Monday, October 13, 2008

Chinese Herbal Teas

Chinese herbal teas are famous for their several health profit, which comprise improved digestion, stress relief, weight loss and maintenance, and even memory improvement. They are made from various parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark, and stems. The best Chinese herbal teas, based on Ayurvedan herbal medicine, use diverse herb combinations to achieve specific health benefits.

Modern Chinese herbal teas use three types of herbs – an essential healing herb, an herb to addition the remedial, and a flavoring herb to make it drinkable. They may be taken as dietary supplements or used in cooking. Here are some popular Chinese herbal teas and their benefits.

1. Ginkgo biloba tea
Ginkgo biloba is identified to reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in the body, preventing heart disease. It is also touted as a memory herb – several studies show that it improves blood circulation to the brain and slows down the degeneration of brain cells. Fresh ginkgo leaves work better than dried, but they are harder to find and frequently more expensive.

2. Green tea
Green tea is made from vegetation that have undergone very little oxidation through processing (black tea uses fully oxidized leaves). It is usually used for weight loss and digestion, and may be consumed fresh or used in cooking. It is also said to help avoid cancer, but there are no studies backing this claim.

3. Oolong tea
Oolong tea is processed with 10% to 70% oxidation, darker than green tea but lighter than black tea. There are different types of Chinese Oolong tea, but the most famous are those grown in the Wu Yi mountain province. Oolong tea is high in antioxidants, which help fight free radicals – substances that injure the cells and make the body prone to illness.

4. Jiaogulan tea
Known as China’s “immortality herb” Jiaogulan is one of the most famous Chinese herbal teas. As well antioxidants, it also contains adaptogens and saponins – a group of chemicals that promotes self-regulation, a key factor in treating diabetes. It also lowers blood cholesterol and blood sugar and reduces the danger of heart disease.

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