Literally, red bush tea, rooibos tea is a popular drink that originated in South Africa. The tea is made by fermenting the leaves of a plant called Aspalathus linearis, which is what gives it the red hue. The unfermented green tea has more antioxidants and is more expensive. Mandarin rooibos is a flavored version ofContinue reading “Mandarin Rooibos”
Tag Archives: heart health
Vidanga
The black pepper-like fruits of vidanga (Embelia ribes) help your body better respond to leptin, the satiety hormone. The result is better portion control. Embelin in the herb also protects heart tissue from free radicals by supplying and activating antioxidants. By increasing the efficiency of a nerve-calming chemical called GABA, Vidanga can also make youContinue reading “Vidanga”
Psyllium
Psyllium, the husk of the seed of the Plantago ovata plant is a rich source of fiber. It’s rich in carbs like xylose, arabinose, uronic acids, glucose, etc. Psyllium is known for its benefits for the digestive system, especially as a gentle laxative. The unfermentable and semi-fermentable fibers in psyllium attract water in the largeContinue reading “Psyllium”
Nutmeg
The warm, rich, and spicy flavor of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) can boost your appetite. But that’s not all. It also helps boost your mood by interacting with two nerve networks, the serotonergic and the dopaminergic system, and your memory by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine. It reduces the bad LDL cholesterol and fights the reactiveContinue reading “Nutmeg”
Maté (Yerba Maté)
Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) is the herb that’s used to make the popular and energizing maté tea. It reduces the expression of genes that help in the formation of fat cells. It also decreases two appetite-boosting proteins called SOCS3 and neuropeptide Y, helping you in portion control. It helps reduce LDL cholesterol, keeping the heartContinue reading “Maté (Yerba Maté)”
Eclipta (Bhringaraj)
The leaves and roots of Eclipta prostrata can do your liver a good turn by helping replace damaged liver cells and regenerating new liver cells. The herb can also regulate liver enzymes responsible for drug metabolism. It helps maintain blood glucose balance by slowing down formation of glucose from carbs and the conversion of glucoseContinue reading “Eclipta (Bhringaraj)”
Cinnamon
The warm, rich, flavorful sticks of cinnamon (Cinnamonum verum) offer versatile health benefits. They check inflammation in the body before it escalates into a health threat. They also balance other parameters like blood pressure and blood glucose levels, the latter by slowing down glucose digestion and increasing glucose uptake in the cells. Cinnamon could alsoContinue reading “Cinnamon”
Chitrak
Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) is a digestive herb that balances the microbe colonies in your gut and protects the stomach lining by suppressing corrosive stomach acids. It helps your heart by halting the modification of free cholesterol into the harmful versions, LDL and VLDL. Chitrak can also keep your blood glucose levels normal by making cellsContinue reading “Chitrak”
Arjuna
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) stem bark is the friend your heart needs, with its tannins that relax blood vessels, flavonoids that balance the cholesterol levels, and glycosides that help regularize the contractions of the heart muscle. Plus, arjunolic acid helps control inflammation by striking a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling chemicals. It is aided byContinue reading “Arjuna”
Andrographis (Bhunimba)
The “king of the bitters,” andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) contains diterpenoid lactones and flavonoids that assist your immune system in fighting invading microbes. The herb helps produce more white blood cells and antibodies. It also activates more macrophages which literally gobble up the invaders. At the same time, it checks the immune system from going overboardContinue reading “Andrographis (Bhunimba)”