Author: Deepti Gupta

Green tea primarily is grown and brewed in China and India, now has taken the world by storm for its amazing healthy properties. It contains polyphenol antioxidants and catechin called EGCG that offers huge health benefits. The health benefits of Green tea have tempted fitness conscious people to include it in their daily routine. It is being consumed largely in the USA for the last few years.

How to make Green Leaves Tea

Making a perfect cup of green tea involves just a few steps.

1. For brewing 1 cup tea you require 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves. You can also use green tea pearls or tea bags also. Do not use boiling hot water, as the beverage could turn bitter. Put leaves on a strainer over a cup, and take off the pan before the water boils. Slowly pour the water in a mug through the sieve where green leaves are placed.

2. Another way is to pour semi-boiled water over tea leaves and let it soak in a pan for 3 minutes before you drink it slowly. Add honey as per your preference to sweeten the green tea beverage.

Read on to know what you will get when you drink green tea regularly-

Benefits of Green Tea

Improves Brain Function

Thanks to the antioxidants and other nutrients, green tea keeps the brain in good health by increasing its efficiency and making you smarter. It also keeps you awake, when you choose to stay awake for work or study. Its key active stimulant is caffeine that helps in comprehensive improvement of the brain.

Its caffeine is not stronger than coffee. Hence, it doesn’t become addictive or a health hazard. But surely it stimulates the senses and blocks an impeding neurotransmitter, Adenosine. Thereafter, it increases the output of neurons and increases dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. Caffeine in the tea also affects various aspects of brain functioning, elates mood, brings alertness, improves reaction time, and enhances memory by combining with amino acid L-theanine.

Protects Against Cancer

Green Tea with its bioactive plant compounds extracted from tea leaves contains 30% polyphenols by weight.  Antioxidants catechin called EGCG has anti-inflammatory properties to fight cancer and improve general health. Its constituents decrease free radical formation, protect cells, and molecules from deteriorating. It reduces breast cancer in women by 20 to 30% with its regular usage. It also controls prostate cancer by 48%, and colorectal cancer by 42%. Its consistent use is also beneficial in controlling other cancer forms also.

Checks Heart Ailments, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol       

The experts believe that green tea keeps the blood vessels in fine shape and reducing the chances of heart stroke and the effects of changing blood pressure. It discourages the clot formation in the arteries by raising good cholesterol level.

Fat loss and Fat-Burning for Better Physical Response

Green Tea enhances the fat-burning process and helps in the fat loss process.  In most fat loss schedules and programs, this tea always has a place for its immense health benefits. Most studies highlight that green leaves tea boosts metabolism and vital energy of the body.

Controls Old-Age diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinson

Alzheimer:

Generally, old age diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinson are related to the degeneration of cells. Alzheimer is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to dementia. Green tea delays the deterioration of this old age disease.

Parkinson’s disease:

It is also a common neurodegenerative disease, happens because of the dissolution of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The studies conclude through observing mice in the lab that catechin compounds present in green tea protect neurons. Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases occur when brain cells die, green tea, in this case, checks the deterioration of these cells.

Controls the aging process   

Delay the aging process with a daily cup of green tea.

Green tea is considered one of the healthiest beverages today for its power-packed antioxidants and other compounds. Its regular consumption checks degeneration of brain cells that prompts the aging process. Its constituents also help in declining free radical formation, protect cells, and molecules from getting deteriorated. These free radicals are known culprits in hastening aging process and developing other age-related diseases.

Improves Dental Infections through their Anti-Bacterial properties

The catechins in green tea terminate bacteria and prevent influenza-like viruses. It improves dental health by removing Streptococcus mutants, the harmful bacteria in the mouth with its regular use. These bacteria activate plaque formation leading to cavities and other dental issues. This invaluable tea checks infections, bothersome bad breath, and removes plaque. It generally controls infections developing in the body.

