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Spice It Up With Spicy Oolong

We all need some spice in our lives. Life can get really boring, really fast. While not diving too deep into the philosophical aspects of our lives, a simple cup of tea can definitely be a pick-me-up. A prime example would be Spicy Oolong– Your regular oolong tea with the spicy twist of cinnamon. If you have never heard of oolong tea or how it’s good for you, then keep reading. 

What is Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea. Just like green tea or black tea, oolong tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The main difference is the method of processing. Oolong tea is partially oxidized: less than black tea but more than green tea. This partial oxidation is the reason for oolong tea’s characteristic taste and colour. Due to the partial oxidisation, oolong tea has the best of both worlds.

Now that you know about oolong tea, let’s dive deeper into the health benefits it offers.

Teapot with printed art filled with Oolong tea leaves
Photo by Jose Esquivel from Pexels

Oolong Tea May Help in Managing your Weight

A natural way to incorporate healthy measures into your diet is to consume tea. Of course, a balanced diet and regular exercise are a must. A lot of studies suggest that tea can play a crucial role in managing body weight. 

Oolong tea is a traditional semi-oxidized Chinese tea. It is different when it comes to taste and aroma, but the benefits are pretty similar to regular tea.

In a study done on 12 men, it was found that compared to water, those who drank tea had more energy in general. The energy expenditure of the men who were given full-strength tea was increased by 2.9%.

May Reduce the Risk of Cancer

One of the most deadly diseases on the face of the earth, cancer has no guaranteed way to be cured. It can only be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, and treatment is also very risky with very low chances of survival. 

The consumption of most types of teas provides properties that drastically affect our lives. Oolong tea has chemopreventive properties that may help keep this disease at bay.

In a study done on black tea extracts, it was found to exhibit anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative, and anti-neoplastic activities. These activities indicate the potential for the prevention of cancer in humans as well.

Oolong Tea May Prevent Heart Disease

Heart diseases are very common these days. People who are overweight have a higher risk of heart failure. The New Delhi Birth Cohort has revealed in a PubMed research, that “The annual number of deaths from CVD (cardiovascular disease) in India is projected to rise from 2.26 million (1990) to 4.77 million (2020)”.

A study done on 12 men reported that consumption of tea helped them exhibit increasing energy expenditure and fat oxidation. More energy expenditure means less accumulation of lipid, which can decrease the incidence of heart disease.

Another study revealed that 600 out of 1507 subjects who were regular tea drinkers, had a 46% decreased risk of developing hypertension.  

Oolong Tea Acts as an Antioxidant

Oxidative stress is a serious problem that can pave the way for chronic diseases like heart conditions. It is caused by the damage done by free radicals in our bodies. Antioxidants are compounds that reduce or prevent the chance of oxidative stress and hence they are extremely important for us.

Studies reveal that oolong tea shows antioxidant activity between 233 and 532 µmol/g, which is pretty significant. The researchers noticed a modest increase in human plasma antioxidant capacity upon oolong tea consumption.

The compounds responsible for this are Theasinensins,  A–E/alpha-tocopherol, and Theasinensins A–E. They decrease lipid peroxidation, which is a good thing against free radical damage.

Oolong Tea is Anti-Inflammatory 

Inflammation is a process that starts in our bodies once an injury takes place. It can lead to heat, pain, redness, swelling as our body tries to protect itself. But long-term inflammation, lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years, is a bad thing.

Research suggests that ethanol extract of oolong tea shows pro-angiogenic activity mediating protective effects on inflammation. 

Oolong reduces plasma MCP-1, which is another indication of its anti-inflammatory properties. Other components such as flavonoids such as cate-chins, theaflavins, and theasinensins also contribute to its anti-inflammatory nature.

Oolong Tea is also Anti-Diabetic

Diabetes can be very difficult to live with. There is no way to cure it, therefore preventing it is our only option. One way to do this is by incorporating tea into our diets.

Oolong tea may help reduce the risk of diabetes. In a study done on diabetic rats, Oolong tea reduced plasma glucose from 229 to 162.2 mg/dL. Theasinensins play a major role in the anti-diabetic property of Oolong tea. Theasinensins A has shown antihyperglycemic responses in diabetic mice.

Then What About The Spice?

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of the small tree Cinnamomum. Doctors have used cinnamon for medical purposes since medieval times. Cinnamon has a sweet and woody flavour with a slight citrusy note. As it offers a lot of health benefits, we often use it as a spice. 

