Loose Leaf Tea - Benefits

For many of us tea has been drank for its flavors and aromas, but what many more people are finding out, is the medicinal qualities of loose leaf tea. In an age of preservatives and fast food, its encouraging to know that a lot more people are using tea the way it was intended. The following herbs are some of the most popular used today..

PLANTAIN Plantain is a gentle but powerful astringent, helping to dry up catarrhal and restore tone to congested mucous membranes. Making it an effective herb for any catarrhal complaints such as bronchitis, asthma, coughs, and whooping cough.

OAK BARK Oak bark has been used to reduce fever and is also effective in countering diarrhea. It has also been found to be helpful in stopping internal bleeding making it an ideal herb for nosebleeds. Oak bark can also be used externally for skin irritations, also as a mouthwash for sore throats and gums.

AGRIMONY Agrimony stimulates the flow of digestive juices, facilitates liver secretions, prevents diabetes and is an excellent blood cleanser. Agrimony also counters indigestion, diarrhea, intestinal disorders, mucous colitis and appendicitis. It is also is beneficial for inflammation of the throat and mouth, tonsillitis, throat disorders and oral thrush. Agrimony can also be gargled to counter any throat infections.

SHEPHERD'S PURSE Shepherd's purse Herbal Tea is a beneficial herb used for any bleeding conditions. It also has a regulating effect on heart function and on high or low blood pressure. It can also be a useful herb for treatment for chronic diarrhea and dysentery.

GREEN The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: Researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

CATS CLAW Cats claw has many therapeutic applications including benefits for arthritis, allergies, menstrual irregularities, ulcers and a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. Some recent studies have found that cats claw can also boost the immune system. Making it a useful herb for Crohn's disease, gastric ulcers and tumors.