HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA

Natural teas can treat everything from arthritis to an upset stomach, without the unwanted side effects of over-the-counter medications.
Black Tea

• Full of tannic acids with strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, black tea can calm diarrhea or bloating by helping the body absorb fluids better.
• Wet tea bags will also reduce swelling on cuts, bee stings, bug bites, toothaches, or eyes suffering from conjunctivitis. • Poison ivy rash? Soak the area with 3 to 5 black tea bags for itch relief.
• The alkalines in black tea also neutralize acids and can relieve pain in canker and cold sores; apply a damp, cooled tea bag to the area, repeating 3 to 4 times a day.
• A black-tea foot soak will also kill bacteria and close pores, helping you sweat less and reduce odor.
Green Tea

• Researchers suspect that polyphenols in green tea may play an important role in cancer prevention, believing they help kill or slow cancer cells' growth. In a study of 472 women with breast cancer, those who drank the most green tea experienced the least spread of the disease. • In skin-cancer studies, lab animals given green tea developed one tenth as many tumors as animals who drank water. • Green tea also has been shown to lower your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke; reduce rates of tooth decay; and stop a decline in mental ability. • When it comes to memory, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that drinking just one cup of green tea a day made folks 55 and older 38 percent less likely to experience a decline in their mental abilities; drinking a second cup daily made them 54 percent less likely to show declines. • Studies have also shown that using green tea as a face wash or compress helps reduce acne blemishes.
Mint Tea

• Mint tea is excellent at stimulating digestion and dispelling gas to ease constipation, nausea, and vomiting. • A study in the Journal of Gastroenterology found that IBS patients taking peppermint-oil capsules for symptom relief experienced an approximately 40 percent greater reduction in abdominal pain and a 50 percent greater reduction in bloating and flatulence than those patients receiving a placebo. Researchers believe it may reduce the gag reflex by anesthetizing the stomach lining. • Drink a cup before each meal to calm your stomach muscles and help food move a little faster, especially if you’re indulging in fatty foods. • Mint tea can also be used to relieve throat pain, refresh achy feet (soak in cooled tea), and clear sinus pain.
Chamomile Tea: for stress

• Sipping chamomile tea or taking a chamomile bath are proven methods to reduce stress and anxiety. • The soothing tea is also a known remedy for sleep disorders and insomnia thanks to its sedative properties. • Chamomile also has antispasmodic properties that help with digestive issues. A cup of tea will reduce menstrual cramps, diarrhea, morning sickness, and general nausea and vomiting. • Researchers believe chamomile contains plant compounds that may lessen the gag reflex. • Chamomile inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Honey also helps fight ulcers, so add a little to your tea to help ulcers heal.

Chamomile Tea: for inflammation

• Strong chamomile tea can be applied to achy, arthritic joints for soothing relief, and to acne, blisters, or boils to reduce pain and redness. • A chamomile compress can also ease the swelling and itch of hives. • Used as a mouthwash, chamomile reduces gum pain and helps heal gingivitis. • Sipping or gargling with chamomile will reduce inflammation if you have a sore throat.
Lemon Tea

• If you suffer from allergies, a cup of hot lemon tea will wake up the hairs in your nose that keep pollen and dust out of your nasal passages, helping to reduce sneezing and coughing throughout the day. Add a little sage, fennel, or anise from your spice rack to boost the effect. • Lemon tea is also very effective as a cold remedy, where the astringent lemon shrinks swollen throat tissue. Add a little honey (a powerful natural antioxidant and antibiotic) to soothe and coat your throat.
Ginger: for digestion

• When it comes to digestive issues, ginger has been used for thousands of years to treat indigestion and diarrhea. Researchers believe it reduces intestinal contractions, neutralizes digestive acids, and curbs the brain’s “vomit center.” Two compounds in ginger also work on the inner ear and central nervous system, reducing dizziness and associated nausea. • Ginger also specifically targets the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, H. pylori. Many swear by ginger tea for morning sickness, menstrual cramps, motion sickness, and as a hangover cure.
Ginger: for inflammation

• Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties make it a great remedy for a cold, the flu, or congestion. Herbalists refer to ginger as a diaphoretic; as it helps you sweat it can help break a fever. • Ginger can also provide pain relief if you suffer from arthritis or tendonitis, and it has also been shown to soothe even the most painful migraine. Drink ginger tea with honey for added antioxidant benefits.
Black Pepper Tea

• This unusual remedy, rooted in New England folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, works great for wet coughs. Black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow, while honey is a natural cough reliever and antibiotic. Place 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Fill with boiling water and let steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain and sip as needed.
Thyme Tea

• Thyme is a strong antiseptic, and has been shown to lower the inflammation and pain of arthritis and gout patients. • A thyme-mint tea blend is a great solution to nasal or sinusitis pain, where the thyme calms inflamed sinuses and the mint acts as a natural decongestant. Inhale the steam from the hot thyme-mint tea for maximum effectiveness. • Achy feet? Simmer two tablespoons of dried thyme in a quart of boiling water for 20 minutes, then cool slightly and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Sage Tea

• Sage is known for its ability to soothe a sore throat and restore one's voice, but this herb also has elements that combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi. For a sore throat or laryngitis, gargle with sage tea or sip a cup that's been heavily sweetened with honey, which has mild antiseptic properties and will also help soothe inflamed, irritated throats. • Sage is also known to help ease night sweats that are associated with menopause.
Orange Peel Tea

• To help relieve diarrhea, make orange peel tea. Peel organic oranges (non-organic might have pesticides or dyes that can make your condition worse) and finely chop the peel, then toss in a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot tightly and steep until cool. Strain, sweeten with honey, and drink.