Cinnamon May Lower Cholesterol Levels

According to research done for the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, cinnamon may help in lowering the cholesterol levels in our blood. C. zeylanicum and C. cassia, both types of cinnamon have shown cholesterol-lowering and lipid-lowering properties.

To quote the results, “After 40 days, 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily reduced mean fasting serum glucose (18–29%), triglyceride (23–30%), LDL cholesterol (7–27%), and total cholesterol (12–26%) levels”. The researchers noted no significant changes in the placebo groups.

Cinnamon May Improve Oral Health

Commonly used as an additive for flavour, this aromatic condiment has other benefits than making our food better. Cinnamon’s oral health benefits mainly come due to the prime component named cinnamaldehyde.

Research demonstrates that the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties of cinnamon allow it to effectively cleanse our mouth. That’s why cinnamon has traditionally been used as tooth powder and to treat toothaches, dental problems, etc.

Cinnamon is Full of Antioxidants

Cinnamon is famous for its essential oils. These aromatic essential oils are responsible for their taste, flavour, and aroma. Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help in preserving foods for longer a duration of time, and the consumption of antioxidants prevents oxidative stress. 

A study shows that various extracts of cinnamon have shown considerable antioxidant activity. They also prevent age-related ailments. Especially the methanol extract of cinnamon has the maximum anti-oxidant property. Cinnamon’s antioxidant property is mainly due to the eugenol component which has inhibited peroxynitrite-induced nitration and lipid peroxidation in the tests.

Cinnamon is Anti-Inflammatory

Tests suggest that cinnamon and its essential oils show significant anti-inflammatory properties. 

The researchers suggested that the use of cinnamon for consumption may be beneficial for the therapeutic treatment or prevention of some inflammation-mediated neurodegenerative diseases. 

Including cinnamon as a spice in your diet is heavily beneficial. Another way of consuming cinnamon may be in the form of tea. Try Spicy Oolong, for instance.

Cinnamon is also Anti-Diabetic

Medical professionals often use cinnamon-based supplements to treat diseases like diabetes. Diabetics often struggle with managing their glycemic index. Consumption of cinnamon may help in managing type-2 diabetes. 

Research shows that cinnamon contributes to better diabetic health by not only normalizing the blood sugar levels but also the lipid profile and blood pressure that play an important role in the prevention of further problems in a diabetic person.

A Spicy Twist

The sweet and woody aroma of Spicy Oolong will definitely uplift your mood. Spicy Oolong is sweet, woody and astringent in taste– a must-try!

So, after reading all these benefits, you might be interested in trying out Spicy Oolong by yourself. If so, you can order a trial pack for starters, or you can take that leap of faith and order the 30-day pack. Either way, make sure to let us know how you liked it.

Want to stick to black tea, but also try something new? Try the traditional British brew Earl Grey. If you like exploring new and exciting brews, check out 7 Reasons To Try Rooibos Tea. Stay safe and stay healthy!

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Stress-free Innings in Life: Yes, It’s Possible. Know How

Stress-free innings in life

Stress comes as part and parcel of life. It comes with different faces, and for everybody, the face results in a different consequence. It is beyond any doubt that stress is bound to come even after your retirement. Humans are wired to be stressed. Physically. Mentally. If you shine a bright ray of light on it, stress takes us miles. Yes, there are severe effects of enduring too much stress. But if you channelize it for your own benefit, you will see the massive difference it brings to your life.

One must always look forward to leading a life where you focus more on relaxing, exploring, and experiencing. As the age of misinformation kicks everyone to follow the herd, people tend to see shade in the wrong things. Alcohol, drugs, and partying are unfortunately the popular approaches of de-stressing. Ono Teas aims to change the thought. Let’s define a new stress-free inning in life with tea.

 

Yoga, meditation and herbal tea

Stress-free innings in lifeEverybody has their own equation and solution for stress. They have their own leisure activities. Some do yoga, others meditate, and some travel to meet new people and earn experiences. It is paramount to define your methods to deal with stress so that you have the breathing space for your future life.

Yoga can uplift one physically, mentally and spiritually. Yoga was spiritually rich back in the days. It focused on both metaphysical and physical. Now the tables have spun a bit. Nowadays, the practitioners may be more inclined towards practising it to relax and live stress-free moments. Amalgamating the old and the new, yoga and meditation ceremonies have started seeing a new trend. Sipping herbal tea. And to make this practice more fruitful than ever, Ono Teas has come up with resplendent herbal teas, such as Peppermint tea, Skin Glow Herbal tea, Hibiscus tea, and Green tea.

