Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
Tea
is known as ‘Chai’ in several places of the world. Chai tea originates
from the ancient Ayurveda. It is a famous beverage possessing
significant aroma and health benefits besides being a regular warm sweet
beverage. The preparation of chai tea varies from place to place
depending on the spices one prefers. Spices act as special add on to the
typical soothing and refreshing flavor of chai tea.
Chai tea ingredients
Ingredients | Quantity |
Darjeeling black tea leaves | 1/2 tsp. |
Cardamom (Elachi) | 2 – 6 seeds |
Cloves | 1 – 2 cloves |
Cinnamon | 1 inch stick |
Black pepper (black peppercorns) | A pinch |
Long pepper | A pinch |
Fresh Ginger sliced | 1/2 half inch slice |
Skimmed or whole milk | 2 cups |
Sugar | 2 tsp. |
You can also use other herbs and spices in chia tea, according to your taste and
How to make chai tea
Chai
tea is usually a combination of black tea, sweetener, milk and spices
of choice. To start with making tea, items required are as follows:
- A small utensil preferably a pot
- A spoon
- A tea strainer
- Chai tea leaves
- Sweetener which can either be sugar, molasses, jaggery or brown sugar
- Skimmed or whole milk
- Spices (ginger, cardamom, fennel seeds, cinnamon, salt, pepper)
Serving: 2
Instructions:
- Add two cups of milk to a small pot and place it on the stove.
- Let it heat for some time, in the meanwhile, prepare the spice of choice. If it is ginger, then chop it into small pieces and mash the pieces to extract the juice out of them. In case of cardamom, just crack open the pods to add them to the boiling milk. Rest of the spices can be added as they are without any preparation.
- Add two teaspoons of black tea leaves.
- Add two teaspoons of the chosen sweetener.
- Stir the mixture properly.
- Strain out all the solid particles to extract a nice tan liquid, which is nothing but chai tea.
Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses
Chai
tea is loaded with innumerable medicinal values. Its health benefits
have been the talk of town since centuries. A summary on the health
benefits and medicinal uses of chai tea is illustrated below:
Depression & Anxiety
Chai
tea acts as a revitalizer and hence combats depression skillfully. Its
caffeine content makes it an effective reliever of anxiety and
depression thereby restoring a sense of energy and vitality in the
depression patient.
Due to its easy
availability, people who often suffer from mood swings and depression
can conveniently use it as a home remedy. Thus, chai tea is popularly
known as mood setter. Adding cardamom as a spice to chai tea enhances
its ability to reduce the feelings of depression.
Digestive problems
Chai
tea enhances digestion power and helps eliminating all types of
digestive disorders. The spices used in making chai tea prove to be
beneficial in this aspect. Ayurveda
primarily relies on chai tea for curing problems associated with the
digestive system. Each spice in chai tea is specialized in dealing with a
particular digestive ailment.
For instance,
- Ginger has a soothing effect on stomach.
- Cloves and black pepper stimulate digestion process by triggering the secretion of digestive enzymes in pancreas.
- Cinnamon potentially curbs nausea and diarrhea and keeps the stomach calm and cool.
- Long pepper also stimulates digestive secretion, balances gastric juices and aids digestion.
Therefore,
chai tea after meals can act as a miraculous digestion booster and can
be unanimously used as an alternative to digestion stimulating drugs.
Inflammation
Chai
tea is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The spices
invariably used in chai tea play significant role in boosting these
properties.
According to various
medical journals, ginger can be used as an herbal alternative to
anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal). It is mostly used in treating
inflammations associated with arthritis.
The
primary constituent in cloves called eugenol potentially relieves
general inflammation. Sources have reported that cinnamon is also armed
with anti-inflammatory properties.
Weak immunity
Spices
present in chai tea helps in strengthening immunity. Both ginger and
cardamom are equipped with immunity boosting properties. They boost the
immune system and keep the common disease like cold away.
Cancer and cardiovascular diseases
Chai
tea is full of powerful antioxidants. Black tea itself is a mighty
antioxidant that helps in the prevention of damage done to cells and
tissues by free radicals.
Adding
spices like ginger, cardamom and black pepper to chai tea significantly
increase its anti-oxidation value, which ultimately helps in the
treatment of cancer. Ginger protects the body against colorectal cancer
and treats ovarian cancer potentially. Cardamom has anti-oxidizing
effect on nonmelanoma skin cancer.
It
also helps in reducing blood pressure thereby keeping the body away
from cardiovascular risks. The active antioxidant present in black
pepper called piperine prevents oxidative damage in the cells and
tissues.
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
Chai
tea spices such as ginger and cinnamon help in balancing the hormonal
disturbances and thus alleviate pain and discomfort closely associated
with PMS.
Diabetes
Chai spices contribute to regulation of blood sugar level and thus prevent type 2 diabetes.
Caution & Side Effects
Caffeine in chai tea leads to insomnia, nausea, restlessness and dizziness.
As a caution, one can reduce the consumption of caffeinated chai tea or one can opt for decaffeinated chai tea.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
As
chai tea is a blend of various herbs and spices, therefore cautiousness
is essential while having it during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Some
herbs can lead to hormonal imbalance and several other side effects. You
should avoid following herbs and spices in chia tea during pregnancy
and breastfeeding.
- Licorice
- Peppermint
- Kava kava
- Burdock
- Guarana
- Rhubarb
- Parsley
- Comfrey
- Cornsilk
- Senna
- Sage
- Thyme
- Angelica
- Cascara Sagrada
- Damiana
- Uva Ursi
Contraindications
You
should be extremely cautious while buying a ready to make chai tea from
a store because it contains a blend of huge number of herbs. It would
be possible that you are not using some of these herbs or spices in your
daily life. Some contraindications of chia tea are as follows.
- Allergy to any ingredient present in chia tea
- Heartburn or acidity
- GERD
- Ulcer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Mouth ulcer
Drug Interactions
These
herbs and spices in chia tea can interact with modern medicines.
Therefore, consult your doctor before using chia tea or masala tea along
with modern medicines.
Some drugs
like adenosine for cardiac stress test, cimetidine, quinolone
antibiotics, ephedrine, dipyridamole, clozapine, disulfiram, lithium,
estrogens, warfarin, birth control pills, stimulant drugs,
antidepressants, anti-diabetic drugs and several other drugs have either
moderate or close interactions with caffeine in chai tea leading to
harmful effects. Therefore, consultation with doctor is mandatory in
this case.
https://www.ayurtimes.com/masala-chai-tea-health-benefits-side-effects/
Get Organic India, Tulsi Tea, Masala Chai from iHerb
Get Organic India, Tulsi Tea, Masala Chai from iHerb
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