Regardless of the history that gave rise to the use of tea as a remedy for certain physical and emotional ailments, most of us have no doubt experienced some form of relief from a cup of hot tea. The use of medicinal plants is millenary and in the year 783 B.C. it was inducted into the book The Classical Art of Tea, written by the philosopher Lu Yu. Since then, tea has traveled with safe passage through Asia and Europe until it arrived in North America via the English colonists in 1650.
We all have in our fondest memories the sensation of being embraced by this smooth liquid in order to relieve a stomach ache, a sore throat, or to help us fall asleep. Our mothers and grandmothers have often been the ones in charge of dispensing these traditional remedies and, with them, the knowledge about their preparation and scope.
Medicinal teas and their benefits
So here, we have dedicated a few lines to recount some medicinal teas and their benefits:
- Anise – acts as an expectorant and helps strengthen the immune system.
- Cinnamon – has anti-inflammatory properties and regulates blood glucose levels. My grandmother used to serve it with milk to keep out the cold on rainy days.
- Ginger – one of the most frequently used to improve all kinds of digestive problems.
- Valerian – helps to fall asleep; a gentle, natural option before resorting to benzodiazepines.
- Lime blossom – this flower counteracts nerves and stress.
- Jamaica – its diuretic effect makes it ideal for people with high blood pressure.
- Chamomile – the most common tea to settle stomach problems. It also has antibacterial and antifungal effects.
- Rosemary – promotes circulation and stimulates mental activity.
And the list goes on and on… and if you really want to go on, visit the many tea houses that exist in Mexico City. Just click here.
