Black, Green and Herbal Teas

Benefits and Recipes for Antioxidant-rich Tea

There's nothing more relaxing as a nice big cup of hot tea on a cold day or evening.

But tea, particularly the black, green and herbal varieties, can do more than just help you unwind. They have an abundance of health-saving chemicals. Black and green teas contain powerful chemical compounds that can relieve common ailments like menstrual cramps and nausea. This mighty duo can boost your metabolism and contain cancer and disease fighting antioxidants that keep you healthy and active. This factor alone makes them an ideal beverage for weight-watchers.

Did you know that both teas contain fluoride and may protect against tooth decay? Green tea in particular may also reduce the risk of heart disease by keeping LDL cholesterol from clogging the arteries. The two also contain flavonoids; these are substances that make blood platelets less likely to clump and form stroke-causing clots.

But herbal tea's no slouch, either. Chamomile tea is known to ease upset stomachs, heartburn and indigestion. Chamomile also acts as a mild relaxant, cramp reliever and sedative. Both peppermint and ginger teas help speed digestion and get rid of feeling bloated after a big meal. Ginger tea also relieves nausea caused by chemotherapy, morning sickness and motion sickness as well as (if not better) any prescription drug.

Simple Tea Recipes

You should be able to find these teas and other ingredients in health food stores and specialty shops, if they're not available at your regular supermarket. For each of the following two recipes, mix the dry ingredients together, then place one teaspoon in a piece of muslin and tie. Use one bag per cup of water.

Green-Rose Hips Tea

• One-half cup loose green tea
• 1 tsp. rose hips
• 1 tsp. dried peppermint

Boil water. Remove from heat; add spice bag. Steep tea for 5 minutes before chilling.

The green tea gives you cancer-fighting antioxidants; rose hips gives you a shot of vitamin C and the peppermint is a natural digestive aid.

Ginger-Chamomile Tea

• One-fourth cup powdered ginger
• Three-fourths cup dried chamomile flowers
• One-fourth cup fennel seed

Boil water. Remove from heat, add spice bag. Steep 10 minutes before chilling.

The following two tea recipes will help you to lose weight.

Lemongrass-Jasmine Tea

Bring 8 oz. water to a boil with 1 tsp. chopped lemongrass. Pour lemongrass water over 1 jasmine tea bag. Steep 3 minutes. Strain and sweeten with one half tsp. honey.

The citral found in lemongrass is the same compound in citrus fruits that helps cleanse the digestive system; it also acts as a diuretic. Green tea's benefits are enhanced by adding the jasmine, which also gives the tea a sweetness. Honey soothes the throat and digestive system to curb hunger.

Orange-Bergamot Tea

Squeeze one-eighth orange into a mug or large cup, and drop the rind in. Add 1 Earl Grey tea bag. Next, pour in 7 oz. boiling water and steep 3 minutes. Stir in 2 drops vanilla extract.

The bergamot which gives Earl Grey tea its particular flavor acts as an appetite suppressant. The orange cleanses your system and provides vitamin C. The vanilla scent relaxes you and reduces anxiety. It's also a natural sweetener!

Optimal Tea Temperature

Did you know that drinking scalding hot tea reduces its health benefits? For the biggest health boost, pour just-boiling water over tea. Steep it for three to five minutes and then let the tea cool for a few minutes. And the "sun tea" method (placing tea bags in room-temperature water in a sunny spot) will not heat the water enough to provide any health benefits at all.

For iced tea, pour the boiling water over tea bags, steep for five minutes and then add ice.