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Great benefits of Green tea for Skin

Camphor was traditionally made by distilling wood and bark of ‘Cinnamomum camphora’ or camphor tree but today it is chemically made by using turpentine oil. Camphor is used in the form of camphor balls, cubes, and camphor oil. Interestingly, it has many healing and medicinal properties irrespective of its form. Due to these health benefits of camphor, it is used in various vapor ups, lotions, creams, etc. Check out more here:

Health benefits you can get by using camphor:

 Acts as a sleep inducer:

The fragrance of camphor has a soothing and calming effect on your mind due to which you tend to fall asleep easily. In order to get a good night’s sleep with the help of camphor, rub a few drops of camphor oil on the pillow and sleep over it.

Related article- Improve sleeping habit for healthy aging

Treats common cough and cold:

Camphor contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can heal common cough and cold. And this is the reason why camphor is used in several vapor ups. There are many ways you can get rid of cough and cold using camphor or camphor oil. First is just rubbing camphor oil on your chest and back. Second is dissolving camphor in hot water and inhaling through steam.

Pure Essential Oil Camphor, 0.5 oz, Nature’s Alchemy – $5.01
from: VitaSprings.com

Pain reliever:

Camphor acts as an ointment on the skin, which relieves you from pain and swelling. It makes the sensory nerve endings numb due to which pain and inflammation are reduced. Apply a few drops of camphor oil on the painful/swollen area and take rest for some time. Repeat the procedure for a few days.

Can heal minor cuts and wounds:

Camphor has antiseptic properties due to which it can heal minor wounds and cuts. In order to ward off infection from scrapes and cuts just apply a paste of camphor seeds to it.

Solves gastric problems:

One of the less-known health benefits of camphor is that it is a gas reliever. Camphor reduces the formation of gas in your stomach and gives you relief from gastric troubles. Just inhale some camphor vapor up or apply warm camphor oil on your stomach to get quick relief.

Improves digestion:

Camphor oil boosts the functioning of the excretory system. Camphor acts as an impelling force to metabolism, which leads to better digestion. Thus, you can apply some camphor oil on your stomach to treat any ailment related to digestion, metabolism or circulation.

Treats osteoarthritis:

It acts as an ointment on muscles and joint pain. It contains pain-relieving properties, which can treat osteoarthritis. To see its magical effects, just replace your medicinal cream with a paste of camphor seeds (containing few drops of camphor oil).

Related article- How Rheumatoid Arthritis differs from Osteoarthritis

Asthma healer:

Camphor has various ant-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antiseptic and other medicinal properties. This can clear conjunction in respiratory organs. Though camphor cannot treat asthma completely yet it can improve the health of your respiratory organs. To check the health benefits of camphor on asthma, try to inhale camphor steam regularly besides your asthma medicines.

Improves libido:

Due to certain personal and physical factors, one can lose interest in sex. If you are facing the same issue and want to improve your libido then camphor can work best for you. Camphor activates those parts of your brain that stimulate sexual urges and desires. External application of camphor oil (as suggested by a doctor) can prove very beneficial in treating erectile dysfunction.

Reduces stress and anxiety:

The calming smell of camphor calms the nerves of your brain. It gives you relief from stress and anxiety. Moreover, it has antispasmodic properties due to which it is used in aromatherapy. You can inhale a camphor vaporizer or spray a homemade camphor essential oil air freshener in your room to calm your mind.

Things to keep in mind while using camphor: 

Even though camphor has such wonderful properties, the health benefits of camphor are limited and subjected to certain conditions. Hence, before using camphor keep the below things in mind:

• Direct intake of camphor is not suggested, it can cause vomiting and poisoning.
• Keep camphor out of reach of children.
• Use camphor oil only in mentioned quantities as overdose can lead to various health problems.
• Do not apply it directly on open wounds.
• Pregnant and breast-feeding mothers are advised to use camphor oil and related remedies only after doctors’ consultation.
• If your skin turns red or you get an itchy sensation after using camphor oil, discontinue using it.

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Food is the basic source of energy for the human body. Hence, it is very important to build a healthy relationship with the food you eat. Dieting forcefully, overeating, guilt eating, etc., can worsen your relationship with food and it can negatively affect your health. However, there are easy ways to create a healthy relationship with food just by making some habitual and psychological changes.

Habitual/Physical ways to build a healthy relationship with food

Use all your senses:

When food is served, take time to appreciate what is brought to your table. Smell your food, admire the blend of colors in your food and then taste it. Make use of all your senses to connect with the food you are putting inside yourself. Doing this will give you deep mental satisfaction and teach you how to value your food.

