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