 

Peppermint tea

For this one, we combine spearmint, peppermint and Calendula flower petals to offer you a taste that re-defines minty. It’s fresh and flavourful, and an excellent accompaniment to friendly conversations and light snacks.

 

Skin Glow Herbal tea

This tea is an herbal tisane that offers you a unique recipe of health, vitality, and optimism. It is a combination of turmeric, ginger root and lemongrass, steeped deep in Ayurveda. This tea is healthy and helps alleviate stress. It’s a caffeine-free lifestyle choice towards rejuvenation and well-being.

 

Hibiscus tea

Drink with style the ‘all red’ herbal tisane with handpicked hibiscus petals processed in small batches for great citrus treat. Did you know that hibiscus tea was primarily served to Pharaohs in ancient Egypt? It travelled over the centuries finding its place in other tropical countries and cultures. With each sip, you can ensure you are moving to a healthy you, a relaxed you.

 

Green tea

If you take green tea, it is powerful to help you manage your weight. The bioactive compounds and antioxidants are proven to help avoid green tea. Your stress-free innings should also focus a lot on detoxing the body. Tea is the perfect way to do it.

 

It would be unfair to say that drinking herbal teas is a new trend. But the fact is that it’s being resurrected. Back in the days, conversations and me-times were just an excuse to have tea. Drinking tea was considered royal and counted as one of the main leisurely activities for people. And why not? Tea has properties in it which are proven to be a blessing for our health and spirit. It can be called as the best beverage humankind could ever lay their hands on. A thousand times better than alcohol and any other beverage, tea defines the better part of humanity.

 

Introducing tea as your staple drink

Stress-free innings in lifeThe benefits tea gives you are numerous. It is health and royalty in a cup minus any side effects. If you cling to coffee and alcohol, they are prone to give you a headache and heart disease in the end. Tea has good components which are productive for your system. It provides you an easy way to prevent lifestyle discomforts because it has all the richness which your system needs for better performance. Your inner health always reflects on the outside. Overall, tea beats stress like no other. Even if you handpick factors contributing to stress and the critical health problems, tea comes with a whole army of different types to beat them, laying out a rainbow of health benefits.

 

Turmeric herbal tea and Tulsi lemongrass tea

The special Turmeric Herbal tea and Tulsi Lemongrass tea by Ono Teas step right into your gut and consistently cleanse out your bowels. They also have significant amounts of antioxidants and are antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

 

Pure chamomile tea

If you want to step up your post-retirement life towards a more stress-free and meditative zone, you can use Pure Chamomile tea. Unlike many other tea types, this tea is considered to be one of the best natural sleeping aids by acting as a mild tranquilizer. It helps to reduce stress. It brings you peace by calming your highly active and tensed brain functions.

 

Earl Grey tea

Another tea type known to benefit your health considerably is the Earl Grey tea. It is a classic black tea infused with Bergamot Oil that was a favourite among eighteenth-century British aristocrats. Ono Teas presents a version of this tea that is a unique combination of the fragrant cold-pressed oil from the rinds of Italian Bergamot oranges and Assam Black Tea. This tea reduces anxiety and relieves stress. We hand process this tea using traditional methods to give you an unforgettable taste.

 

Other teas that you could consider are Oolong tea, Darjeeling tea, Chinese tea, Japanese tea, Assam tea, Nilgiri tea – All having amazing aromas and beautiful texture to the drink. That’s the beauty of tea. You get magical and healthy choices. And with healthy choices, you have more ways to combat your health problems effectively. Be it your kitty party, or the card game of old dudes; tea helps decrease stress and uplifts the entire experience of moments shared with your friends and loved ones.

 

Second innings of life – The new lens

Stress-free innings in lifeYour second innings in life not only demands fun and memorable experiences, but it also gradually asks you to have a more holistic approach towards life, and tea helps you tread towards it. As a retired individual walking out successfully from a stressful version of life, why not start having more fun activities, such as a tea party in the house or playing cards with your beloved ones by sipping tea. You can also arouse the rich taste of life by relaxing in your reclining chair and enjoying sweet sips of Tulsi Sweet lemon tea accompanied by the soft sunset.

