Tea is a widely consumed beverage across the world. It is an integral part of everyday societal life.  Not only is tea a nature’s wonder herb, but a stimulant, too. Of late, this herb has been receiving a lot of attention from the media. Tea has existed since centuries in countries like China, Japan, India and Sri Lanka. Its potentiality in promoting health has received world-wide attention.People across the globe are turning to this ancient herb to re-discover its magical benefits. This herb contains protective, anti-oxidant and revitalizing properties. Today it is cultivated across the world especially in tropical and subtropical regions

Latin name – Camellia sinensis
Sanskrit Name – Shyamparni/Chaha

The degree of processing of this plant determines whether the tea would be green, black or red variety.

• Green Tea: It is the least processed amongst all the available varieties of teas. It is simply steamed quickly before packaging.
• Black Tea: It is partially dried, crushed and fermented.
• Red Tea: It is similar to the black tea wherein partial drying, crushing and fermentation processes are carried out.

But the most popular varieties as are:

a) Black Tea
b) Green Tea

The major constituents of tea that contributes in establishing its distinctive identity as a beverage include caffeine, Poly-phenols and essential oil, theanine (an amino acid unique to tea), vitamins, minerals, and methyl-xanthines. Pantothenic acid and riboflavin are active principles present in its leaves. Kaempferol and Quercetin are active principles present in the fresh leaves and green tea. It contains fluoride essential for strong teeth. and contains half the amount of caffeine found in an equally-sized cup of coffee. It is devoid of calories – which is Good News for Health Conscious individuals!!!

Recent research has depicted anti-oxidant properties (i.e. cancer fighting properties) in the herb-especially Green Tea. Extensive clinical research studies have been conducted to establish its efficacy.

Benefits of Drinking Herbal Tea:

• As a beverage and a stimulant
• Helps to fight against mutagenic agents i.e it contains anti-oxidant properties that prevents cancer.
• Helps to curb high blood pressure
• Prevents viral and bacterial infections in individuals
• Helps in delaying ageing process in individuals  
• Helps in improving and regulating the functions of the digestive and excretory systems.
• Helps to prevent occurrence of blood clots
• Helps in lowering cholesterol levels
• Helps in neutralization of enzymes that aid in the growth of tumors
• Helps to stimulate the immune system of an individual

Today, as part of this series, we present a recipe on how to prepare Herbal Tea from Chamomile herb which has been described below:

Chamomile Herbal Tea

Ingredients
1 ounce chamomile (Babunphool/Babuna)
2/3 ounce peppermint
1 ounce caraway seeds (Aniseed/Saunf)
2/3 ounce angelica (Babhool)

Use 1 teaspoon of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep this mixture 10 minutes and strain.

Caution:  Never give an infant or young child a medicinal tea with peppermint in it. The menthol in the peppermint could have a reverse reaction.

Uses:

• For Gastric complaints
• For digestive disorders
• As a beverage and stimulant
• As an energizer

Dr Sameer Sippy

Latin Name – Momordica charantia
Sanskrit Name – Karvellaka
English name – Bitter Gourd

Amongst the several home remedies that are used in controlling diabetes, one of the most important ingredients that are widely used is bitter gourd. Its active principle is called as plant-insulin possessing hypoglycaemic or insulin-like properties. Charantin another active principle helps in reducing the sugar levels of both-blood and urine.

Bitter gourd should be liberally included in the diet of the diabetic. For reducing high sugar levels in the diabetics and subsequently leading a healthy lifestyle, Momordica charantia (Karvellaka) should be used in the following ways:

• Consuming bitter gourd juice about four or five in number on an empty stomach every morning
• The seeds can be added to food in a powdered form
• Preparing a decoction by boiling the pieces of this fruit in water
• By drying the fruit totally under the sunlight, crushing it and consuming it in the form of dry powder. To consume this powder, lukewarm water is used as Anupana (vehicle)
• Having bitter gourd cooked in original cow’s ghee for a period of three months will bring the diabetes down by a significant amount
• It can be cooked, boiled, sautéed or baked and eaten as a vegetable.

Try out this mouth-watering Indian dish prepared with bitter gourd as a chief ingredient given below

BITTER GOURD FRY OR STUFFED KARELAS (Andhra Style)

Ingredients

10 bitter gourds, ½cup ground nut (peeled & crushed);
6 dry red chillies; salt to taste & for boiling;
1½ teaspoon sour curds
1 tsp lemon juice;
2 tsp cumin seeds;
5 garlic pods
3 to 4 tbsp oil to fry
1 pinch turmeric

Method: 

• After washing bitter gourds, slit them from both sides. Boil them 1½ teaspoon with sour curds adding with ½ sp salt, lemon juice & turmeric for 5 minutes.
• Allow to cool, strain water & keep aside.
• Grind onion. Red chillies, ground nuts, salt, coconut powder, garlic coarsely. Fry it in oil till it gets fine aromatic flavour. Remove from the oil and squeeze bitter gourds & remove extra water.  
• Stuff the spices in each bitter gourd evenly. Place all stuffed bitter gourds in the same oil and fry them on low heat to golden crispy brown.
• Turn bitter gourds gently without splitting the spices. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with plain rice.

Dr Sameer