Lemon Balm Tea

• Herbalists call lemon balm “gladdening herb,” and for centuries this member of the mint family has been used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders naturally. • Lemon balm also contains two substances that fight herpes. Feel an outbreak coming on? Sip a cup of tea; you can also soak a cotton ball in lemon balm tea and apply it directly to cold sores and blisters in order to speed up healing.

Dandelion Tea

• Dandelion is a strong diuretic and stimulates blood circulation through the kidneys, helping to detox your kidneys and liver naturally. It's a good way to stimulate digestion before or after a big meal. When it comes to kidney health, this weed has been shown to reduce fluid retention resulting from kidney disorders, and also may help speed up the passing of a small kidney stone.

(Courtesy To iStock/Thinkstock & Reader's Digest)

GET RELIEF FROM HEADACHE WITHOUT DRUGS

Next time your skull's pounding, turn to these 6 natural headache remedies for quick relief.

The Coffee Remedy

A clinical trial in Illinois found that caffeine, which reduces the swelling of blood vessels, can reduce both the intensity and frequency of headaches. Subjects in one group were given caffeine alone, and 58 percent reported complete relief. Subjects in the other group were given caffeine in a combination with ibuprofen and 70 percent saw symptoms disappear. Try sipping a cup of coffee for headache relief.

The Hot or Cold Relief

To cure a tension headache (caused by contractions in the head and neck, and brought on by–among other things–stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep) without painkilling drugs, dip a washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and fold it into a compress. Now place it on your forehead or the back of your neck to relax tight muscles.
To ease a vascular headache (including migraine and cluster headaches, and stemming from the contraction and expansion of blood vessels in a particular area of the head), follow the same procedure, but using cold water, which constricts the blood vessels and reduces blood flow, taking the pressure off and providing relief to a hurting head.

The Massage Remedy

Use your middle finger to massage the points of the face just opposite your nostrils–that is, at the level of the tip of your nose. Massage with clockwise circles for 2 or 3 minutes to provide relief for your headache.

The Foot Soak Remedy

Blood drawn to the lower body will reduce pressure in the blood vessels of the head—and what's lower than your feet? To help soothe a throbbing vascular headache, soak your feet in a small tub filled with hot water mixed with mustard powder for headache relief. After a half hour or so, hotfoot it to the nearest towel and dry your feet.

The Ginger Tea Remedy

Ginger works especially well for migraines. Make a tea by pouring 3 cups water over 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger. Let steep 4 to 5 minutes, then strain through a small sieve into a teacup. Sip the tea for headache relief. Ginger tea bags are also available, but the tea lacks the punch of fresh ginger-root tea.

The Headband Remedy

Tie a scarf, necktie, or bandana tightly around your forehead to reduce the flow of blood to your scalp, and in turn, to throbbing, swollen blood vessels. You should feel some relief after a few minutes.

WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU HAVE A COLD

Each year, there are lot of cases of the common cold around the world. Here's what to eat when you have a cold to beat the sniffles.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Eating a bowl of steaming chicken noodle soup provides more than just comfort when you have a terrible cold. In 2000, University of Nebraska researcher Dr. Stephen Rennard published findings in Chest, the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, showing chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory agents that can ease a cold's symptoms. Dr. Mehmet Oz agrees. "Start with a bowl of Mom’s chicken soup," he has said. "Research has yet to show how it works (and how the heck Ma knew), but we do know that a nutrient-rich diet builds your immune system and fights inflammation."

Milk and Other Vitamin D-Rich Foods

Vitamin D-rich foods like milk or fortified cereal might help combat a cold. A 2009 study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that people with low levels of vitamin D reported more colds than those who weren't vitamin D deficient. As an added bonus, these foods may help boost your mood during cold weather months, according to researchers at Loyola University.

Carrots and Other Vitamin A-Rich Foods

All vitamins are essential to a healthy body, but Harvard Medical School says vitamin A is a key player in maintaining a strong immune system. When you have a cold, try eating sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, spinach, or collard greens.

Cold Green Tea

Green tea is full of antioxidants, which will boost your immune system even when you're already sick. Instead of sipping a hot mugful, Dr. Michael Greger suggests brewing it cold: antioxidant levels are higher that way compared to when it's made with boiling water.

Garlic

Garlic has been found to help prevent colds when consumed regularly, owing to its immune-boosting compound allicin, says Donna Cardillo, RN. Eat more of it when you have a cold, or try it raw with an orange-juice chaser.

Blueberries

Researchers from Cornell University found that blueberries contained the most antioxidants than any other fresh fruit tested, which should help beat your sniffles. Eat them alone when you have a cold, or sprinkle on a bowl of cereal or yogurt to add some vitamin D.

Tea

Tea is soothing when you're congested, especially a brew with natural expectorants like anise seeds. Health.com recommends the American Pharmaceutical Association's recipe: one cup of crushed anise seeds to one cup of hot water, flavored with sugar, garlic, cinnamon, or honey. Sip up to three times a day. If you don't like licorice flavor, try peppermint. University of Maryland Medical Center reported that peppermint tea acts as an expectorant, loosening mucus and breaking up coughs.

Fish

Health.com suggests eating oily fish, like salmon and tuna, when you have a cold, to take advantage of their omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds help reduce inflammation in the body, which can prevent your immune system from working properly.