Eat every variety of food:

Many of you may avoid eating green leafy vegetables or certain fruits, as you dislike it. However, eat everything even if you do not like it; eat it for the sake of nourishment and choose health before taste.

Say no to TV/mobiles while eating:

While talking about creating a healthy relationship with food, this may seem the most difficult one for the majority of you!

Today everyone is glued to mobile or TV screens even while eating, this breaks your connection with the food you are eating. Avoid watching TV, scrolling your phone or even talking while eating. Concentrate on the food you are eating and do not eat just for the sake of filling your stomach!

Buy smartly:

While monthly shopping, do not shop for tempting items like ice creams, chips, etc., in bulk quantities. Buy single-serve packs of the same to avoid overeating and to prevent food addictions. Instead, take your list of ingredients that you require for preparing food at home.

Psychological changes you need to create a healthy relationship with food

Do hold the ‘Eat guilt’:

One of the easy ways to create a healthy relationship with food is forgiving yourself for poor eating or treating yourself with junk food while on diet. Do not hold the eat guilt, instead take it easy and get back on track with your regular food.

Do not live to eat:

Yes, food is an important part of your life but do not make it your reason to live. Continuously thinking about food will lead you nowhere in life. Remind yourself that there are more important and beautiful things in life rather than food. So socialize, have a hobby and make good memories.

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Why do you need to develop a healthy relationship with food?

Stress is not entirely a bad word in terms of health and general attitude in today’s life. Healthy stress sharpens your mind and makes your focus better. It also gives you a competitive edge to finish assigned work with due diligence. Healthy stress gives you the motive to move on in life. However, the stress for many plays havoc on their mental and physical conditioning. It is destructive to the whole body, as the level of anxiety increases and affects mental reasoning depriving straight thinking and overall physical health. When the stress becomes excessive, it needs specific breathing techniques to control it.

Here are some breathing techniques that help you enjoy its real benefits to de-stress.

Prepare for breathing exercises

• Before you start, select the right place where you can sit peacefully anywhere on a mat, bed or a chair.
• Choose a time to do breathing exercises every day, preferably twice a day.
• You need to do breathing exercise for a few minutes only each day.

Breathing techniques or exercises for Stress Relief

1.Basic Breathing for Beginner     

Simple Breathing techniques for stress relief

This ‘mindful’ breathing technique is a simple breathing exercise, where you need to focus your attention on your breathing while inhaling and exhaling. Take deep breaths slowly with total attention on your breathing. When you inhale, hold your breath for 2-3 seconds and exhale through the mouth slowly taking a second longer. Just focus on breathing and do not let your mind wander. You will notice a distinct mental relief after a few minutes of breathing exercise only.

2. Abdominal breathing

When your heartbeat runs faster and blood pressure seems to be rising in stress, then belly breathing or abdominal breathing is the one exercise to follow. For this technique, lie on your back on a mat or hard bed, have your knees bent or keep a pillow below the knees. Place one hand on your chest and other below the rib cage. Inhale slowly through nose while noticing stomach movement; next, tighten your stomach muscles when you exhale through the mouth. For quicker relief, do it for 10 minutes 4 times a day.

3. Breathing through Nostril Alternatively            

It’s a yogic practice of breathing deep and slow from one nostril while holding the second nostril then exhaling through the second nostril while holding the first nostril with the thumb. Alternatively, it is to be done from both nostrils one at a time for 5 to 10 minutes. This type of breathing helps in keeping a good balance between mind and body thus helps in de-stressing and providing good health.

4. Pranayama style 4-7-8 breathing

It is a great way of having good results for the soothing nervous system. Sit straight, place the tongue on your upper teeth and continue breathing in the same position through the nose. Now exhale from your mouth by making a ’whoosh’ sound. Close mouth and breath normally until the count of four in your mind. Hold your breath to the count of seven then exhale through your open mouth making ‘whoosh’ sound to a count of eight. Do it twice a day three times at least.

Make regular breathing exercise your daily ritual to have its real benefits.

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What is the connection between high blood pressure and breathing?

Health Benefits of Deep Breathing

Reference:

https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-relief-breathing-techniques#1