Green Tea, Black Tea, Herbal Tea: Healthful Beverage Choices

Even though the claims may be exaggerated, if you're going to drink much of any beverage other than water, tea is probably your best choice. The health benefits of green tea have been trumpeted in the media recently.
Tea is water plus phytochemicals including caffeine, and very little else unless you add a lot of sugar. Both green and black tea come from the same plant, camellia sinensis. To make green tea, the leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. For black tea, the leaves are dried, then fermented and fired.
Both green and black tea contain phytochemicals that have been linked to reduced rates of certain types of cancers. When brewed at normal strength, both contain about half of the caffeine found in a cup of coffee. If caffeine is a concern, de-caffeinated teas are available.
Herbal teas are dried leaves of a wide variety of plants, which you steep in hot water as you would regular tea. They are generally caffeine free. Many claims are made for the phytochemicals found in herbal teas, but all we can safely say is: yes, they do contain phytochemicals, which may be beneficial or harmful, depending on the plant used and the amount you drink. If you have hay fever or other allergies, be aware that herbal teas made from plants in the family you are sensitive to can trigger the same reactions.
If you need to drink more than a few cups of a beverage, make it water. That's true for all foods, not just tea. So enjoy your tea, but remember, what is beneficial in moderation may be harmful in large amounts.

Tea appears to be healthful and may contribute phytochemicals to your diet that you would not otherwise get.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at
http://www.DrMirkin.com
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Toenail Fungus Tea Tree Oil Remedy

For many people with toenail fungus tea tree oil is like a magic potion. Anecdotal stories abound of people who have used this essential oil to treat fungal nail infections. It is one of the popular natural healing alternatives to expensive oral prescription drugs feared for their possible side effects, and it is readily available because it is also used as a natural healing treatment for other conditions.
Bottled tea tree oil for fungus comes from an Australian tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly called the Tea Tree. It is being investigated for its abilities to kill bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses, and there is some evidence that it may indeed be an appropriate weapon against toenail fungus; tea tree oil may soon take its place beside the currently accepted prescription medications for this condition.
These treatments all come under the heading of home remedies: no scientific studies validate their effectiveness. In preparations specifically for toenail fungus, tea tree oil orally!). Tea tree oil for fungus infections can be purchased from homeopathic and alternative medicine suppliers.
Before using toenail fungus tea tree oil toenail fungus remedy.
Learn about the options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to use toenail fungus tea tree oil remedy. He or she may also be able to discuss the treatment successes and failures of other patients. A doctor can provide current information on the prescription drug choices for toenail fungus, and advise you about the cost of treatment and risk of side effects.

Talk to your doctor about your options.

How Green Tea Can Help You To Lose Weight

In the recent years green tea benefits scientists indicated that green tea can also help you lose weight. Green tea has been highly valued in Asia for centuries for it's medical properties.
Even though green tea did contain caffeine it have not change the energy expenditure nor it have significantly change a heart rate. During their research they've made an amazing discovery.
In this respect, green tea or green tea extract is different from most of the prescription drugs for obesity or herbal products like ephedra, which can raise heart rates and blood pressure, and are not recommended for many individuals sensitive to stimulants. That led to a conclusion that green tea helps to lose weight naturally and safely.
Green tea causes carbohydrates to be released slowly. These compounds work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis, where heat is created in the body by burning fuels such as fat. The secret of such influence on the body lays in high concentrations of catechin polyphenols.
Which is about 8 extra pounds of weight. This adds up to over 28,000 calories in a year. For example, just by drinking one cup of tea a day or by taking green tea extract in the form of supplement you will burn about an extra 78 calories.

I want you to remember that even a small effect can go a long way when you are dealing with your metabolism. As the result fat is burned faster without being "locked" in the fat sells. This prevents sharp increases of insulin in your blood (insulin stimulates the transformation of fatty acids into fat molecules which are stored as fat droplets).
It means that you will get that "I'm full!" felling faster and as a result consume less food. Lower leptin levels decrease the appetite. There is also clear evidence that green tea's polyphenols (EGCG) helps depressing leptin (a protein produced by fats that plays an important role in how the body manages fat storage through brain signals).
Good luck! Drink a cup of your favorite green tea every day and lose those extra pounds easier and faster. It is quite certain that green tea is now holding promise in various areas of weight loss.
Copyright 2005 Arina Nikitina

