The Amazing Health Benefits of Oolong Tea

What is Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea is one of the most popular types of tea in China. There are many health benefits of oolong tea and some even consider it to be more beneficial than the very popular green tea. Also known as wu long or brown tea, the tea is quite popular in both Japan and China.

The name "oolong tea" comes from the Chinese word meaning "black dragon tea". There are different theories about the origin of the Chinese oolong tea. One theory says that the tea originated from the Dragon-Phoenix Tea Cake tribute tea and was named Black Dragon tea later on since it was dark, long, and curly. 

Some people believe that it originated in the 16th century at Mt. Wu Yi Shan in the Fujianprovince of China. There are others who believe that it was accidentally discovered by someone named Wu Liang. The story goes that Wu Liang was picking tea leaves when he got distracted. The tea leaves began to be oxidized and this is how oolong tea originated.

Indeed, it is true that oolong tea does go through some amount of oxidation during its processing. The degree of fermentation can vary depending on the variety of the oolong tea. It is this unique process that gives oolong tea its unique taste and health benefits.

                                                        

Health Benefits of Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a rich source of compounds called polyphenols which seems to be reason for its health benefits and unique taste. Oolong tea seems to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals. An increase in the number of free radicals can lead to various diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. It can also lead to wrinkles and age spots.

Here are some of the oolong tea health benefits that you can expect due to its antioxidant effects. 

Beneficial for diabetics

Continuous intake of oolong tea for more than a month may reduce the blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Good for the heart

Regular consumption of oolong tea may reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases. This is again due to the antioxidant effects of this healthy Chinese tea. It may also keep your cholesterol under check. This means a reduced chance of developing heart disease, strokes, and hypertension.

Wonderful Benefits for the Skin

Oolong tea may help delay the formation of wrinkles and dark spots. Free radicals are believed to hasten the signs of aging on your skin. The antioxidant effects of oolong tea may neutralize these wrinkle-causing free radicals and make you look younger.

Good for the Kidneys and the Spleen

It is believed in Chinese herbal medicine that a weak spleen and weak kidney energy is responsible for many diseases. The Chinese believe that one of the health benefits of oolong tea is in improving spleen and kidney energy. So, regular consumption of the tea may improve your overall health.

Oolong tea and weight loss

One of the reasons why oolong tea is becoming increasingly popular is its effect on obesity. More research is needed to find out about how this tea does indeed promote weight loss. However, it may stem from the caffeine content of the Chinese oolong tea. It also contains theophylline and theobromine, chemicals which work just like caffeine. The tea may also enhance metabolism which can help in burning fat.

                                                           

Other health benefits of oolong tea

Oolong tea may be beneficial in fighting against tooth decay. It is also believed to be effective against atopic dermatitis, a skin condition. Its antioxidant properties can work in reducing the risk of various cancers and bladder infections. The fumes of the tea may help in cleansing the lungs.

How to Make Oolong Tea - The Traditional Way

The ceremonial way of brewing oolong tea is called the gongfucha. It is commonly used in China and Taiwan and uses a traditional small vessel called a gaiwan or Yixing clay teapot. The water is ideally kept just below boiling point. Multiple short steeps of 20 seconds to 3 minutes are done before the oolong tea is served in a traditional cup. The first steep is usually used for rinsing the tea leaves and is not meant for drinking.

How to Make Oolong Tea - The Simple Way

If you just want to do it the modern way, just brew about 2 teaspoons of oolong tea in a cup of boiled water. Brew for about 1-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want your tea to be, and pour it in a cup and enjoy!

Don't throw away the tea leaves. Unlike other tea leaves, you can use your oolong leaves 3-5 times. In fact, the third or fourth steeping of the tea is considered to offer the best taste.

The Different Varieties of Oolong Tea

While there are many health benefits of oolong tea, there are several different varieties of this Chinese tea as well. Lishan oolong, Dong Ding oolong, Ti Kuan Yin, Darjeeling oolong, and Oriental Beauty are only some varieties of oolong tea. Just try the different varieties and experiment yourself to find out which ones you like best.

                                                      

Get Ready to Enjoy Your Cup of Oolong Tea!

