Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Tea
Tea contains three stimulant chemicals-caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline-that help account for scme of its uses in herbal Healing.
Colds, Congestion, Asthma - All the stimulants in tea are bronchodilators that ease breathing by opening the bronchial passages, thus supporting its traditional use in respiratory problems. Physicians often prescribe pharmaceutical preparations of theophylline to treat asthma.
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Diarrhea - Tea contains astringent tannins, which help account for its binding action in diarrhea.
Tooth Decay - Tea is also a good source of fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay. Both green and black teas contain more fluoride than fluoridated water, according to a report published in the University of California, Berkeley, WeI/ness Letter. The tannins in tea also may help fight the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Radiation - Among the tannins in tea are substances called catechins that may help prevent tissue damage from radiation. One study shows tea helps keep radioactive strontium 90 out of bone marrow. This means it may help prevent cancer in people who have been exposed to nuclear fallout and some experiments show tea helps prevent leukemia in animats exposed to radiation.
Intriguing Possibility - Coffee may raise cholesterol, but an animal study published in the Journal of Nutrition Science shows tea may [ower it The herb may have a similar effect in people.
Tannins have some antiviral action, and Chinese reports claim tea helps treat hepatatis. Hepatitis is a serious disease that requires professional care, but during convalescence, tea does no harm, and it might do some good.
Rx for Tea
For a pleasantly bitter infusion that may prevent tooth decay, help ease breathing, or help treat diarrhea, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day.
Weak tea preparations may be given cautiously to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.