Qi Organic Green Tea and Ginseng

When I see green tea I think right away about an energy boost and weight loss; and when I was a student I often took supplements with ginseng for improving concentration, thinking ability and memory. However, green tea and ginseng have much more health benefits.

1)Green tea

Did you know that green tea was used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion, improve heart and mental health and to regulate body temperature?

Today we use green tea mainly for the following:

• The antioxidants in the tea can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. Both the antioxidants and ant-inflammatory activities can therefore help with wrinkles and the signs of aging

• Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to produce an effect. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function. Don’t drink too much or too late if you want to sleep enough (If you are sensitive to caffeine then one cup should be your limit)

• Green tea can increase fat burning and improve physical performance

• Green tea has powerful antioxidants that may protect against cancer. Multiple studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of various types of cancer

• Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions

• Green tea has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol, as well as protect the LDL particles from oxidation. Observational studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease

=> Some of these benefits are still being debated, so please do your own research if you want to use green tea for medicinal purposes. Also, try to choose a higher quality brand of green tea, because some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive levels of fluoride. Green tea also contains tannins (which can decrease the absorption of iron and folic acid), so if you are pregnant or trying to conceive then green tea may not be ideal for you.

2)Ginseng

Ginseng is probably the most famous Chinese herb and is derived from a Greek word which means “all healing”. According to ancient literature this herb will work wherever it is needed. If someone has a high temperature it will lower it. If you have a low temperature it will increase it.

According to Webmd, there are two main types of ginseng: Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Studies have found that the different types have different benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng is considered less stimulating than the Asian variety.

The green tea of the brand Qi (see picture above) has Korean ginseng.

What are the health benefits of Ginseng?

Some health bloggers/sources claim that Ginseng improves your powers of concentration and cognitive capabilities and that ginseng tea is highly recommended for students.

Webmd explains that there is some early evidence that ginseng might temporarily — and modestly — improve concentration and learning. In some studies of mental performance, ginseng has been combined with ginkgo. While these studies are intriguing, many experts feel that we need more evidence.

So what herbs do improve our concentration?

According to The Daily Mind, Ginkgo Biloba is probably the most famous concentration food around. It is actually from the oldest tree species on the planet and is used to treat concentration problems, dementia, etc. The good thing about Ginkgo is that there are quite a few solid scientific studies that show that Ginkgo actually does work as a “brain herb”. The way it does this is by increasing blood flow to the brain and nourishing the cells and so on.

Bacopa monneieri is an Indian Ayurvedic medical herb that is used to treat anxiety, stress and as an intelligence booster. It is said to improve concentration as well as nourishing the brain. And scientific studies (although rare) have supported this information. It has been shown to improve brain function.

Now back to Ginseng…

Ginseng tea is popular as a natural appetite suppressant. Consuming this herbal tea would also provide slimness to the body by boosting your metabolic rate and burning fat at a higher rate.

Ginseng has also been studied as a way to improve mood and boost endurance as well as treat cancer, heart disease, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, and other conditions. While some of these uses are promising, the evidence isn’t conclusive.

There are no natural food sources of ginseng. Ginseng is sometimes added to energy drinks and foods.