Masala Chai

True cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) is a beautiful warming herb that helps stimulate digestion and appetite. It can help sooth an upset stomach, relieve indigestion, excess wind, and nausea, and is beneficial for alleviating diarrhoea. Cinnamon has been found to help keep blood sugar levels balanced and improve insulin’s efficiency, making it an ideal spice for diabetics. Cinnamon is also very high in glutathione, the body’s major antioxidants. Cinnamon is also beneficial for enhancing circulation.

Black tea (Camellia sinensis) comes from the same plant as other varieties of tea (white, green, oolong). Black tea undergoes the most processing and oxidation of all the teas, giving it its distinctive aroma, taste and darker colour. It is during this longer oxidization process that high levels of antioxidants, theaflavins and thearubigins, are produced. These antioxidants which are unique to black tea are thought to give black tea some of its protective health benefits.

A 2012 study revealed that drinking around 3 cups of black tea daily can help support cardiovascular function by improving cholesterol levels, reducing triglyceride levels and boosting antioxidant protection. (1)

Risk of stroke is also lowered by 21% in those who enjoy 3 or more cups of black (or green) tea daily. (2)

Studies have also shown that black tea consumption can lower blood sugar levels and the chance of developing type-2 diabetes. Black tea contains polysaccharides which are effective in slowing down the absorption of glucose (more so than green or oolong teas), as well as neutralizing free radicals. (3)

In one long-term study individuals who drank 1-2 cups of black (or green) tea daily for 30 years or more had a 70% reduced risk of developing type-2 diabetes. (4)

Drinking black tea can also help you de-stress, by lowering cortisol levels (the body’s major stress hormone) effectively after a stressful event. (5)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is widely-known for its ability to relieve nausea associated with motion and morning sickness, however this impressive spice posses many healing powers. It can boost immune function, reduce inflammation in the body, and ease digestive complaints such as wind. Ginger has been shown to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while raising beneficial HDLs. Ginger has the ability to reduce platelet stickiness,which helps improve circulation and reduce the risk of heart attacks and thrombotic strokes. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are benefical for improving digestive disorders, including excess wind and indigestion. Cloves also possess antibacterial properties and has been used traditionally in Ayuverdic medicine to treat oral conditions such as tooth decay and halitosis. Cloves are also considered an aphrodisiac in Chinese medicine.

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an ancient spice traditionally used in Ayverdic medicine for centuries to treat digestive complaints and dental and oral disorders. It is also thought to be beneficals for treating and preventing depression and along with being a good aphrodisiac.

Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) with its licorice-like taste has been used historically to treat sleeplessness and insomnia. Aniseed is also a great digestive herb, relieving wind and upset stomachs, due to its calmative effect.

References:

(1) Theeshan Bahorun, Amitabye Luximon-Ramma, Vidushi S. Neergheen-Bhujun, Teeluck Kumar Gunness, Kreshna Googoolye, Cyril Auger, Alan Crozier, Okezie I. Aruoma. The effect of black tea on risk factors of cardiovascular disease in a normal population. Preventive Medicine, Volume 54, Issue null, Pages S98-S102.

(2) Arab L, Liu, Elashoff D. Green and black tea consumption and risk of stroke: a meta-analysis. Stroke. 2009 May;40(5):1786-92.

(3) Haixia Chen, Zhishuang Qu, Lingling Fu, Peng Dong andXin Zhang.Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Capacity of 3 Polysaccharides from Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Black Tea. Journal of Food Science. Vol 74, Issue 6, pages C469-C474, Aug 2009.

(4) Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, Christos Lionis etal. Long-Term Tea Intake is Associated with Reduced Prevalence of (Type 2) Diabetes Mellitus among Elderly People from Mediterranean Islands: MEDIS Epidemiological Study. Yonsei Med J. 2009 Feb 28; 50(1): 31–38.

(5) Andrew Steptoe , E. Leigh Gibson, Raisa Vounonvirta, Emily D. Williams, Mark Hamer, Jane A. Rycroft, Jorge D Erusalimsky, Jane Wardle The effects of tea on psychophysiological stress responsivity and post-stress recovery: a randomised double-blind trial. Psychopharmacology. January 2007, Volume 190, Issue 1, pp 81-89