THE MEDICINAL VALUE OF TEA

When one season changes into another our bodies become more suscepticble to colds, coughs and allergies. Lets look at some tonics that can he made from easily available natural herbs that help in maintaining the balance in our energy body vis a vis the physical self, in the form of teas. These teas are not to be confused with medicines and neither are medicines to be discontinued while having these teas. It is advisable to have your constitution evaluated when you choose to follow an ayurvedic treatment for your problem. These teas are not a treatment if had in isolation but they definitely are very effective preventives and complement all forms of treatments and medical advice. A very effective tea for respiratory allergies that Dhyan Foundation practitioners use is a mixture of herbs found in our kitchens. Take 250 gms of green tea leaves, 50 gms Banapsha, 25 gms Mulethi (licorice), 12.5 gms Black pepper, 12.5 gms Cinnamon, 25 gms green tulsi leaves, 12.5 gms saunth (dry ginger powder). Mix all of the above in a copper or earthen utensil ensuring that there is no concentration of a specific herb in one part ie the mixture should be well mixed and an even distribution is essential. Store this in a glass jar, take one teaspoon of this mixture in a ceramic or glass cup and pour boiling hot water on it. Keep this covered for five minutes then sip it without sugar or milk. This mixture remains effective for sixty days. Thyme tea: This is also a very effective immunity booster especially for viral, fungal and bacterial infections and can be had at any time of the day. Take eight to ten leaves of fresh thyme plant and steep as given above, no additives are to be added. You can use the dry herb also but then the quantity should be doubled. If there is an aggravation of the Kapha dosha with symptoms of lots of mucous then take half teaspoon of ginger powder, 1/4 teaspoon clove powder, 1/2 teaspoon of powdered cardamom seeds and a pinch of cinnamon. To this mixture add a cup of boiling hot water. Cover and filter after five minutes. You can sweeten this with honey or misri and drink it three to four times a day.