HERBAL TEAS:
“Herbal tea” is also called as tisane originated from Greek word, that means it is a herbal infusions made from any other herbal sources apart from tea plant that is having health benefits.
Ayurvedic texts do mentioned about Herbal infusions and are indicated for many ailments.
Another set of Herbal infusions are the preparations where herbal infusions were extracted through distillation processes and named as “Arka.”
“Arka” preparations are highly volatile and having medicinal properties and quick actions.
These herbal teas are made up of fresh flowers, fresh leaves, dried flowers, dried leaves, seeds, roots, etc., and by boiling them with vapours to gain volatile properties and even seeds can be infused well with air tight lids. Some herbal teas do used for flavour purpose, and even for coloration purpose too like green tea, white tea, black tea etc.
BENEFITS OF HERBAL TEAS
As Herbal teas do have medicinal properties and acts as stimulants and relaxants that sooths mind.
Herbal teas have antioxidant properties, and improves immunity power too.
Hence, herbal teas are used for various disorders and in order to maintain healthy lifestyle and helps to cope up obesity, cardiac complaints, etc.
They acts as laxatives also.
Examples for herbal teas:
· Fennel weight loss herbal teas are used for weight loss.
· Rosemary herbal tea is good for memory.
· Boldo herbal tea for digestion. Ginger root tea for digestion.
· Tulsi infusions are used for many health ailments.
· Licorice herbal tea is good for stamina.
HERBAL TEAS AS DETOXIFICATION:
Even in the Indian system of medicines and in ayurveda like sciences, these herbal infusions are prepared for detoxification purpose. In modern world it is also called herbal detox. Herbal teas are used are herbal detox.
These herbal detox do help in cleansing body systems, and internal organs, and clears toxins from organs like liver, spleen, colon etc.
In ancient times it is believed that mere inhalation of these herbal infusions is enough to act on particular system such as for digestive system as laxatives and even cleansing the system also.
There are many herbal teas which acts as herbal detox.
HERBAL TEAS AS LAXATIVES:
Herbal teas are also acts as laxatives which helps to cleanse the system, colon and helps in forming stools.
In ancient times, there are many herbal infusions were used for the purpose of purgation and laxatives.
As these herbal infusions do stimulate some digestive enzymes which help to regularise bowel and bladder function.
Example is Mint herbal tea.
HERBAL TEAS FOR WEIGHT LOSS:
Herbal tea preparations are used for weight losing purpose also.
As they have active ingredients to act on fat metabolism and even these herbal teas are very useful to gain confidence.
The best herbal tea for weigh loss is Green Tea which is very popular now a days .
Overall benefits of herbal teas are many and they depend up on each and every person and indications and even the herbal material used for infusion purpose.
In India these herbal infusions are used in different form in many places and even as traditional practice and even as home remedies.
Thought there is limited standardization of these herbal preparations, due to presence of toxins in few herbal tea preparations. There are few herbal teas which are popular now a days.
One can consume herbal teas noticing the ingredients and authenticity of the preparation.
Dr.Vijay Kumar, Santhigiri Healthcare Centre, Mumbai.