So, ready to reap the many health benefits of oolong tea? Then go on and try it out. Just don't overdo it because like your usual tea and coffee, this one also contains caffeine. Too much of it may just lead to nervousness, anxiety, and fidgetiness.

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© Copyright Roohi Khan, 2014. All rights reserved.

 

The Powerful Health Benefits of Astragalus Root

Leading Herb in Chinese Traditional Medicine

Used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus is one herb that you just can't ignore. From improving energy levels to promoting heart health, this root offers benefits for almost every health-conscious individual. So, what is so wonderful about this herb?

Let's find out the answer to this question by learning about the many health benefits of astragalus root. But before we do that let's take a look at what exactly is astragalus root.

What is Astragalus Root?

Astragalus belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, and there are over 3,000 species of this plant. However, not all of the species of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. The plant is mostly found in China.

According to the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a part of the US National Institute of Health (NIH), there are certain species of this plant which can be toxic for humans. For example, the locoweed species found in the US has been found to cause poisoning in animals. It contains the neurotoxin, swainsonine, which makes it dangerous for humans.

Astragalus membranaceus is the main species of the plant which is used for health and medicinal purposes. It is commonly referred as milk vetch. The Western world acknowledged the benefits of this century-old Chinese herb only in the 1980s. Since then, the root can be found in the form of supplements in almost every known herbal store and has benefited millions of people around the world with its immunity-boosting properties.

The Chinese name of the herb, "huang qi" means "yellow leader". The herb gets its name from the fact that the root is yellow in color and astragalus is one of the leading herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The root of the plant is used to make the medicine. Chinese herbal medicine practitioners used to boil the root to make a decoction. The root is then discarded and the decoction is given to the patient. Herbs such as ginseng are often combined with astragalus to help enhance its potency for the treatment or prevention of various illnesses and chronic diseases.

So, why is astragalus considered to be such a potent medicinal herb? Let's take a look at a few of the health benefits of astragalus now and why it may be the perfect daily herbal supplement for you too.

                                   

What are the Health Benefits of Astragalus?

Traditional Chinese medicine considers astragalus to be a sweet and warming herb. It is considered to have beneficial effects on many organs of the body. It is also a fantastic restorative tonic.

Astragalus contains a specific chemical that slows down the aging process inside the cells of the body.Dr. Mehmet Oz reports that it does this by stimulating an enzyme called telomerase (hTERT). Telomerase is responsible for lengthening telomeres, which protects the DNA of your cells, thereby increasing its lifespan. Aging has a damaging effect on the length of your telomeres, thus, increasing your susceptibility to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and even cancer.

When you regularly consume astragalus supplements, it stimulates the production of telomerase. This in turn maintains or lengthens telomeres, thus, slowing down the effects of the aging process on the cells of your body. The herb may, therefore, protect you from various diseases such as heart attacks, atherosclerosis, strokes, diabetes, and cancer.

The herb's antioxidant properties may also offer further benefits for people looking for better cardiovascular health by balancing cholesterol levels.

A 2011 study reported in the Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine found that astragalus improves heart functioning and the quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure at moderate doses. While further research is required, it can definitely be said that the herb offers potentially strong benefits in improving heart health.

Astragalus is also an adaptogen, that is, it improves your resistance to physical, mental and emotional stress. Regular use of this herb will boost your immune system and prevent diseases as well as reduce the damaging effects of daily stress.

Besides being a potent immunity booster, this natural supplement has antibacterial and antiviral properties. This is why it is commonly used as part of various herbal combinations for preventing as well as treating colds, flu, and other upper respiratory disorders. It may also help relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Its ability to lower blood sugar may be useful for people suffering from type 2 diabetes

A study conducted on mice published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2013 found that when combined with rubus coreanus, astragalus membranaceus may help in the prevention and treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Astragalus is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hepatitis in combination with other potent herbs. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that extracts taken from the astragalus membranaceus and salvia miltiorhiza together suppress the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats, the most common form of liver cancer.

The herb may also improve blood counts in people with aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the body's bone marrow does not make enough new blood cells.

