Saturday, September 4, 2010

WILDWOOD FLOWERS EIGHT HERB TEA



Zahara's Gypsy Tea uses Gypsy Magic to mix together the knowledge of nature in unique relationships and creates amazing new combination. This tea is a general health tonic. Wildwood Flowers Eight Herb Tea, the blend is comprised of spearmint, rosemary, lemon balm, linden, eucalyptus, wood betony, blackberry leaf, and eleuthero root; the result is a mild green bath infusion that explodes with health benefits.  A full body tonic, Wildwood Flowers Eight Herb Tea is also quite enjoyable, with its fresh clean aroma. For bath infusion, just place in muslin bags for a healing bath infusion.  Ingredients: Spearmint, rosemary, lemon balm, linden, eucalyptus, wood betony, blackberry leaf, and eleuthero root. .

 Below is the research I have gathered on these very powerful eight herbs:

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented herein by ZAHARA'S GYPSY TEA  is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

MINT:
Mint is known to have originated in Asia and the Mediterranean region. In many cultures, mint symbolised hospitality and was offered as a sign of welcome and friendship to guests as they arrived. In the Middle East mint tea is still served to guests on their arrival, whilst in ancient Greece, the leaves of mint were rubbed onto the dining table, which was a sign of their warm greeting.

Mint was also often used as an air freshener and was placed in the rooms of houses, synagogues and temples to clear and freshen the air and rid the smell of unpleasant odors from the room. The Greeks and the Romans used mint as a perfume and a bath scent, as well as using it in medicine and in cooking.

Mint was so revered by the ancient Greeks that they named the plant after the mythical character Minthe. According to Greek myth, Minthe or Menthe as she is also known, was a river nymph. Hades, the God of the Underworld, fell in love with Minthe and wanted to make her his lover. However, Persephone, Hades's wife found out and in a fit of rage turned Minthe into a plant, so that everyone would walk all over her and trample her. Unable to undo the spell, Hades gave Minthe a wonderful aroma so that he could smell her and be near her when people trod on her.

Mint contains a number of vitamin and minerals, which are vital to maintain a healthy body. Mint is rich in Vitamins A and C and also contains smaller amounts of Vitamin B2. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and may help to decrease the risk of certain cancers such as colon and rectal cancer. Although mint may be consumed in small quantities, the vital nutrients obtained are still beneficial to one's health.

Mint also contains a wide range of essential minerals such as manganese, copper, iron, potassium and calcium.

Mint has always been used medicinally to aid digestion and relieve indigestion. If you suffer from frequent indigestion, drinking a cup of peppermint tea after your meal  will help.

The chemical compound menthol, which is obtained from peppermint oil, is well known for its healing properties on the chest and respiratory system.

Mint is also said and in many cases proven to relieve symptoms of indigestion, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome by relaxing the muscles in and around the intestine. Mint acts as a powerful antioxident, protecting the body against the formation of cancerous cells, and inhibits the growth of many different types of bacteria and fungus.   Mint can  ease and unblock the breathing and respiratory passages and airways, and  relieves the symptoms of colds and flu.  Mint helps with  nasal allergies, and relieve congestion, head colds and headaches. Mint acts as a mild sedative and has calming properties, giving  relieve minor aches and pains such as muscle cramps and sprains. Mint is excellent to combat bad breath. Mint provides a cooling sensation to the skin and can help to treat minor burns, itching and skin irritations.  Mint is an excellent blood cleanser.  It may be one of the healthiest part of a Mediterranean diet that provideds great health benefits.  Mint tea is an excellent remedy for acne.

ROSEMARY

Rosemary contains powerful antioxidants.  In the days before refrigeration, meat was sometimes wrapped in rosemary leaves for flavoring as well as to keep it from going rancid. The antioxidants in rosemary may also offer some level of cancer protection. In one laboratory study, animals that were exposed to toxic chemicals but consumed rosemary developed cancer less frequently than those that did not.

Rosemary has been shown to help kill bacteria that cause infection, which supports its traditional use as an antiseptic treatment for wounds. In France during World War II nurses burned rosemary leaves together with juniper berries to keep the hospital germ-free, which is why the French sometimes refer to it as incensier. The scent of rosemary is also thought to help relieve congestion caused by allergies and respiratory infections.

