My Herbs 1

Flavored rooibos is very popular
among children, and it reduces their
desire to consume sweets. These teas
are well suited for all ages.
Rooibos and honeybush are both prepared
by boiling in a clean pot, first letting
the leaves sink to the bottom.
Even if steeping time is prolonged, the
infusion is not going to get harsh but it
will gain in strength. These teas are
more appropriate than fruit tea preparation
because they are not sour.
Lapacho tea is actually made out of
the bark of a South American tree with
strong detoxifying effects and an influence
on libido. Pots made of aluminum
should never be used when making lapacho
tea; only glass or porcelain is recommended.
Toss the bark in boiling
water, boil for approximately ten minutes,
and then let steep for 10 to 15
minutes.
HERBAL TEA
Herbal tea is wholesome tea, usually
concocted from several herbs which act
to prevent various illnesses or even as
a supportive treatment during health
problems. Depending on the type of
the herb, the tea is brewed with either
boiling or hot water and steeped for
5 to 15 minutes. As the saying goes,
there is an herb for every ailment. It
used to be true, at least in the past,
when people looked for medicines in
nature. Today people are slowly coming
back to this mindset.
AYURVEDIC TEA
Due to its health benefits, Ayurvedic
tea is considered to be a part of the oldest
medicinal system from India. It’s an
infusion of a variety of spices brewed
either with boiling water or with milk.
The most famous Ayurvedic tea is the
Yogi tea, containing a concoction of
cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove,
and black peppercorns.
PREPARATION OF TEA:
For many people, the preparation
of tea is a little ritual. If you pay
enough attention to the preparation
of your tea, you will be rewarded
with genuine taste, and you
will be able to enjoy your drink
even more.
– Use two teaspoons of tea leaves to
make one cup of tea.
– Place the leaves on the bottom of
a pre-heated cup.
– Based on the type of tea, choose
the best water temperature. Use either
water that has just boiled, or let
the water cool down a bit (while
making green tea, you should
only use water that is warmer than
140°F / 60°C).
– Steep the leaves in water for the
appropriate amount of time.
– Tea is ready to be served. (Fruit
tea can be drunk cold and served as
an excellent refreshment during the
summer.)
–Try your tea with milk – black teas
or spiced teas are the most suitable
types for this combination. You will
be surprised by its soothing taste.
BE CAREFUL:
– Don't use mouthwash that contains
chlorhexidine just before drinking
tea. This type of mouthwash increases
the risk of marks on the teeth.
– If you have a peptic ulcer you
should avoid strong black tea. Similar
to coffee, strong black tea stimulates
the excretion of gastric acid
and irritates the stomach.
– Drinking tea can cause migraines
in more sensitive individuals. This
headache can be induced by caffeine
or bioflavonoids.
94 MY HERBS MAGAZINE