The Distinctive Flavor of Earl Grey Tea

Many people find the unique flavor of Earl Grey to be their favorite; smoky and fragrant with hints of citrus, it is reputed to be the tea of choice for Captain Picard from Star Trek.
Although many people consider Earl Grey as a type of tea, any black tea with bergamot flavor added is in fact Earl Grey. Some manufacturers will even use their lower quality black tea to make Early Grey in the belief that the strong flavor of bergamot will mask the poor taste of the tea. Mostly taken black with maybe a slice of lemon added, Earl Grey is nevertheless one of the most popular of all the flavored teas in the world.
Origin of Earl Grey
The story of how Earl Grey began is shrouded in mystery and contradiction. The popular myth is that Earl Charles Grey, the prime minister of Britain in 1830, was given the recipe from a mandarin he met while touring China. Versions of the story claim that he had saved the life of the mandarin, and the tea was a special gift of gratitude. Earl Grey was then reputed to have demanded his tea supplier in London recreate the tea for him, and the taste became fashionable, eventually spreading worldwide.
It is a good story, but unlikely to contain much truth. Charles Grey never visited China and the Chinese drink very little black tea in any case, which means the true origin of Earl Grey tea is still a mystery.
What is Bergamot
The bergamot used to flavor Earl Grey comes from a tree that is grown in the south of Italy. A citrus fruit, somewhat like lemon, orange and grapefruit mixed together, the scent is often likened to orange blossom. The oil of the fruit is added to perfume including one of the original Eau de Colognes from Germany. It is sometimes called The Prince's Pear although it is inedible. There is also an herb called bergamot with completely different properties.
Perhaps Earl Grey tea is a good remedy for winter sniffles. Bergamot is used in aromatherapy to treat depression, and also has anti-microbial effects that can strengthen the resistance of the body to colds and illnesses. Specially made cold presses are used to extract the bergamot essence, which is then stored for at least a year. In the winter months, before it ripens, the fruit harvest is picked by hand.
Lady Grey
Lady Grey is still a popular blend today, although it is no longer believed to cause any particular impulses among female drinkers! It was believed that the addition of fruit would calm the effects of tea, so Seville orange, lemon and bergamot extracts were added. When Earl Grey tea was invented, it was considered that tea produced "improper impulses" in women, and thus Lady Grey was invented.
Corinne Waldon enjoys writing many
articles about tea
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The Tea Spot
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Tea and Decaffeination Processing

I was taken by surprise when I recently read an excerpt from a newly released book, written by highly recognized tea industry professionals, that was clearly inaccurate when it came to the topic of decaffeination processing and tea. Decaffeination and tea is a subject that has long been misunderstood not only by consumers but also by industry professionals.
I began questioning my own information on decaf processing and decided the best thing to do was to verify what I believed to be true. I decided to talk with the definitive authority on the subject, Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Association of the USA, Inc (TAUS).
So what do those guidelines consist of? If that was unsuccessful the FDA would be notified and would follow up to see that the necessary changes to processing were made. The first line of defense is the TAUS, who would attempt to correct the issue diplomatically.

So what happens if a group is distributing "decaffeinated tea" that does not meet the standard? There is no sanction, legal or otherwise, for non-compliance. The FDA does not have its own set of guidelines but relies on the expertise of the Tea Association Technical Committee (TATC) for the best practices. Unlike what I thought, decaffeination processing is not regulated by the FDA and adhering to industry standards is completely voluntary. So here is what I learned.