Like two other culinary herbs, sage and thyme, rosemary contains phytochemicals that help guard against the depletion of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial to proper brain function. Rosemary also protects the brain from oxidation and increases blood flow, two actions that may help prevent or slow the development of Alzheimer's. Better yet, the phytochemicals and antioxidants in rosemary can be absorbed topically through the skin as well-massaging with rosemary oil is beneficial to both physical and mental well-being.

Rosemary has a long history of use as a treatment for gastrointestinal disorders. It helps relax muscle spasms in the digestive tract, and is approved by Commission E for treatment of indigestion. However, studies performed in Italy have shown that rosemary can actually cause cramping in the uterus, and may help stimulate menstruation-pregnant women should avoid anything but culinary use of this herb. Massaging with rosemary oil has also been shown to ease muscle spasms and improve circulation-rosemary may be as effective as horse chestnut for treating circulatory disorders such as venous insufficiency. In fact, rosemary's prowess as a muscle and circulatory rejuvenator is literally legend-an 11th century hermit was said to have cured the Queen of Hungary from paralysis by rubbing her limbs with a strong rosemary wine.

Rosemary, also known as rosemarine, has a long tradition of culinary and medicinal use. Today, Rosemary is  still a popular herb for seasoning meats, and modern herbalists recommend it for treatment of depression, indigestion, headache, muscle aches, and bad breath.

Lemon Balmwas dedicated to the goddess Diana, and used medicinally by the Greeks some 2,000 years ago. In the Middles Ages lemon balm was used to soothe tension, to dress wounds, and as a cure for toothache, skin eruptions, mad dog bites, crooked necks, and sickness during pregnancy. It was even said to prevent baldness. As a medicinal plant, lemon balm has traditionally been employed against bronchial inflammation, earache, fever, flatulence, headaches, high blood pressure, influenza, mood disorders, palpitations, toothache and vomiting. A tea made from Lemon balm leaves is said to soothe menstrual cramps and helps relieve PMS.

The herb is used for nervous agitation, sleeping problems, functional gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual cramps and urinary spasms.


It is thought that the volatile oils in lemon balm contain chemicals that relax muscles, particularly in the bladder, stomach, and uterus, thereby relieving cramps, gas, and nausea.


ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy) lists its internal use for tenseness, restlessness, irritability, and symptomatic treatment of digestive disorders, such as minor spasms; externally, for herpes labialis (ESCOP, 1997).
Lemon balm is widely used to treat anxiety and insomnia in Europe. It reduces anxiety and stress and eases sleep disorders. Recently it produced an unexpected result in a research study: it greatly increased the ability to concentrate and perform word and picture tasks.  

Research has shown that the plant contains polyphenols, it can help significantly in the treatment of cold sores and combat the herpes simplex virus, shingles as well as other viral afflictions. Studies have shown a significant reduction in the duration and severity of herpes. Researchers also noted a "tremendous reduction" in the frequency of recurrence.  


In one study on 115 patients, a proprietary preparation of lemon balm extract in a lip balm showed efficacy in treating lip sores associated with the herpes simplex virus (Wöbling and Leonhardt, 1994).

Lemon balm is used in Europe for treating thyroid problems and has shown an ability to regulate thyroid hormone production. This ability, along with the herbs anti-viral characteristics have made the herb useful in the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.


Lemon balm contains volatile (essential) oils ,including citronellal and citrals A and B, which are known to have sedative properties. In both animal and human studies, lemon balm taken by mouth has had calming effects. In larger doses, it may promote sleep. In one study, researchers found that using lemon balm also improved memory and lengthened attention span in individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This effect may be due to its content of antioxidants, which are thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation.


Another small but interesting study used lemon balm, aromatherapeutically to calm overexcited individuals suffering from dementia. Dementia is an increasing deficiency in thought processes caused by brain damage such as from a stroke or disease such as Alzheimer's disease. 




