| In recent years, much research has been done | | | | portion of the beverages consumed in the |
| on ways to prevent breast cancer and other | | | | Western world. |
| disease. Much of the research has focused on | | | | |
| green tea, which has been shown in many | | | | Most people who drink herbal teas buy |
| studies to have cancer preventing qualities. | | | | commercially produced loose teas or tea bags. |
| | | | And, this is considered the safest way to |
| So much research has been done, in fact, that | | | | consume herbal teas. Making your own brew |
| Japan's medical community now calls green tea | | | | from plants you've picked in the wild is |
| a known cancer preventative, and other | | | | risky, at best. |
| medical communities are expected to follow | | | | |
| suit. | | | | If you're taking prescription medication, be |
| | | | sure to consult with your doctor before |
| One recent study, however, suggests that | | | | making herbal teas part of your regular |
| herbal teas may be effective in preventing | | | | routine. Some herbs have been known to have |
| breast cancer, too. The UK Tea Council | | | | interactions with medications. But, as long |
| reported on a study conducted on over 4000 | | | | as your doctor approves, there's no reason to |
| French women with no history of cancer. The | | | | avoid herbal teas, whether for health |
| women were studied over a 6 year period, and | | | | protection or just for pleasure. |
| received a mammogram and other cancer | | | | |
| screening tests every two years during the | | | | There are dozens of different types of herbal |
| period. | | | | teas available. In fact, one of the pieces of |
| | | | information not noted in the study mentioned |
| In addition, the women were evaluated based | | | | above was what kind of herbal teas the study |
| on the particular beverages they consumed, | | | | participants drank. But, if you're interested |
| including herbal tea, regular tea, coffee, | | | | in trying them, here are some of the most |
| fruit juices and wine. | | | | popular varieties. |
| | | | |
| By the end of the six year period, 95 of the | | | | Rooibos - This is an herbal tea whose base is |
| participants had developed breast cancer. | | | | the South African Rooibos herb -it's often |
| However, the study could not find any link | | | | referred to as red tea. You'll find this tea |
| between any of the beverages consumed and an | | | | delicious and sweet on its own, but it can |
| increased risk of breast cancer. | | | | also be found flavored with other fruits. |
| | | | |
| Surprisingly, however, they did find that the | | | | Yerba Mate Herbal Tea - This tea is made from |
| women that consumed herbal teas had a | | | | the South American herb Yerba Mate. It is |
| slightly lower risk of developing breast | | | | very healthy; full of anti-oxidants and |
| cancer than those women who consumed other | | | | vitamins and is said to give energy. |
| beverages. | | | | |
| | | | Chamomile - This is a traditional herbal tea |
| Herbal tea, of course, is not really tea at | | | | made from the chamomile plant. Chamomile has |
| all. Rather herbal teas, also known as | | | | been used for centuries to induce sleep and |
| tisanes, are really infusions of one or more | | | | relieve upset stomachs. |
| herbs. They are made with hot water and taken | | | | |
| like tea, hence the name; but true herbal | | | | Ginger Tea - Spicy ginger has been used for |
| teas contain no leaves from the Camilla | | | | centuries to make tea. It's delicious and |
| sinensis plant, the tea tree. | | | | also highly regarded as a treatment for |
| | | | nausea. Ginger tea is an especially good |
| However, herbal teas can have many useful | | | | natural treatment for morning sickness. |
| purposes, and are used to treat many | | | | |
| discomforts naturally. | | | | Lavender Tea - Tea made from the lavender |
| | | | plant has been used for many years to help |
| Just as they are thought to have discovered | | | | calm the soul and induce sleep. A weak brew |
| traditional tea, it is believed that the | | | | of lavender can be used to calm a colicky |
| Chinese discovered herbal teas, too. Herbs | | | | baby, too. |
| were widely used in ancient medicines, and | | | | |
| the Chinese, were the first to combine the | | | | Herbal teas can be a wonderful addition to |
| healing properties of herbs with the | | | | your diet. They can be used to treat minor |
| enjoyment of tea. | | | | ailments and provide a feeling of calm. And, |
| | | | now that there's evidence that herbal teas |
| Brewing a tea from the correct combination of | | | | may help prevent breast cancer, they can |
| herbs may simply have been the easiest way to | | | | become part of your regular health protecting |
| administer the medicine. | | | | routine. |
| | | | |
| Herbal teas were not widely used in the | | | | Protecting yourself from cancer includes |
| Western world until the last 20 years, though | | | | living an overall healthy lifestyle. This |
| Asian cultures have continued to use them in | | | | includes getting regular exercise, eating a |
| conjunction with modern medicine. However, in | | | | diet that is low in saturated fat and rich in |
| the last few years, herbs have become popular | | | | fresh fruits and vegetables and not smoking. |
| in the rest of the world for relaxation and | | | | |
| as alternative medical treatments. | | | | Be sure to include the most potent |
| | | | anti-oxidants in your diet too, like those |
| Statistics show that today consumers spend | | | | found in blueberries, artichokes, |
| about $120 million on herbal teas at major | | | | pomegranates and green tea. Following these |
| supermarkets, and that figure is growing at a | | | | guidelines and adding a cup or two of herbal |
| rate of about 10% per year. So, you can see | | | | tea, as well, can help you protect your |
| that herbal teas make up a significant | | | | health for years to come. |