Herbal & Medicinal Teas

"A person will get well only when he is tired of being sick"
                                                                                            Lao-Tzu (China - 4th century BCE).

Wonders of teas and decoctions.

Conditions in which herbal teas help.

What are the InformedLife teas?

What goes into InformedLife teas;

How are InformedLife teas prepared?

Brewing a good cup of tea

Types of teas.
      • Energy Tea
      • Tea for bedtime (to enable sleep)
      • Shoo Flu Tea
      • Tea for Upset stomach
      • Spiced (Masala) Tea
      • Tea for Diabetics :
             Any side effects?
      • Tea for Blood Pressure
      • Tea for slimming:
      • Energy Tea
      • Memory Tea
      • Calming Vata Tea
      • Soothing Pitta Tea
      • Vitalizing Kapha Tea
      • Vata, Pitta And Kapha Balancing Tea
      • Green tea is also known to prevent bad breath.
      • Masala flavoured Himalayan Green tea

Wonders of teas and decoctions.
Taste is vital to health and well being and Ayurveda recognises that tastes trigger specific physiological responses. A tea allows one to experience the "true taste of herbs". For example, bitter taste stimulates the taste buds to secrete saliva and gastric juices. This helps promote digestion. Although some of our teas may not have the "soda pop" taste of other drinks, experiencing the "true taste of herbs" enhances its medicinal action.
A nourishing cup of herbal tea can do wonders for the body and the mood.
Besides, one of the most commonly used delivery methods for medicines has been hot water as the process (making tea) gives the best extraction medium for medicine from the herbs.
So, Medicinal teas have a long history of use in Herbal Medicine systems worldwide.

An herbal combination helps bring a natural ‘balance’ whilst various elements interact. The uniqueness of the ‘helping’ hot drinks’ flavour also comes from the care they are processed with and best benefits come when the ‘Informed’ user is mentally prepared to be healed.

Conditions in which herbal teas help.
Most herbal teas are suitable for self care of minor and non-serious health conditions like;
    • Occasional constipation.
    • Occasional indigestion.
    • Mental and physical fatigue.
    • Nervous sleeplessness.
    • Conditions such as minor cough & cold, sore throat, etc.
Herbal teas can be taken as helping drinks and not in place of prescription medicines.

What are the InformedLife teas?
These are primarily mixtures of plants and plant extracts, taken as herbal infusions. Ayurveda identifies plants which release their medicinal properties into water.
Those with laxative, purgative, diuretic or carminative properties are now being used as teas. They bring relief from ailments and help general health and well-being.

What goes into InformedLife teas;
Tea (Camellia Sinensis); various types, chosen from brown, black or green.

Mint a well known aid to digestion, gives a perfect flavour for an after dinner drink.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) is a familiar kitchen spice and is known for its pungent anti-nausea properties. Ayurveda recommends it for mothers to be, those with morning sickness and digestion problems, common colds and headaches. Accordingly, it calms Vata and Kapha and boosts Pitta.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum syn. C. zeylanicum) is used for colds, flu and indigestion and when the source is the Himalayas, you can feel the ‘magic’ begin.

Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum) belongs to the ginger family and upholds the family ‘values’. It’s intense, pungent and yet sweet flavour helps prevent indigestion, flatulence, heartburn, belching due to gastric problems, etc. Ayurveda considers it good for balancing all three doshas and balancing Kapha in the stomach and the lungs.

Turmeric (cucurnicum) is one of the most common India Kitchen spices. There is enough scientific evidence that this all-round Ayurvedic spice’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help heal wounds, control Alzheimer’, detoxify the liver, fight allergies, improve the skin, etc.

Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllus) are considered to enhance circulation, digestion and metabolism. It helps counter stomach disorders such as gas, bloating and nausea.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is widely used in ayurvedic cooking, in desserts, vegetable dishes and to season rice. It is used for its royal colour and delicate aroma.

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum or black peppercorns ) is considered an important Ayurveda healing spice. It has cleansing and antioxidant properties, and enhances bioavailability - it helps transport the benefits of other herbs to the different parts of the body. It helps the free flow of oxygen to the brain, helps enhance digestion and circulation and stimulates the appetite.

Jasmine (Jasminum Grandiflorum) has more uses than as an ‘essence’ for which the commercial world uses it the most. For its relaxing and antidepressant quality our teas provide the calming feel that is necessary to relieve tension. Something that one can do with, before going to bed and first thing in the morning.

Fruit flavourings, such as:
Lemon (Citrus Limon) its high Vitamin C content makes it one of the most versatile gifts of nature and a source of remedies. Along with general use, while under colds and flu, it is also an excellent preventative ingredient for stomach infection, problems relating to fluid circulation within the body, etc. And yes of course, an excellent refreshing beverage.

‘Malta’ ( Citrus ) orange carries the flavours of the Alpine Himalayas. This special ingredient is excellent for relieving mental stress and physical fatigue.

What make herbal teas unique; ingredients, the proportions, preparation process and the care to give it right blend for desired benefits.