 LINDEN

Linden has been used in European folk medicine for centuries for a wide range of health conditions. Today  Linden is used by some cultures in connection with anxiety. Some trials have produced results indicating that linden flower tea can help people with mild gallbladder problems, upset stomach or dyspepsia, and excessive gas causing the stomach to press against the bottom of the heart (also known as the gastrocardiac syndrome).

When taken as a hot tea, linden flowers act as a diaphoretic. Diaphoretics induce a mild fever, thereby possibly helping to increase the immune system's ability to fight infections. The fever usually does not go very high because the diaphoretic also causes sweating, which in turn cause the body to cool off. In a few European countries, linden has received approval for the treatment of colds and cold-related coughs.

 Linden is used in connection with specific conditions and symptoms: Flowers are used for colds, cough, bronchitis, infectious diseases, and headache (particularly migraine), and as a diuretic (increases urine production), antispasmodic (reduces spasm), and sedative Leaves are used for  internal use-intestinal complaints; external use-ulcers in the leg. Linden Wood is used  liver and gallbladder disorders, cellulitis (inflammation of the body's connective tissue).

 
 EUCALYPTUS

Few trees in the world are as fast-growing and aromatic as the eucalyptus tree. Native to Australia and used by the Aborigines to reduce fevers, control coughs and relieve arthritis and skin sores, the eucalyptus made its first appearance in Europe in the nineteenth century.

Eucalyptus contains essential oil, which up to 80 percent of eucalyptol eucalyptus is antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal and antipasmodic.Drinking eucalyptus tea has been found beneficial for sore throats, colds and flu. . div>




The eucalyptus tree is grown in the tropical and temperate regions of the world today. Eucalyptus is primarily values for its leaves, which are used to make an essential oil, eucalyptus tea and compresses.This herbal tea works in much the same way, since the cineol found in the leaves and oil is both an expectorant and decongestant. Thus, the eucalyptus tea is effective in treating nasal stuffiness caused by a cold or flu and bronchitis. 

 WOOD BETONY

Wood Betony was once one of the most revered of herbal medicines... there was indeed a common saying that one had "as many virtues as Betony" and  Colonial herbalist John Sauer wrote that "there is no illness brought on by cold in which Betony cannot be administered effectively."  Today, however, it is generally an obscurity, used by few and seldom available to the general public by way of health food stores.  This is a great tragedy, for  it has been found it to be one of the most useful herbs available in addressing a number of common but pernicious maladies.  Its material properties of astringency and mild bitterness have long made it a valued wound and digestive remedy, but paramount among its virtues is its unique efficacy in treating tension, pain and disorganization centered in the head and mind (which is to say both the physical and energetic).

Betony is excellent for headaches of all sorts (tension and migraine alike), and beyond that have seen it to act in a decidedly restorative manner.

Betony also acts as a tonic for the digestive tract, and is believed to strengthen the solar plexus, a topic covered very nicely by Matthew Wood in his  book of Herbal Wisdom. The solar plexus is believed to house a person's instincts and intuitive faculties; this is why we have expressions like "gut feelings" and "trust your gut".  By freeing energy trapped in the head and strengthening the solar plexus, Wood Betony will be of aid to people who ignore their gut feelings and try to intellectualize and rationalize all that goes on around them.  We might imagine the person who meets someone and intuitively gets a "bad feeling" from them, but then chides themselves for being "judgmental" and then ends of in some baleful relationship replete with all the qualities foreboded by their initial impression.  Betony has also been noted to help with PTSD. 

Betony is warming, astringent and has been used to improve digestion by strengthening and restoring tone to digestive tissues.  It has likewise been used to strengthen the tissues of the urinary tract, and this astringency also explains its long history of use as a "woundwort", being used to staunch bleeding both internal and external.  It has been historically poulticed over injuries of all sorts, and deemed specific to concussion, stroke and facial neuralgia (there are, as well, formulas specifically for head injuries that have left the brain exposed).  It is a nervine tonic, nourishing and building the vital energy with regular use.  It is  a warming and drying expectorant, good for damp coughs brought on my cold.  Though I have not seen it often attributed as a diaphoretic, as a mint this action would not be surprising.  Really, the plant has traditionally been recognized as a panacea - improving any condition to which it is administered. 

