Herbal teas are in vogue and are relatively a new fad in North America. For centuries, herbal teas have been in the daily diet of those who live healthy and long lives. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, globally, there were over 93 million people over the age of 80. Many of them reside in countries that have been consuming herbs, weeds and flowers for centuries.
In North America there has been an industry-based doctrine that says the vitamins and minerals people need to stay healthy come from bottles, processed and manufactured foods. Of course there are vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables, but not nearly in the concentrated levels in which they are found in herbs. Simply by increasing the use of fresh herbs in foods and consuming fresh herbal tea can provide most of the recommended essential vitamins and minerals needed.
Before embarking on drinking liters of home brewed herbal teas, it's important to research not only what vitamins and minerals each herb has, but how much. Some vitamins can be consumed in endless quantities with no side effects, others, if too much is consumed, will produce negative effects on the body.
Benefits of Home Brewed Tea
Most commercially-produced herbal teas are in a tea bag. Tea bags are made with wood and vegetable pulp that is usually chlorine-bleached. This means that a small amount of toxic chlorine compounds can be found in tea bags. There are some tea sellers that use only bags from non-chlorine (oxygen) bleached tea bag paper.
Herbal teas are simple to make and much cheaper than purchasing. It does take some experimenting to get the flavor just right but well worth the effort! Cut up fresh mint leaves, chamomile, rosemary or another herb, place into a mug and add boiling water. Let steep as long as needed. The leaves can stay in the mug, or remove them and if required, sweeten with honey. Ginger root is another healthy tea that's made by cutting up pieces of ginger, put in the mug and pour in boiling water.
Herbal Tea Goodness
Rosemary tea is used to fight rheumatism, can improve memory, improves circulation and helps in fighting headaches. This herb has stimulant and analgesic properties. Fresh rosemary is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, B6 and has iron, folate, potassium, copper, magnesium and manganese.
Chamomile tea offers many benefits. These dried flowers are powerful in strengthening the stomach. Chamomile boosts the immune system and helps to fight illness. This tea is a perfect way to end the day as it is very calming to the nervous system. It contains vitamins B1, B2, niacin, and calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and selenium.
Mint has a phenomenal amount of goodness. It's a powerful antioxidant that is now shown to drastically reduce the infectivity of HIV-1 virions. Mint unblocks respiratory passages and airways, relieves symptoms of colds, flu, headaches, congestion and is a mild sedative that has calming properties. This herb has vitamins A, C, B2 and has many minerals including manganese, copper, iron calcium and potassium.
Having a comprehensive listing of what herbs are found in vitamins and minerals is beneficial in helping to determine what is feasible to grow this spring and what can be purchase in the produce section of the grocery store.
Brewing natural tea using fresh herbs whether at home or at the office makes sense.
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