experiences.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
www.lullval@clearwire.net