Dr Stuart's Teas
Herb Information
Spearmint - Mentha Spicata
In ancient times, mint was thought to symbolize wisdom and eternal refreshment. Mint was mentioned as a soother for stomach aches in the Eber's Papyrus - the worlds oldest medical treatise. Throughout the middle Ages, spearmint was used to treat indigestion. In North America, the Indians used various native mints to treat colds and congestion. In ancient times men chewed on sprigs of Spearmint after eating to aid digestion.
Peppermint - Mentha piperita
Peppermint plants sprouted in English Peppermint fields hundreds of years ago and is probably now the most popular mint. Its properties are similar to Spearmint and in the early 1880's Menthol which is the active ingredient in mint, was distilled from Peppermint oil and used as a chest rub for congestion.
Chamomile - Matricaria Recutita
In ancient times, the Egyptians dedicated Chamomile to their sun gods and valued it over other herbs because of its healing qualities.
Chamomile is the most widely used herb in the western world for
relaxation and is known for its calming effect and is a popular remedy
for nervous stomach and other
common problems related to stress.*
Fennel - Foeniculum Vulgare
Fennel was well known to the Ancients and was cultivated by the ancient Romans for its aromatic fruits and succulent, edible shoots, it is said that the Greeks chewed the small fruits of the Fennel to suppress their hunger during fasts.
William Coles, in Nature's Paradise (1650) affirms that - 'both the seeds, leaves and root of our Garden Fennel are much used in drinks and broths for those that are grown fat, to abate their unwieldiness and cause them to grow more gaunt and lank.'
Valerian - Valeriana officinalis
Valerian is one of the best gentle herbal sleeping remedies, it enhances the natural body process of slipping into sleep and making the stresses of the day recede.
This highly variable perennial originated in eastern Europe. There are recorded uses of valerian coming from the early Greeks in the first century.
Ginseng - Panax ginseng
Ginseng has been used medicinally in Asia for more than 5,000 years. In China, ginseng has been treasured since the dawn of written time. Modern scientific research has shown its antioxidant activity and contributions to overall health and energy.
Senna - Cassia angustifolia
Senna was first used by Arabian physicians in 9th century, it is well know for its effectiveness in cases of constipation.
Green Tea
Green tea has been used for thousands of years in Asia both as a beverage and herbal medicine. Green tea leaves are less processed than black tea and contain rich sources of antioxidants which protect the bodys cells from damage & fight disease. Recent studies suggests that Green Tea may help reduce the incidence of various cancers. **
Green Tea has been shown to be beneficial in weight loss by increasing the bodys ability to break down fat as well as increasing energy expenditure by the body (thermogenesis) which also promotes the burning of fat in the body. ***
* Avallone, et.al 2000
** Steele VE. Comparative chemopreventative mechanisms of green tea, black tea, and selected polyphenol extracts measured by in vitro bioassays, Carcinogenesis 2000:21(1):63-67
*** Dulloo AG, et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenois and caffeine in increasing 24 h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1999 Dec;70(6):1040-5