Green Herbal Tea

Green herbal tea has a number of healing substances that provide therapeutic properties needed by the body. The main substances found in green herbal tea include powerful antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols which guards against cell damage. The leaf of green tea contains a major antioxidant which is called EGCG or epigallocatechin-gallate. Aside from that green herbal tea also contain fluoride, catechins and tannins.

The leaves of Camellia sinensis are steamed, rolled and dried for use as green tea. Black and oolong teas come from the same plant but are prepared differently with the use of fermentation process. Products that are called gunpowder tea are also green herbal tea. The pellets which are imported from China are tightly compressed green tea leaves that unfold when steeped.

Recent research studies suggest that if green herbal tea is consumed on a regular basis, your body might be able to prevent various types of cancer, prevent heart disease by reducing cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure, stop tooth decay and heal gum infections and many other health benefits. All the body needs is just about 10 ounces of green herbal tea to be able to increase antioxidants for at least two hours. Due to the green herbal tea’s astringent tannin compounds, it could alleviate indigestion, diarrhea and other forms of stomach upset. It also aids in burning of fat calories in people who are overweight according to a Swiss research study.

Green herbal tea is sold in various formulations: tablet, powder, liquid, dried herb/tea and capsule. Green herbal tea capsules which contain about 50% to 90% polyphenols are found to be more potent as an antioxidant than a cup of green herbal tea which only contains 8% to 12% polyphenols. For purposes of preventing of cancer, anti-aging and arthritis, the body needs to consume 3 or 4 cups of green tea a day. The side effects from green herbal tea are due to its caffeine content. Fortunately, most green tea supplements have very little caffeine only about 5 to 6 mg in two 250 mg pills. But a brewed cup of green herbal tea could contain 40 mg caffeine. Excessive amounts of the brewed tea could lead to irritability, sleeplessness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache or loss of appetite. Brewing green herbal tea with boiling water may destroy the therapeutic compounds in the tea. There are no known drugs or nutrients interactions associated with green herbal tea.

Gugulipid

An ancient herb, guglipid is derived from the resin resembling a gum from the mukul myrrh tree. It dates back to thousands of years ago and has been used in India’s traditional Ayuverda medicine.

The Mukul Tree

The mukul tree, or Commiphora mukul, the plant from which gugulipid is extracted, is a small, thorny plant that grows throughout northern India. It produces a gum-like resin called guggul. Sometimes, guggul is also referred to as guggul gum, guggal, gugglesterone, guggulu, and gum gugal.

The gugulipid tree is closely related to the Commiphora mukul tree or common myrrh, which was used as one of the first medicines. There were even hieroglyphic notations of its use during the ancient Eqyptian times. With such a close relation, many scientists believe that gugulipid may have many of the same properties as myrrh as even their ancient status is similar.

Health Benefits

In the 1960s, researchers in India discovered an ancient Sanskrit medical text, Sushruta Samhita. This classical book of medicine described the prescription of gugulipid for the treatment of medoroga, a disease that closely resembles symptoms of high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries. To test this ancient theory, Indian scientists used gugulipid on animals. They later found that gugulipid both lowered cholesterol levels and protected against the development of hardening of the arteries.

A culminating study was subsequently conducted, examining the effectiveness of gugulipid on humans. Although of its potency are still quite preliminary, the Indian government was impressed enough to approve it as a treatment for high cholesterol.

In the Sushruta Samhita, gugulipid was also suggested for fat loss and the relief of arthritis. Some recent studies have noted benefits for these conditions, as well as acne and several other conditions. In the ancient times, the people used gugulipid in a crude, powdered form. Today, gugulipid is available as a supplement in a more refined form.

Additionally, guglipid was used as early as 600 B.C. as treatment for people who suffer from a condition associated with regular overindulgence in rich foods and sedate lifestyle – a condition we now call as atherosclerosis. Present scientists have researched the benefits of gugulipid on atherosclerosis and they were able to find that the refined resin of the mukul tree inhibits formation of plaque that hardens arteries. Furthermore, active ingredients in gugulipid called guggulsterones can encourage levels of fat in the body to drop. This in turn lowers the risk of heart disease.

Buying Information

Before you go out and buy yourself a gugulipid supplement, be sure to consult your doctor first. If you have liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or diarrhea, there’s a good chance that your doctor may advice you against taking the supplement. Pregnant women should also not take it.

During product selection, look for one that is clearly marked as a gugulipid supplement and not guggul or guggulu. The latter products are crude, unrefined forms of the resin and may contain toxic compounds, which in turn may cause loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, and rashes. Gugulipid on the other hand has been refined and contains only the active ingredients without the toxins.

