In July 2023, Global Peace Women (GPW) Paraguay held a webinar to explore complementary therapies that people can adopt to improve their health and wellness in their everyday lives. By providing options other than general healthcare, education in alternative therapies can help empower people to explore the best solutions to a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Victoria Chaparro, a cardiology specialist, delved into the topic in the session that was moderated by GPW Paraguay national director Maria Ester Jimenez. She shared different types of tea that individuals can consume and the benefits of it:
Green tea: This powerful antioxidant contains caffeine, which comes in flavored and unflavored types. It reduces cholesterol levels and triglycerides, reduces weight, and raises an individual’s energy levels. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to improve blood circulation. It helps to prevent dementia and contains anti-stress properties. In addition, it strengthens the body’s defense system to prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stroke, ensuring kidney and brain health while relieving fatigue and slowing down aging. Adding lemon or ginger to your green tea enhances its action. Consuming a cup or two of green tea daily benefits the body’s health and wellness.
Ginger tea: Some health benefits of ginger include preventing nausea and vomiting, promoting saliva and gastric juices secretion, improving digestion, aiding in weight loss, and it is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that helps to relieve pre-menstrual and colic pains. Ginger contains components like capsaicin, curcumin, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, which are essential in boosting general health.
Mint tea: This tea, usually made from mint leaves, relieves digestive disorders when a person suffers from bloating, indigestion, pain, inflammation, and nausea. It also relieves migraine pain and improves one's breathing due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It contains a lot of vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B complex. Its calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium components are essential in promoting overall gut health. It improves the functioning of the respiratory system by preventing flu and facilitating mucus expulsion when one has flu. Mint tea is also known to promote good sleep.
Chamomile tea: This tea is made from the chamomile flower and is influential in relieving respiratory disorders and gastric problems. It has anti-inflammatory properties, prevents oxidation of cells, and balances cholesterol levels. It contains flavonoids, which can promote the elasticity of the arteries, hence preventing high blood pressure. When consumed regularly, chamomile tea supports cardiovascular health, treats anxiety disorders, and helps with hyperactivity while promoting good sleep. Moreover, it helps in controlling high blood glucose in diabetic patients. It can be mixed with both mint and lemon to enhance the flavor.
Black tea: This drink is an energizer when one is low on energy. It is known to prevent the formation of dental cavities, lower cholesterol, and relieve fatigue and headaches. Black tea is high in antioxidants, which improve one’s immune system and prevent hair loss. It has anti-inflammatory power, which helps improve blood circulation and lowers fat and cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and uric acid.
Linden tea: This excellent tea has sedative properties that help to promote good sleep. It also has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and anti-spasmodic properties, which make it ideal for relieving nervous system problems, insomnia, stress & anxiety, bronchitis, and topical skin conditions.
Turmeric tea: This tea helps in weight loss and maintenance, especially when combined with ginger and cinnamon. It also helps eliminate pimples and reduce face spots when applied topically as a compress. It has anti-inflammatory properties and components that help in boosting the immune system. Though it cannot be used as a cure, it improves and maintains joint health. It helps to prevent and treat cancer and controls liver damage.
Cinnamon tea: Taking this tea reduces anxiety, strengthens the immune system, and relieves inflammation at the abdominal level. It protects the respiratory tract and improves apathy, listlessness, and depressive states. Cinnamon is also used to make mouthwash to improve oral health.
Oregano tea: This tea relieves nausea and vomiting. It also prevents Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. It has anti-inflammatory properties that make it an excellent drink for relieving respiratory conditions. It contains vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B complex, magnesium, iron, calcium, manganese, copper, and other types of vitamins, making it a powerful antioxidant. Due to its antifungal properties, somebody can use it to treat candidiasis in the digestive and oral systems.
Jamaican tea: This purifying tea made from the hibiscus flower is a powerful antioxidant that not only improves digestion but also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body. Additionally, it stimulates the entire digestive system and reduces insomnia.
Global Peace Women believes women have a critical influence over the family culture. In addition, every family member can contribute to creating a healthy family environment. Our education and service activities in the area of strengthening families work to establish healthy and resilient families that form the cornerstone of peace in the home and society. Learn more about our work in strengthening families.