Imagine yourself having a nostalgic chat about your first innings of life with your dear friends in the second innings of your life. Nothing beats that happiness! Why not make such conversations memorable with a diverse assortment of health-inducing teas, such as Whiskey tea, Kashmiri Kahwa, English Breakfast, and 3 Paan tea?

 

Whiskey tea

Our non–alcoholic beverage tastes like none other. It smells and tastes like whiskey but is devoid of alcohol. You can brew it hot or cold to enjoy a fantastic aroma and taste of whiskey. Like tea, whiskey is a beverage that calls on years of tradition, patience, sophistication, and skill. The two make a particularly good match by complementing each other through shared notes of smoke and malt.

 

Kashmiri Kahwa

Our version of this tea is a delectable blend of high-altitude Kashmiri Green tea leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, ginger root, and saffron. A taste of royalty in the first sip; an experience of tranquility for long. Pick it up as your daily morning ritual and start your day right, on a stress-free note.

 

English Breakfast

One of the most popular blended teas among the British, this is a classic breakfast time tea. If a flavourful black tea with milk appeals to you in the morning, reach for our English Breakfast. This tea is perfect to help kick start your day or give you a mid-day boost if you so require. So, say no to other drinks that give you wings to pull through the day. Move to English Breakfast.

 

3 Paan tea

This tea comes with the flavour of an ever-popular after-food mouth freshener. Our Teen Paan tea soothes the stomach and manages indigestion with its super-duper cooling effect. No need to run down to the local paan shop anymore, just brew a cup to enjoy the goodness. The new name in leisure drinks could now be right in your home.

 

Let’s also face some reality. The second innings in life proves to be fantastic when you effectively beat any cholesterol or sleep problems lurking around. It is a chain. If you get habituated to herbal tea, you will invite good health. If you are in the best of your health, you are stress-free. And if you are stress-free, your leisurely activities are cherry on top of your retirement life. Now you see how tea is a great way to help yourself rid stress and other lifestyle disorders that are entirely preventable.

 

To conclude

Tea helps you in combating stress like none other. Plus, it’s a great way to forge new connections with people. Tea beats every other drink in your leisurely activities. The beauty of it is in the truth that you are getting a multitude of health benefits and great taste with tea. In this age, where the world boasts about coffee and post-retirement beer parties, be the one standing with tea, health, and a smile on your face. With this article, we hope that your way to comfortable and stress-free innings in life will begin with some elixir from Ono Teas.

 

 

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Ono Teas handcrafts full leaf teas suiting every moment you want to cherish, whether it is solitude or conversations with friends or just a leisurely health drink to counter lifestyle disorders. You can shop from our range of green teas, black teas, blends or tisanes based on the moment you want to celebrate.

To buy Ono Teas online, visit our website.
Stay connected with us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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Stressed or Have Sleep Disorders? Drink Chamomile Tea

Have you ever been through days where you are desperately on a lookout to get yourself some sleep? Yes, I’ve been through them. And you know what? There is something about stress that gets to me; when I’m exhausted my body seems to forget how to fall asleep. However, much I want to go to sleep and pinch my eyes shut or cuddle up in the softness of my pillow; all go in vain. So, I made a promise to myself that I will search for an alternative to my dreaded sleepless nights. Thus, I began my voyage to de-stress and relax. Consequently, I had to find myself a relaxant, but I was reluctant to use any of those conventional medicines that one sees in a doctor’s clinic. Halt, I’m a person for the alternative medicine, always on a lookout for a body-friendly way to recover myself without being harmed. Therefore, a lot of research, web-based reading and friend talk led me to the beautiful chamomile tea.

 

What is chamomile tea?

Chamomile for stress and sleep disordersChamomile tea gets its name from the Roman Chamomile plant or mother’s daisy, mostly found in Europe, North America and Argentina. India has witnessed the cultivation of this plant in the city of Lucknow for about 200 years. This plant made a foray in Punjab about 300 years ago during the Mughal period. These dried chamomile flowers are loaded with antioxidants and are well known for their sleep aiding properties. The chamomile plant is safe for consumption and has been used in many cultures across the world as a mild sedative and to treat stomach ailments. People commonly use its flowers in teas. Moreover, the Anglo-Saxons believe this herb to be 1 of 9 sacred herbs given to humans by the lord.