Ginger

Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, is a small herbaceous plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. The plant is said to originate from India and China. The name of this plant comes from the Sanskrit word “stringa-vera” which means “with a body like a horn.” This indeed is an accurate description of the most apparent part of the plant – the rhizome.

Ginger – Its Role in History

For many centuries, ginger plays a vital role in Chinese medicine. In fact, it is close in rank to Camellia sinensis or green tea, ginseng, and Dong Quai or Angelica. Ginger is even mentioned in one of the writings of Confucius. Likewise, the Moslem Koran makes ample mention of it, indicating that it was known in Arab countries as far back as 650 A.C.

Ginger was one of the earliest spices known in Western Europe and it was used since the ninth century. The herb became so popular in Europe that at one time, it was included in every table setting, joining the ranks of salt and pepper. As common article in medieval and renaissance trade, ginger was one of the spices used to battle against the Plague.

In nineteenth century England, barkeepers of pubs and taverns put out small containers of ground ginger which costumers will then use to sprinkle into their beer – the origin of ginger ale. And in order to “gee up” a lazy horse, Sussex farmers apply a pinch of ginger to the animal’s backside, a truly time-honored practice.

The Plant

Ginger is often mistaken for a “root”, hence the term “ginger root.” Actually, that golden part of the plant is a rhizome. The plant is indigenous to southern China. When the Chinese commenced trade with people from neighboring islands, they brought the plant with them. Thus, the cultivation of ginger spread to the Spice Islands and other parts of Asia, and subsequently to West Africa and to the Caribbean. Today, India is the main producer and exporter of this hot-tasting spice.

Extracts of ginger are used in foods, condiments, baked confections, candies, beverages, cosmetics, and perfumes. And it is common to products containing this plant in many supermarkets for use in food preparation or as an herbal medicine. In China, a type of ginger is produced that is particularly suited for confectionery. Japanese ginger lacks the typical aroma. Pickled ginger called gari or sushoga is always used as a condiment for sushi. In general, products made from this plant vary considerably in taste, pungency, and smell.

Medicinal Properties

Ginger contains many substances that are indicative of its medicinal value. It contains compounds, called phenolic compounds and sesquiterpenes. Gingerols and shogaols are examples of phenolic compounds. These two are the main chemicals that give ginger that pungent flavor without being volatile. The results of recent studies have suggested the plant is valuable as an anti-emetic, which means that it could stop such ailments as nausea and vomiting. Concering the use of this plant to stop nausea associated with pregnancy, more scientific evidence is needed.

The many antioxidants found in ginger are said to help prevent cancer and many other ailments. Antioxidants are the compounds that keep harmful substances such as free radicals from passing through cell membranes. The free radicals are the main culprit in illnesses and diseases.

GABA

What is GABA? If you’re into bodybuilding, then you’ve probably heard of the term in passing.

GABA stands for gamma-animobutyric acid. It is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain; it is also the most numerous. It is a form of amino acid classified as a neurotransmitter, a chemical that fosters communication between one nerve cell and another. As an amino acid, It helps induce sleep and relaxation. It helps maintain the balance in the brain between excitation and inhibition. The effects of GABA on the brain have led to its popular title as the body’s natural tranquilizer.

Normally, the brain produces all the GABA that we need. Unfortunately, the substance pumped out by the brain may become depleted due to a number of reasons, including poor diet, exposure to environmental toxins, or other factors. Having too little of this vital compound may lead to anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. Studies have shown a link between GABA deficiency and depression.

In addition to its “balancing” effects, it contributes to the stimulation pituitary gland. By acting on the anterior pituitary, it could lead to higher levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). HGH is anabolic, meaning it contributes to muscle building. HGH is also lipotropic or fat-preventing. So with regards to this, it therefore indirectly enhances these two positive effects.

Aside from muscle growth and fat prevention, HGH is also shown to have anti-aging effects. This means that by taking GABA, you are actually decreasing your age. Higher levels of HGH lead to less body fat and also better lean tissue-stored fat ratio. So no wonder bodybuilders use GABA to help enhance their muscles.

Issue on Tranquilizers

Various safety issues have been raised concerning the use of the herb kava as a tranquilizer. Apparently, it seems that kava has a few adverse effects on the human body, leading many physicians to recommend GABA as a more appealing choice. Basically, GABA and kava appears to have the same clinical effects. They’re both gentle and non-sedating tranquilizers.

