Papaya, or papain, is a sweet fruit that grows native to the American tropics. A 2010 study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found papaya leaf to be potentially beneficial in the treatment of various diseases ranging from allergic...
Guava trees, Psidium guajava Linnaeus, grow throughout Brazil and Mexico. Although they are known in the U.S. primarily for their fruit, guava leaves have a history of use by indigenous people for traditional medicines. Guava leaves are a rich...
Questions over the proper way to brew tea can fuel contentious debate. Tea bags or loose-leaf, there is no shortage of arguments and adamant supporters on both sides. When it comes to whether a tea bag should be left in the cup or removed while...
Many people are drinking tea more often because of the antioxidant properties tea maintains. However, tea leaves also contain tannins, defensive compounds found in plants. Tannins give off an astringent taste, drying the mouth out and making the...
The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, has been in use since at least the 10th century in China, primarily as an herbal beverage. In fact, it is now the most popular beverage worldwide after water. Tea comes in three primary forms: green or...
Green tea is a beverage that can be consumed hot or cold. Studies published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and others have linked green tea consumption with a variety of health...
Sipping a cup of green tea is pleasurable and we all know it has many health benefits. But you can use green tea leaves for many other reasons besides drinking tea. It can be applied to the skin or the eyes. You can use it for fresh breath or even...
Green tea leaves have long been valued in Asia for their medicinal properties. The potency of their properties depends largely upon the time of harvest, geographical location as well as the method of processing. The medicinal benefits of green tea...
A nice cup of tea can be the perfect thing after a long day at work, or a good way to start the day. In either case, tea is best when it is fresh. There is no substitute for purchasing tea leaves and preparing them when you are ready. However, as...
Black, green, oolong and white teas are derived from the Carnellia sinensis plant, and these beverages have been consumed for their taste and medicinal benefits for thousands of years. While the use of tea leaves to treat health ailments is rich...
Red raspberry leaf is the jack-of-all-trades of pregnancy herbs. You'll probably find it in most of the grocery store tea blends with the word "pregnancy" on the label. A small handful of clinical studies and the personal experiences of...
Tea leaves have historically been looked to for their potential health benefits. Modern research has determined that the primary scientific explanation for the medical benefits of tea leaves lies in their antioxidant properties. Tea leaves contain...
Coffee and tea are popular drinks in the United States and many other countries. Many people find this daily source of caffeine a difficult habit to break. If you're on a diet, you may not have to give up your coffee or tea, as coffee beans and...
Green tea from the plant Camellia sinesis has many health benefits. Tea is a very common beverage in the United States and green tea may improve your health. It has been drunk in Eastern countries such as Thailand, China, India and Japan for...
Coffee and tea are popular beverages worldwide. An estimated 50 percent of Americans drink coffee daily, and the cultural practice of drinking tea, firmly entrenched in Asian culture, is slowly infiltrating American life because of its...
Plant substances play a large part in the formulation and use of many traditional Chinese medicines. One of these plants, ginseng, provides ingredients that may provide useful benefits in Western and Eastern treatments. While most teas contain...
Senna, an herbal stimulant laxative, is commonly used as a short-term treatment for constipation. Teas made from this harsh laxative enable bowel movements by irritating the lining of the colon, according to the University of Maryland Medical...
Chasteberry leaves come from chastetree or Vitex agnus-castus. This medicinal plant is a deciduous shrub native to Mediterranean, European and Central Asian countries. Vitex has purplish-black berries and fingerlike leaves, both of which are used...
Green tea may help to prevent certain chronic diseases and may promote weight loss, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although further research is required, preliminary studies indicate that green tea's antioxidants help to...
Green tea is available in bagged and leaf form. The bagged versions are more commonly available in grocery stores, whereas the leaf versions typically need to be ordered through a company's website or purchased at a specialty retailer. There are...
The world of alternative and natural treatment has been around for thousands of years. Even the Neolithic iceman who was found in the Alps had ancient herbal remedies in his belt pouch. These kinds of leaves are still used in modern times to treat...
Like black, white and green teas, oolong tea is made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis or tea plant. Oolong tea is partially oxidized before the leaves are dried, and is said to combine the best qualities of both black and green teas....
Stinging nettle is a plant that has been used for hundreds of years to treat a range of physical ailments, including eczema--a dry, itchy rash that can be very persistent. The leaves and stem of the plant are covered with tiny hairs that release...
It is not unusual to find caffeine in your favorite soft drinks, chocolate snacks, coffees and teas. The effects of caffeine can increase your alertness and temporarily alter your metabolism. While a small amount of caffeine in the diet is OK for...
Though you woke up ready to tackle the world today, your eyes say otherwise. Dark circles under your eyes portray a look of exhaustion that's noticeable to those around you. Dark circles stem from a poor night's sleep or dehydration, and can even...
When you are feeling out of sorts, there's nothing like a hot and soothing cup of tea. Tea's benefits are more than mental, especially if you turn to dandelion tea. Dandelion tea will help you eliminate excess fluid from your body. While dandelion...
When deciding whether to buy black tea or green tea or selecting the particular brand to purchase, there are many variables that can affect the quality of the product you choose. Depending on how the tea leaves are grown, manufactured or brewed,...
Tea is made from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant and contains phytochemicals -- chemicals in plants that have beneficial effects on your body. Green tea is made from dried but unfermented leaves while black tea is made from...
Peppermint is a perennial herb and common flavor additive. The oil and the leaves of the plant are also ingredients in some medicinal remedies. If you have a stomach ache, a cup of homemade peppermint tea may relieve your symptoms. The University...
Learn how to make a healing, relaxing facial toner with expert homemade skin care tips in this free beauty video clip.