The herb has been found to offer protection from cancer. It also reduces the side-effects of cancer treatment. A study published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules in 2013 found that astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides showed anti-tumor activity and improved immune response in rats with liver cancer.

University of Maryland Medical Center reports that US researchers have been studying astragalus as a potential herb for improving the immune systems of cancer patients going through chemotherapy or radiation treatment. It has been found that the root may help in reducing the side-effects of cancer treatment and it may help in decreasing fatigue and promoting appetite. In short, astragalus may help cancer patients recover faster and may also improve their lifespan.

This potent Chinese herb has also been found to protect the kidneys and helps treat kidney disease. It is also considered to stimulate the spleen, lungs, urinary bladder and the liver. Astragalus may help in detoxification and cleansing of the body as well as help in the treatment of bladder infections. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help in conditions such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

                               

Are There Any Side-Effects of Astragalus Supplements?

The benefits of astragalus have ensured that it is becoming an increasingly popular herb used in various herbal formulations. If you stick to recommended daily dosages of the herb, the chances of any side-effects are almost zero.

However, like any other herb, a little bit of care must be taken if you are planning to take this supplement on a regular basis. This is especially important if you are planning on taking other herbs and medications along with astragalus.

According to the NCCAM, astragalus may interact with medications such as cyclophosphamide, which suppress the immune system. So, avoid taking this herb with immuno-suppressing medications. The herb may also interact with corticosteroids.

The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the root prevents the easy elimination of lithium from the body. This may lead to highly dangerous levels of the drug causing potentially serious side-effects. So, avoid taking astragalus supplements if you are taking lithium on a continuing basis.

Besides this, pregnant and lactating women should avoid using this herb since it may affect the health of the fetus. You should also avoid giving this herb to children since research has not established it efficacy and safety with kids. Make sure to consult your health practitioner if you are taking regular medications for any chronic disease to rule out possible interactions with any drugs.

What is the Recommended Dosage of Astragalus?

Generally safe for adults, astragalus is easily available online or in health food stores. You can buy the herb in the form of the root, extract, tablets or capsules, or tincture. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends a dosage of 250-500 mg in powdered form or as an extract.

You can also purchase the dried root and prepare your own decoction to get the above-mentioned astragalus benefits. About 3-6 g of dried root is boiled in 12 oz water for about 10-15 minutes. Remove the root and drink the decoction for treating colds and other respiratory infections and enjoying other health benefits. You can also buy Astragalus Tea from Amazon.

                              

So, now that you know about the potential astragalus health benefits, what are you waiting for? Check out some products and buy the one that you think suits best for you. You may also want to try out an herbal formulation that contains astragalus along with other medicinal herbs such as ginseng. Just stick to the right dosage and avoid taking it with other medications and you are surely going to notice its benefits for your health in a few weeks.

Try a few other herbs too:
         

References:

US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), Astragalus Fact Sheet

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/astragalus

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Astragalus Root: Is This Right for You?

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/astragalus-root-right-you

Yang QY, Lu S, Sun HR. Clinical effect of Astragalus granule of different

dosages on quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. Chin J Integr

Med. 2011 Feb;17(2):146-9.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21390582

Jung Koo H, Sohn EH, Kim YJ, Jang SA, Namkoong S, Chan Kang S. Effect of the

combinatory mixture of Rubus coreanus Miquel and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge

extracts on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice and anti-RANK signaling

effect. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Dec 12.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24333364

Hu X, Rui W, Wu C, He S, Jiang J, Zhang X, Yang Y. Compound Astragalus and

Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts suppress hepatocarcinogenesis by modulating

TGF-β/Smad signaling. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Dec 12.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24329763

Yang B, Xiao B, Sun T. Antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of Astragalus

membranaceus polysaccharides in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Int J Biol Macromol. 2013

Nov;62:287-90.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24060282

University of Maryland Medical Center, Astragalus

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/astragalus

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© Copyright Roohi Khan, 2013. All rights reserved.

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

What to do for a healthy hair growth?