Other Health Benefits

Because of its tranquilizing effect, GABA supplements have been used by many to promote relaxation and sleep. They may also play an important role in preventing seizures and allaying chronic pain. Several experts have been looking into GABA as a supplement to use in bodybuilding. Apparently, it can improve exercise tolerance, decrease body fat, and stabilizing blood pressure.

New researches on GABA lead to the proposal that the supplement may improve concentration in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also said to promote prostate health, although that hypothesis still remains to be tested thoroughly.

General Interaction

Using GABA with prescription anti-anxiety agents may produce dangerous additive effects. This is because many of these medications, including alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) directly target GABA receptors in the brain. To avoid any side effects, always inform your doctor if you’re taking GABA or any other supplements.

GABA has a tranquilizing effect so don’t be surprised if you feel a little drowsy. However, to avoid excessive drowsiness, don’t take it with other tranquilizing medications, such as codeine and other narcotic pain relievers, antidepressants, sedatives, and muscle relaxants. If you must use any of these drugs with GABA, combine with caution or consult your doctor first.

Garlic

Who says only vampires and werewolves are afraid of garlic? Once you learn the benefits associated with this bulbous plant, you’ll find that it’s not only Buffy or Dr. Helsing who has a use for it.

Garlic Myths and Facts

There are a lot of things we don’t know about this common kitchen spice. For one, did you know that one clove of garlic is ten times stronger pushed through a garlic press than one clove of minced fine with sharp knife? And did you also know that Pliny, the famous Roman historian, has listed no less than sixty-one medicinal uses for garlic? Here are a few:

- Vampires flee from it.

- Will cure a cold.

- Will cure warts.

- Will stop fainting spells.

- Improves circulation.

- Wards off the evil eye.

- Will grow hair.

- A restorative for failing masculine powers.

- Alleviates high blood pressure.

I don’t know about the vampire bit, however science has shown that the rest hold some truth in them.

Over the ages, garlic and its many uses is something that people have pondered upon. Ancient Egyptians prayed to Garlic, worshipping it as a god because they believe that it provides a cure for everything and predict fertility. Greeks, Olympic athletes especially, used it to improve their stamina and strength. Ancient Indians also believed that the herb can take human souls. That even beats the vampire-garlic myth!

Yet despite the folklore and myth that hovered around garlic, time has tested the medicinal value of the herb and up to today, it continues to enjoy popularity, not only among gourmet cooks but among herbalists as well. Folk cures with garlic have been used to battle everything from insomnia to seizures. And in more recent studies, it has been shown that the herb can reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. It has been well established as an agent that reduces blood lipids like cholesterol and tri-glycerides in the blood.

Medicinal Benefits and Uses

The health benefits and medicinal properties of garlic have long been known. In fact, it has been called over the years as an herbal “wonder drug.” It has a reputation for preventing everything from the common cold and flue to the Plague.

In herbal medicine, garlic also plays a vital role and it has been used extensively in the scientific field of phytotherapy or phitotherapy. Skin conditions such as acne can be treated using pounded raw garlic. There is also some evidence that the herb can assist in managing high cholesterol levels. Because of its strong odor, it can also be effective as a natural mosquito repellent.

Supplements

Eating lots of garlic isn’t always practical or socially desirable. Some people don’t even like its taste. So for these reasons, garlic supplements were created. Supplements come in various forms, such as capsules, powders, or tablets. Now, the queston is: Do they work? For some, it does. For others, supplements don’t place as well as cloves. So the answer is “it depends.”

Garlic supplements vary greatly. The main compound that makes garlic such a potent health supplement is Allicin. This compound very unstable and is not present in natural garlic. However, when the clove is crushed, the action causes the release of allicin. When you buy garlic supplements, make sure that you check the label for the amount of allicin. Check closely. Sometimes the label will say “alliin” instead of “allicin.” Alliin is a precursor compound to allicin but its conversion is extremely variable. On its own, alliin is of little value.

Ginkgo Biloba

Nicknamed as a “living fossil”, the Ginkgo biloba is a unique tree that remains unchanged through the passage of time. It has been in existence since the time of the dinosaurs and therefore considered as the sole living link between the lower and higher plants. The Chinese, and later the Japanese, who called it Ginkyo, meaning “silver apricot” referred to it as a symbol of longevity because of its history.

The Plant

The Ginkgo biloba is classified under gymnosperms (meaning “naked seeds”) for its seeds are not enclosed in a ripened fruit but are protected only by a fleshy seed coat. The Ginkgo biloba is distinguished from other gymnosperms by its fan-shaped foliages. Its leaves are bi-lobed, hence the name “biloba.”

