Monday, October 11, 2010

Therapeutic Teas

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GREEN TEA popular in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, green tea has been shown to have significant medicinal as well as therapeutic properties like the black tea more familiar in Western countries, green tea comes from the Camellia saneness plant. The difference between black and green teas lies in their processing. Black tea is fermented, whereas green tea, which is prepared from steamed, dried leaves, is not allowed to ferment. Also, some types of green tea are lightly roasted. The minimal processing helps retain the tea’s green color, give it a flowery aroma and fresh flavor and also preserve the active ingredients that produce the tea’s health benefits. Green tea may help prevent tooth decay, high blood pressure, heart disease and several forms of cancer. It also invigorates the body and improves concentration.

Therapeutic Effect: All tea leaves contain caffeine, tannins, essential oils, vitamins, minerals and trace elements (such as fluoride). Green tea has many health benefits. It is an anti-inflammatory, lowers blood cholesterol levels, has a beneficial effect on the circulation and liver, protects against tooth decay and detoxifies the blood.

Common Types Of Green Tea

Japan

Sencha: This is the most widely consumed tea in Japan and is also probably the most common Japanese tea available today.

Bancha: A low-caffeine variety, this tea is similar in appearance to Sencha, but has a less bitter flavor.

INDIA

Green Assam: This tea comes from the Assam plateau, the largest tea-growing district in the world. Only a small amount of the tea from this area is used to produce green tea.

Green Darjeeling: Grown on the southern slopes of the Himalaya Mountains, green

Darjeeling tea is especially gentle on the body because of the minimal processing. Too much caffeine can increase your heart rate .