So, you have done everything that you could to get a healthy hair growth. Somebody said, "Exercise", so you began hitting the gym seven days a week. Someone else said, "Massage your hair with oil", and you did that too. Well, exercising and massaging are believed to increase blood supply to your scalp, which may help you get beautiful and shiny hair. However, if you are not eating the right foods, exercising and massaging are not going to be much useful for you.

So, the idea is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. So, what are the nutrients and foods that can give you beautiful and lustrous hair?

Fish

Two of the most important nutrients for healthy hair are iron and protein. You can easily get these nutrients by consuming fishes of the oily variety. Fishes of the oily variety, include salmon and mackerel. These fishes are also packed with omega-3 essential fatty acids which are necessary for a healthy scalp. These fatty acids will provide shine and luster to your hair, giving it a healthy appearance. Fishes are also rich sources of vitamin B12, another important nutrient for beautiful hair.

Dairy Products

You may be avoiding dairy products because you don't want to put on those extra pounds. However, if you want shiny hair, you should include the low-fat varieties in your diet. Low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese and skimmed milk provide you with two high-quality proteins. These are whey and casein. Dairy products are also rich sources of calcium, an important mineral for good hair.

Whole Grains

Whole grain foods are healthy for our bodies. We have read this statement many times. Here is another reason to feast on these. Whole grain foods are good for your hair as well. Whole-wheat breads and fortified breakfast cereals are rich sources of iron and the B vitamins. These foods are also rich sources of zinc, a mineral that may affect the levels of hormones associated with hair loss.

                                                               

Oysters

A potent aphrodisiac, oysters are the richest sources of zinc. As already mentioned, zinc is a mineral that helps regulate the level of hormones that control the thickness and growth of your hair. Of course, you can get zinc from whole grain foods. Some of the best zinc-rich foods for healthy hair also include beef and lamb.

                                                               

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach are excellent sources of vitamins A and C. Both these vitamins are necessary for the production of adequate amounts of sebum, so these nutrients will keep your hair soft and lustrous. Vitamin C is also necessary for the absorption of iron, so your leafy green vegetables will also provide strength to your weak hair. Broccoli and other dark green vegetables are also rich sources of Vitamin C.

Nuts

Nuts such as cashews, walnuts and pecans are rich sources of the mineral zinc. So, these will help reduce hair loss. Walnuts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. Brazil nuts and walnuts are also rich sources of the mineral called selenium. This nutrient is important to maintain a healthy scalp and may also prevent dryness and dandruff. So, make sure to include a handful of nuts in your daily diet for healthy hair.

                                                           


Eggs


One of the richest sources of protein, eggs also provides your hair with biotin and vitamin B12. Keep in mind that your hair is made of protein, so if you are not consuming enough of this nutrient on a daily basis, your hair will suffer. So, include different foods that are rich sources of protein in your daily diet.

Flaxseed

If you don't like fish, you can get your supply of omega-3 essential fatty acids from flaxseed. This is especially useful for vegetarians. Besides being a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed is also a rich source of a nutrient called lignans. This compound has been found to be particularly useful in slowing down hair loss. However, if you want lignan, make sure to buy ground whole flaxseeds since the compound is present in the shell of this food.

                                                 

Chicken

Turkey and chicken meat are also rich sources of protein. These foods also provide ample amounts of iron, so you are sure to see an improvement in the strength of your hair with the regular consumption of these foods.

Legumes

Whether you like them or not, you have got to include these in your diet if you want a healthy scalp and beautiful hair. Just by including foods such as kidney beans and lentils in your diet, you are sure to get your daily supply of nutrients for healthy hair. These include iron, zinc and protein. Legumes are also rich sources of a B vitamin known as biotin. Lack of this vitamin can lead to brittle hair prone to breakage. So, make sure to include a cup of cooked beans or lentils in your diet at least three times a week.

                                                             

So, make sure to include these foods for healthy hair in your diet. Keep in mind that iron, protein, calcium, B vitamins, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium are wonderful nutrients to promote healthy hair growth. If you are including these nutrients in your food, you are doing the best thing for your hair. Certain home remedies for hair loss may also help in strengthening the hair and scalp and give you thick and lustrous hair. If you think you are not getting enough of these nutrients, consider taking a daily hair growth supplement.

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