A Ginkgo biloba tree can grow up to about 30 or 40 meters (100 ft.) in height and spread its foliage across 9 meters of space. The trunk can be as wide as 4 meters (13 ft.) in diameter and in open areas, can even become wider than that. The girth of Ginkgo bilobas that grow in temple grounds are about 10 meters in diameter.

The Ginkgo biloba has branches that may be long or short growing at nearly right angles. Because of the highly variable branches of the Ginkgo, older trees are usually irregular in form. The buds of are mounded with distinct form and leaf scars. The short leaf shoots clustered near the tip of the branch produce the seeds and the pollen.

The leaves of the Ginkgo biloba are its most recognizable feature. They are 5-8 cm wide and sometimes even twice as broad as that. They also resemble the leafshape of a Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), hence it is often referred to as the “Maidenhair tree.” During fall, the leaves turn a brilliant gold making the people in the olden times think it precious; so much so that they called it “tree of forty gold crowns” for that was how much it cost in former times.

Health Benefits

In the last three decades, the Ginkgo biloba has been proven to prevent many problems and ailments throughout the entire body. It is gaining recognition as a brain tonic, enhancing the memory as it positively affects the vascular system, especially the cerebellum. Ginkgo biloba is also used as treatment for vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a variety of neurological disorders and circulation problems. Because of its strangely soothing effects on the neurological aspects of the body, it is also believed to help counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy.

The Ginkgo biloba has the ability to increase blood flow to the brain and throughout the body’s network of blood vessels. These vessels are very important since they supply the blood and oxygen to the organs. Because of this ability of the Ginkgo biloba tree, it promotes increased metabolic rate, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain.

Preparation Tips

Ginkgo biloba was used in the ancient times as a water-based herb so it may be effective as a tea. However, some studies have suggested that Ginkgo biloba doesn’t break down in water. Fortunately, the herb is available in capsules, tinctures, or powdered form. As a tea, it blends well with sage, rosemary, and Gotu kola.

Gotu Kola: Centella asiatica

Gotu kola bears the scientific name, Centella asiatica. The name itself should give you an idea as to where it is found. Gotu kola is a slender plant that commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa, and the tropics. The Gotu kola plant likes moist areas, thus it creeps across the swampy areas and moist, watery regions. The leaves of the Gotu kola plant are shaped like a fan. They are small, about the size of an old British penny. For this reason, it is commonly known as Indian pennywort, marsh penny, and water pennywort.

Folk Remedy

The Gotu kola is regarded as one of the most spiritual and rejuvenating herbs. It plays a significant part in Ayuverda medicine as an herb to improve meditation. The reason for its being revered as an almost sacred plant by the Indians is that it is said to develop the crown charka which is the energy center of the head. Gotu kola is said to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, a property attributed to the leaf’s resemblance to this vital organ of the body.

For thousands of years, Gotu kola has been widely used for a number of conditions. It was used particularly in traditional Eastern health care as a folk remedy for all sorts of diseases and disorders. Ayuverda delegates the Gotu kola as one of the main herbs that helps revitalize the nerves and the brain cells. Gotu kola is believed to boost the immune system and fortify it against infection and other diseases. By cleansing and feeding the adrenals, the herb is supposed to strengthen this organ’s function.

In China and Indonesia, the Gotu kola plant is a stuff of legends. According to olden stories, a Chinese herbalist used the plant and consequently lived for more than 200 years. For this reason, it has been dubbed as one of the “miracle elixirs of life.” Extracts made from Gotu kola leaves were used to heal wounds. Ancient herbalists also believed that the herb can improve mental clarity and treat skin conditions such as leprosy and psoriasis.

Historically, Gotu kola was used to treat syphilis, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, mental fatigue, epilepsy, diarrhea, fever, and asthma. Although the foundations of some claims seem vague, today’s scientific community has confirmed the plant’s many uses.

The Science

Stress causes a lot of complications in the body. People with stress-related disorders like anxiety and panic attacks are believed to have an overactive startle response. Researchers and scientists theorize that triterpene acids in Gotu kola have a soothing effect to the nervous system. According to studies, these compounds bind to receptors in your central nervous system and reduce your startle response.

Gotu kola has a strengthening effect on the collagen lining of your vein walls. Due to this, circulation is enhanced and inflammation may be reduced, making it also an effective treatment to varicose veins.

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2000, 40 healthy adults were given either a very high one-time dose of 12 g of Gotu kola or a placebo. Scientists then measured the subjects’ startle responses using loud bursts of noise. Sixty minutes later, the group who were given gotu kola displayed less than half the startle response of the control group.

There are studies conducted on the benefits of this plant but so far, the only controlled one is the clinical trial mentioned above.