How are InformedLife teas prepared?
The time-honoured and tested traditional method is to use home made items. Almost all items (barring tea leaves) are used in India as food and dietary supplements. InformedLife brings their supplies from Mahatma Gandhi inspired ‘khadi’ micro units. Our packages display the combinations that help maintain general health and well being and those that can help in specific ailments.

Brewing a good cup of tea is very simple.
One way to prepare is by pouring boiling water over the ‘tea’ and steeping it in a covered cup for 10 minutes or so. The Asian ‘infusion’ method is boiling tea and water together.
For a sweet tea, the best method is to add some choice honey.
One has the freedom to innovate as the herbs and spices are benign.

Types of InformedLife teas.

Energy Tea
This tea formula is for those who feel exhausted during the day. This traditional formula is used to stimulate and help restore energy, something those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome can try. This tea provides nutrition to the body and helps lift fatigue.

Tea for bedtime; to enable sleep
This tea gives a soothing relaxing feel so necessary for a mind stressed by meeting day to day challenges. In combination, it contains herbs like valerian, spearmint, etc.

Shoo Flu Tea
This is an effective anti-viral, anti-bacterial formula for drawing out surplus toxins. The herbs have been traditionally used to check colds and the influenza virus. Using Shoo-Flu may help ease aches, coughs and fever s associated symptoms. It is best to be taken as a preventive measure at the first sign of illness.

Tea for Upset stomach
A great blend to have when your stomach just doesn't feel right because of something you ate or from the flu. The herbs help to ease queasiness and calm stomach pain.

Spiced (Masala) Tea
An original Indian drink, it is a blend of aromatic, exotic herbs and spices that is a superb drink for digestion. Based on grandmothers’ recipe, their authentic taste goes beyond the need of the ‘hour’. Masala Tea is a calculated mix from black tea, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, seeds of cardamom, coriander, anise, black peppercorns, Camellia sinensis, Long pepper, Tailed pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg, etc.
The traditional method is to steep the tea in a hot water and milk mixture - honey is added as a sweetener. Excellent, especially for any cold and wet day.

Tea for Diabetics
A gentle herbal tea- this preparation is probably one of the best synergistic blends of Gymnema Sylvestre and Tea to regulate blood sugar. Its efficacy lies in its bitterness Diab tea tends to reduce sugar craving and decrease sugar absorption in the intestine. Clinical studies suggest that Gymnema Sylvestre extracts improve the functioning of the pancreas. Improved pancreas performance results in an increased insulin release into the blood stream.

Any side effects?
Diabetic Tea is generally safe and has no known side effects. Those taking insulin are advised to consult their physician.
For pregnant and lactating ladies, any ill affects of DaibTea have not been reported.
The safety of Gymnema Sylvestre is also demonstrated by the fact that it has been safely and successfully used for more than 5000 years in traditional Indian Medicine. Ancient Ayurvedic Physicians observed that Gur-mar-booty (Gymnema Sylvestre) leaves suppress the effect of sugar (madhu) and prescribed the plant for diabetics as a sweetness defeater Madhu-Meha. The leaves are also used for stomach ailments, constipation, water retention and liver disease.
Diabetics can try a cup a day and monitor their blood sugar content. A positive effect from the tea is likely to appear in three months or so.

Tea for Blood Pressure
Regular intake of serpentine root (Sarpagandha or Rouvolfia Serpentina) tea helps reduce blood pressure. This tea can be taken twice a day or more.

Tea for slimming :
This tea with Garcinia Cambogia or Garcinia is highly effective for those doing physical exercise as it helps reduce excess cholesterol and tone up muscles. Ideal for sports persons.

Energy Tea
Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) used in this tea is known for strengthening body muscles. It also helps the mind and body adapt better to stress.

Memory Tea
The major ingredient here is Bacopa Monnieri (brahmi) which helps relieve mental fatigue, nervous debility and it can be taken by the whole family.

Calming Vata Tea
This tea has a full and sweet aroma even without adding sugar. It functions to calm and harmonize vata. Vata Tea is especially suited for times of demanding mental work, evenings, whilst travelling, etc.

Soothing Pitta Tea
This fine mixture of rose blossom petals and mild spices possesses pleasantly cooling and Pitta-soothing properties. Good for hot summer days and hot tempers!

Vitalizing Kapha Tea
Aromatic ingredients such as ginger, saffron and cardamom make this spicy tea a pick-me-up! Especially refreshing with lemon, it goes best with breakfast, damp and cold weather, or in springtime!

Vata, Pitta And Kapha
Balancing Ayurvedic Chai is formulated to benefit the Vata, Pitta and Kapha constitutions. Each flavoursome cup helps to harmonize mind, body and spirit. The fragrant blend combines herbs & spices and is especially useful for colds, cough, congestion, sore throat, constipation and headaches.

Green tea (known to prevent bad breath)
Try our cup of green tea, by adding a spoonful in half a cup of boiling water. Let it infuse for 10 minutes and then add another half cup. While you drink it, (with honey, if you like sweet things) try swirling the warmth around your mouth and slowly let it slide down the throat. The tea will reduce not only mouth odour but it will also save teeth from plaque-forming microbes.

Masala flavoured Himalayan Green tea
A warming and aromatic beverage, it is ideal for cold winter months.