 

Chamomile tea and me

Chamomile teaChamomile not only aids digestion but can also be used to control nausea. That is why, I recommend keeping this tea at home. And that’s what I do. There is no need to take medicine. Instead, I treat these simple conditions of bloating and vomiting with my favorite Pure Chamomile Tea, whereas I keep Chamomile Mint or Sweet Dreams Tea for my family as they don’t like the floral fragrance of the chamomile flower. But for me, the sweet flowery hint of aroma brought about by Ono Tea’s Pure Chamomile Tea serves as the best relaxant when the darkness of night falls.

My day usually ends with the dinner dishes and that is the time when I love to grab a cup of tea, for my hubby and myself; resting on our favorite recliners. Sipping down on our ideal blend and talking about our day’s ups and downs, is so relaxing. It seems to remove all the knots that have formed throughout my muscles. The warm cup of water and the sweet scent of chamomile brings out a magical effect that results in loosening the tension. The tea sets the note for serene tranquility, leading to a beautiful and relaxing sleep mode. Research seconds this fact too. In fact, a study published in PubMed Central, National Centre for Biotechnology Information (PMC, NCBI) states that chamomile is commonly used in the form of an aqueous extract to reduce anxiety, treat hysteria, nightmares, insomnia and other sleep problems.

 

The delicious chamomile tea latte

Try this personal favorite – hot but soothing chamomile tea latte. At night, when it’s quiet and dark, that’s the perfect time to heat some milk and enjoy this fantastic drink. I prefer to brew the chamomile tea right in the milk and then add dried lavender buds that release their fragrance as the tea steeps. Lavender enables relaxation naturally, especially at bedtime. We all know that warm milk acts as a sleep inducer and chamomile takes it a step further.

A sip of this dreamy latte will help you forget all your troubles of the day, if only for a few moments. I’ve grown a sort of addiction for this bedtime drink. All it needs is a dollop of honey for sweetness, which goes very nicely with it.

Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients

  • Milk: 2 cups (regular or non-dairy)
  • Dried chamomile buds: 2 to 3 tsp heaped
  • Raw honey or maple syrup: 1 to 2 Tsp
  • Pure Vanilla extract: ¼ Tsp (if desired)

Preparations:

  1. Heat the milk until it is hot. Ensure it is not boiling.
  2. Add chamomile tea to the hot milk and allow the drink to steep for about 5 minutes.
  3. With the help of our faithful strainer, strain the beautiful liquid into your favorite cup.
  4. Finally, refresh with raw honey or Maple syrup and add vanilla extract, if desired.

There you go!! Your chamomile tea latte is ready to drink. And, remember we can always play around with flavours as per our likeness. It may be a hint of cinnamon or a dash of lavender; trying to reveal untold stories. To further glamourise my tea, I love to froth the hot milk with the help of a frother and voilà! The outcome is just beautiful.

 

Benefits associated with chamomile tea

Chamomile teaAlthough I’m a black tea lover, chamomile tea is the way to go when I’m overworked and in a mood for a spa. It has the most soothing effects on my already weary nerves. Chamomile tea helps in falling fast asleep and waking up all refreshed the next morning. Additionally, it relieves the body and mind from the daily anxiety that we suffer living in a busy urban environment.

To sum up, chamomile tea is not an actual tea. Instead, it is an herbal form. It tastes more like a crisp apple and has a very light and airy feel to it. To enjoy the best flavour and aroma, one must brew the dried chamomile flowers for not more than 3 to 4 minutes especially when consuming only with water, without milk or honey. Hot or cold, with lemon, cinnamon, honey or lavender; as a latte with frothed milk or just with water, chamomile tea has immense benefits. And in the present-day sleep-deprived lives, who doesn’t need a beautiful, light, airy cup of tea to go down those sweet dream lanes that they always used to visit?

 

 

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This article is one in a series of articles related to chamomile tea, written by Mrs. Zehra Zain, a creative writer and a foodie. She writes unique, research-driven content to enhance the reader’s perception of food, nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle. Her innovative writings are an expression of her affair with food. She lives in Dubai with” the hubby”, “the kids” and “the four-wheeler”.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the writer, and not to the brand Ono Teas or other group or individual.

Ono Teas handcrafts full leaf teas suiting every moment you want to cherish, whether it is solitude or conversations with friends or just a leisurely health drink to counter lifestyle disorders. You can shop from our range of green teas, black teas, blends or tisanes based on the moment you want to celebrate.

To buy Ono Teas online, visit our website.
Stay connected with us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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References/Additional Reading

Chamomile

Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future

What is chamomile?

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview

Chamomile Tea: New Evidence Supports Health Benefits