February 18th, 2009
Chamomile tea is a pale herbal tea having sweet delicate flavor and is popular for its soothing properties. The modern day uses of chamomile vary from those in the ancient times.
Today people resort to drinking a cup of tea to help them sleep better. Certain herbal experts are of the opinion that the tea can prevent the instances of insomnia and nightmares.
Chamomile tea is not the original tea because it is not manufactured from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis. It is simply an herbal brew made by pouring steaming hot water on top of the fresh or dried flower tops of the Chamomile plant. You need to let it steep for nearly 5 minutes and should be generally consumed with honey to enhance the calming effects.
Besides helping you sleep, the tea has some other medicinal uses:
Cooled tea bags can be used as a compress to treat skin irritations, burns and inflammation
Relief from mouth and gum pain by gargling the drink
Adding many cups to the bath water leads to relaxation
Puffiness and eye strain can be reduced by keeping cooled teabags on the eyes
Inhaling the fragrance of dried or fresh chamomile flower tops soothes the nerves
Eases stomach cramps and digestive tissues by drinking a cup
Blending the tea with the powdered milk acts as an exfoliating paste for sensitive skin
Applying a small quantity of liquor to fungal infections to ease the symptoms
Before using the tea for medical purposes, consult your doctor. Though it is safe, if you are allergic to pollen, ragweed and associated plants there might be adverse reaction from drinking.
Chamomile tea is sold in grocery stores, specialty food shops and health food retailers. The global consumption of this tea is nearly 1 million cups, indicating the growing popularity of the tea for pleasure and medical uses.
Tags: Chamomile, Chamomile Tea
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February 18th, 2009
Brewed tea is the national soft drink of Turkey and its consumption if much more than coffee or any other drinks. The large tea plantations on the Black Sea coast are the largest suppliers of the tea in the country.
The most widely consumed types of teas are strong black tea and Turkish apple tea. There are many tea houses, street vendors, tea gardens and retailers who supply the tea all throughout the day.
Out of all the types of brews that are in demand in Turkey, Turkish apple tea or Elma Çay is the most popular one. Besides Turkey, its popularity is growing worldwide. You can drink it in winter to warm you up and in summer with ice to quench your thirst.
This tea is manufactured from the premium quality black tea, to which apple flavor and spices are added to get the requisite taste. Some apple tea blends contain blackberry leaves, hibiscus, pineapple and/or lemon that give an excellent fruity flavor and can be drunk either hot or cold.
Traditional Turkish tea is brewed in samovar style. There is a tiny pot of very strong tea that is kept above a big vessel of boiling water. The tea is then poured into clear curved glass cups and then hot water is added to dilute the tea to the extent you want depending on your taste. Then cubed sugars are added to make the drink sweet.
Some homes in Turkey keep on boiling a pot of tea throughout the day and add fresh, hot water to the leaves before serving. The knowledge of brewing the tea is an important part of the home life there so that each woman ensures her prospective daughter-in-law knows the technique of brewing the tea properly.
Tags: Turkish Apple, Turkish Apple Tea
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