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3 for tea
fighters, enhancers + managers |
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BY BRYCE WYLDE, BSc, RNC, DHMHS
Natural medicine offers many types of remedies – from teas to tinctures – that can help keep you free of colds and flus, increase energy, improve mood, and even stave off cancer. |
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 An herbal tincture can stimulate the body’s immune system to respond more quickly and efficaciously to a virus; impart anti-microbial effects against a bacterial infection;
support the adrenal glands in the face of stress and improve energy; or induce sedative effects for sleeplessness or anxiety. What herbs can do is almost endless,but the key is how they’re used. One effective solution is to use an herbal tincture to treat symptoms of a condition.
Tea study
Scientists have studied the relationship between tea and metabolism, the effects on blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and tea’s ability to impact free radicals and oxidative stress – the very reason we’re told to consume blueberries and drink green tea. In certain diseases, including cancer, the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) becomes excessive. These new vessels provide nourishment to tumours, and serve as portals through which tumour cells can escape into the circulatory system and spread to other organs. Anti-angiogenic compounds may prove therapeutic by ‘starving’ the tumours, and research shows green tea slows the development of abnormal blood vessels in lab mice. So, undoubtedly a cup of tea can benefit health.
Tea-tastic
The age-old Camellia sinensis plant is the source of all non-herbal teas. Manufacturers process C. sinensis leaves three different ways to produce the major classes of teas: green, black and oolong.
Just as coffee beans are green before roasting, tea leaves are green at harvest. To achieve a variety of tastes, manufacturers ferment leaves, carefully controlling whether and how long tea leaves are exposed to air after picking. When fermentation is completely arrested, the tea stays ‘green’ or yellowish brown. Longer fermentation darkens leaves to create ‘black’ tea. Somewhere between these two extremes, ‘oolong’ tea is created. |
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Tea transformation
An herbal tea goes well beyond antioxidants. It is made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled to release medicinal compounds. The end decoction, called a
‘tisane,’ is strained, sweetened if desired, and served as herbal ‘tea.’ Flavoured teas are prepared by adding other plants to black, oolong, green, yellow or white tea. Popular Earl Grey tea is black tea with bergamot; jasmine tea is Chinese green tea with jasmine flowers; and genmaicha is a Japanese green tea with toasted rice.
 Therapeutic tincture
An herbal tincture is considered a very concentrated herbal tea, with the same indications as an herbal tea but much stronger. A tincture’s ‘therapeutic’ action enables it to be used to treat medical complaints, compared to the preventive benefits of an herbal tea. A tincture is a liquid solution of macerated (crushed) dried or fresh herbs, soaked in alcohol (ethanol). The solid matter is removed, leaving only the oils of the herbs mixed with the alcohol. An extract made from peppermint and alcohol is a ‘peppermint tincture.’
Most commercially sold tincture extracts have an herb-to-alcohol ratio printed on the label. When dry herbs are used to make the extract, the ratio is commonly 1:4, 1 part dried plant to 4 parts liquid, (alcohol and water). When fresh herbs are used, the common ratio is 1:1. |
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PREVENTIVE TEAS |
THERAPEUTIC TINCTURES |
COLD CURES +
FLU FIGHTERS |
Astragalus: flavonoids increase immune function.
Ginger: activates macrophages to engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens; stimulates lymphocytes and other immune cells to respond to the pathogen. |
Echinacea angustifolia: upper respiratory tract infections.
Licorice: historically used for its expectorant and anti-tussive effects.
Elderberry: may improve flu symptoms: fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, and aches. |
ENERGY
ENHANCERS |
Green tea: EGCG along with caffeine can raise energy expenditure and fat metabolism. |
Ginseng: helps restore adrenal glands, improves exercise capacity, enhances cognitive performance and well-being. |
MOOD
MANAGERS |
Lemongrass: calms and soothes the nerves; helps with anxiety and sleeplessness. |
St. John’s wort: may be as effective as SSRI drugs with fewer side effects. |
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Excellent nutrition, optimal exercise and lifestyle habits like drinking tea daily are methods of disease prevention. Always consult your health care practitioner before starting any herb, supplement, or lifestyle changes. H&L
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Bryce Wylde is one of Canada’s leading alternative health experts. He is a clinician, television host, educator, author and philanthropist. Wyldeabouthealth.com
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Fields of tea growing as far as the eye can see.
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