I soon was relieved to learn that my critical information was indeed correct although some of the details need fixing.
The Guidelines
Teas labeled Decaffeinated will contain no more than 0.4% caffeine on a dry weight basis.
Caffeine Free Tea is an inappropriate labeling term for any tea regardless of the degree of decaffeination processing.
There are currently only 2 methods approved for decaffeinating tea leaves, solvent extraction using ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide in the supercritical state. Both are selective for extraction and create no toxicity hazard.
Carbon dioxide is considered the better of the two, keeping more of the benefits and flavor intact.
The Facts
Decaffeinated teas have between 1/3 and 2/3 fewer beneficial components than regular, non-decaffeinated teas.
Both ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide are considered, and subsequently labeled, "natural", because trace amounts of both components exist in the tea leaf, a fine line for many of us who rely on natural to mean exactly that.
"Water process" , aka Swiss Water Process, Natural Water Process etc, sometimes used on packaging, is not recognized by the industry as being anymore effective than pouring off the first brew at home.
While this does eliminate caffeine it is difficult to be sure just how much caffeine is still present and likewise how much health benefits. Then steep as you normally would. Decaffeinating at home by the "water process" would be done by infusing the tea leaves for 30 seconds and pouring off that infusion.
Tea bags will deliver more caffeine in your cup than loose teas because they infuse more quickly.
The amount of tea leaves used, brewing time and water temperature help determine the caffeine content in your cup.
Cultivation, environmental factors, region and growing conditions, while out of your control, do affect the caffeine content in your cup.
1 pound of coffee which yields 40-50 cups. The only time coffee has less caffeine then tea is prior to brewing, 1 pound of tea yields 200 cups vs.
The ONLY government approved decaffeination processing is ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide. Methylene chloride is NOT a guideline or government approved processing method in the United States.
While we have a limited selection of decaffeinated teas, we guarantee all of the decaffeinated teas sold by Teas Etc. Inc. are processed using carbon dioxide
In summation, with the growing public interest in issues surrounding health and food, accurate labeling is likely to become a major issue in the future. Be a wise consumer. Beware of slick marketing and misleading information. Most importantly drink good, quality tea everyday.
© 2006 Teas Etc., Inc
This article may be freely reprinted only in it's enterity and must include the resource box and copyright information.
Beth Johnston, owner of Teas Etc., is a noted tea expert, importer and tea enthusiast. To learn more about life style enhancement, health benefits and the ease of brewing loose leaf teas, sign up for our monthly newsletter at
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Benefits of Tea- More Than A Drink

Tea can do a lot more than taste good. Green, black, and oolong teas contain antioxidants called polyphenols which research has shown to help in preventing several forms of cancer, possible reduction in heart attack and stroke, and aides in overall health and well-being. Herbal teas do not usually carry the same polyphenols, but do contain other beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that can help in a variety of ways. Seems for every ailment there's an herb, and it all boils down to a good cup of tea.
Here is a few other ways to use specific herbal teas to our benefit. Enjoy!
Ginger tea
- promotes enzymes that promotes digestion and helps with nausea and upset stomachs
Thyme
Breathe over a warm cup to help clear your sinuses or use in hot bath. - is a natural antihistamine and helps fight infections.
Rosehips
- is rich in vitamin K, bioflavanoids, and citrics. Age defiance at it's best!
Shiny horsetail grass
Sipping on this tea is great for your hair, nails, and skin. - richest in silica, an element in tissue repair.
Rosemary tea
- a great hair rinse that promotes hair growth a gentle removing of hair build up
Oatstraw tea
- great for weight loss due to it's high fiber content and richness in vitamins A,D, B1, and B2
Chicory and dandelion tea
- natural appetite suppressants
Chamomile
- helps you sleep and relax
Apple peels
much of the apples nutrition value lies in the peel - brew some in with your regular tea.
Red clover
- in large amounts emulates female hormone which may help ease menopause symptoms
Lemongrass
- mild diuretic
Sassafras
- helps prevent bronchitis
Birch tea
- helps with rheumatism and headaches

Will Drinking Tea Lower Your Cholesterol?

It not only provides the protective coating to the arteries but also produces sex hormones and many fatty acids required by the body. Firstly if we talk about cholesterol, it is a fatty, lipid and waxy substance circulating in the bloodstream. And some how they are successful too but what they never highlight is the side effects attached to it. By seeing this sudden increase many companies are now in a hurry to produce the drug that can reduce the cholesterol level significantly.

Majority of the American population is said to have high level cholesterol and this makes them to suffer from its related diseases. These days cholesterol is creating havoc, as death toll due to this disease is ever rising.
However this theory too is not supported by any evidences. They feel that tea cannot reduce cholesterol but yes can curb the raising the cholesterol. Many experts feel it do but many discard this theory by calling it as a fluke.

But concrete conclusion is still not out. According to the experts tea can also help in reducing the cholesterol level in the body. Among this whole list of medications the new way which has grown immensely is the tea. Nowadays cholesterol reductions medications are selling are like hot cakes in the American market but still many people are unaware of its side effects. But once this fat exceeds its limit it becomes the real threat.
They tend to have some special herbs and shrubs which not only break down the cholesterol. But not an ordinary tea, only green and herbal tea has this feature. According to the myth, tea can reduce cholesterol level in the body as it breaks down the complex and concentrated plaque on the arteries.
So your health is in your hands and takes a wise step in order to have happy and healthy living. That's why despite being so beneficial people still avoid and go in for pills and drugs which are accompanied with array of side effects. But what make people reluctant in drinking it, is the bitter taste of it.

Being in natural state it has many benefits attached to it. Black tea too is of very good use in terms of reducing high cholesterol as it burn the concentrated fat.