Herbal Teas

STAR POWER: Herbal teas are actu¬ally called infusions (tea comes from a specific shrub) and are the most popu¬lar way of consuming aromatic herbs and flowers. Herb teas or infusions can have a mix of healing ingredients like jasmine flower (eliminates, water reten¬tion), chamomile flower (sleep inducer) or digestive infusions with various spices and herbs. The entire benefit of the herb or spice is passed on to the in¬fusion. Benefits, range from eliminating water retention, inducing sleep, remov¬ing gas, miming the stomach, controlling loose motions, providing antioxi¬dants, to fighting cancer and more.

PRACTICAL CONSUMPTION: For cough and cold, boil tulsi, ginger and two whole black peppercorns, sweeten with honey, and drink. As a pick-me-up, boil a few leaves of green tea with a pinch of ground cinnamon, ginger and one small elaichi (car¬damom) till the colour is golden.

PRECAUTIONS: Too much tea leads to intestinal dryness.