 BLACKBERRY LEAF

Blackberry is considered to be the goddess herb, which belongs to the planetary sphere of Venus. By this fact some explain the beneficial effect Blackberry leaf has on the human body. Its benefits are first and foremost are associated with diarrhea and dysentery treatment. However, the application of Blackberry leaf is not limited by that. Health practitioners have reported successfully using the herb to treat anemia and regulates menses.

Since ancient times, the leaves of the blackberry plant have been used curatively, especially throughout Europe and Asia. For example, two thousand years ago, the roman army doctor Galenos had his soldiers chew blackberry leaves to strengthen gums and build up physical resistance; today, we know it was the vitamin C and tannins in the leaves that he was counting on to boost immunity and heal wounds. Blackberry leaves have high levels of tannins and vitamin C, and they are made into a tea that has proved beneficial as a remedy for diarrhea, a gargle for throat inflammations and a compress for wounds and rashes. The tea also helps regulate both heavy and light menstrual flow and is a gastrointestinal soother. Blackberry leaf has long been reputed as a powerful astringent agent, employed for the purpose of treating children suffering from cholera, as well as of counteracting relaxed condition of the intestines, extravasations from the stomach and intestines.

ELEUTHERO ROOT

Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng is the root or stem of shrub that belongs to the ginseng family. It is commonly known as touch-me-not and devil’s shrub. This herb is grown in the Northern China, Eastern Russia, Japan and Korea. Commonly its root and underground stem (rhizomes) are used in the medicines. This herb is medicinally used to enhance the immune system and its responses as well as increasing the stamina. It is thought to facilitate memory and concentration. It is helpful in relieving the fatigue and the reducing ability to work. Eleuthero also shows its activity in stressful situation and helpful for those suffering from stress. It is traditional Chinese medicine used as a remedy for the insomnia.

2,000 years ago, the Chinese used Eleuthero as a toner for stimulating the energy production. From the early 1950s research in Russia, the Chinese derives the use of Eleuthero. The Chinese used this herb as a medicine to regulate the body functions, restore strength/energy, and improve appetite and maintaining the health. It was also used by Chinese to protect from respiratory tract infections, cold and flu. The people of Siberian Taiga region in Russia was used this herb to enhance the quality and performance of life and to reduce the rate of infections. In the more modern days, eleuthero has been used to enhance the stamina in athletes.

Russian researcher I. I. Brekhman has explained that Eleuthero acts as an adaptogen (an agent that helps the body adapt to stress) which reduces the frequency of functional disorders in organisms. It has unspecified action to regulate the body functions what ever the conditions are.
Early 1950s studies indicated that extract of eleuthero enhances the mental attentiveness, work output as well as quality of work during the stressful situations. It is also shown to improve the athlete’s performance. Besides these, it is strongly stimulating the immune system.
German authorities believed that Eleuthero is a stimulating tonic for the fatigue, reduced working performance and in the lack of concentration.

Eleuthero has been traditionally used to support the immune system. It is thought to enhance the immune response by stimulating the production of T- cells (special types of white blood cell that kills the foreign diseased particles). Certain studies also shown, that tincture of eleuthero can improve the function of immune system by increasing the number of T-lymphocytes. These cells are reduced during the autoimmune disorders such as AIDS and HIV infections. 

Eleuthero can act as an adaptogen which has the ability to adapt the body during stressful conditions. It performs this action by supporting the adrenal gland function that helps the body to cope with stress through the release of certain hormones.

The stress reduction ability of Eleuthero is also helpful in the treatments of mental problem such as depression. Some researches have shown that it improves memory and concentration by maintaining the balance levels of mood determining brain chemicals.
When a 3 month study on this herb is performed, indicated that it can improve the concentration and memory of middle aged people.

Eleuthero is also useful in improving the athlete’s performance by increasing the muscle strength and stamina. Research has shown that it improves the use of oxygen by exercising muscles so that the person is able to maintain oxygen dependent exercise and recover more quickly.   

1 comment:

  1. Hi... it'd be great if you're going to quote several paragraphs of my writing if you could credit me as the source and add a link back to my site...

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