by Kimberly H. Crosby

Traditional herbs and medications have started to become a primary choice for many people to keep themselves healthy and to alleviate ailments. People believe that unlike chemical drugs, traditional medicine is more effective, less expensive and side effects free. Green ginseng tea is one of the drinks that have recently become popular.

This tea combines two powerful natural herbs from Asia, ginseng and the green tea. Both of them have been popular in East Asia as effective herbs for centuries. These ingredients are believed to be able to keep you healthy and cure some illnesses.

Recent researches have proven that green tea has many health benefits. This tea is a very powerful antioxidant. Antioxidant helps to neutralize the free radicals that are mostly found in polluted air or water which causes cancer and premature aging. This tea is also believed to be effective in reducing cholesterol and inflammation.

Ginseng is the ultimate ingredient in the traditional medicine for East Asian people. It is believed to strengthen your body, cure illnesses, and increase your energy. Many people also drink it as aphrodisiac. Ginseng is widely used in herbal remedies and cooking in Asia.

There are three types of ginseng. Asian ginseng is the most commonly used. This ginseng gives energy and stimulation to the drinker. Unlike the Asian counterpart, the American ginseng soothes and calms the body. Siberian ginseng has some health benefits. However it is not a true ginseng as it does not come from the Panax genus.

Asian ginseng consists of the red ginseng or the red Panax, and the white ginseng or the white Panax. White Panax is cheaper and less potent than the red one. Some manufacturers also try to sell Siberian ginseng as Asian ginseng to gain more profit since Siberian ginseng costs less than genuine Asian ginseng. Therefore, a customer should read the ingredient list before making a purchase.

As a customer, you also need to know about the types of green teas. In general, there are two types of green tea. The most popular one comes from Japan and is called matcha. The other type is the jasmine green tea. Although both are believed to be antioxidants, the Japanese matcha is more popular and is thought as more powerful.

These ingredients works even better if they are combined together. Green ginseng tea has more benefits than drinking the tea and ginseng separately. One of the health benefits that is unique to this powerful herbal tea is heightened immune system.

Gift baskets are becoming more and more popular these days. The idea of such a gift is fun not only to the recipient but also to the preparer. What sort of goodies are hiding beneath the cellophane wrapping? Baskets are perfect for just about anyone on your gift list. And since tea is also becoming more appreciated for its health benefits, why not put together a gift basket full of exotic teas?

You may be surprised to learn just how many kinds of tea there are. It may sound overwhelming but actually gives you the chance to be really creative with your basket. Your gift recipient may be surprised to find so many teas he or she never even heard of.

A good basket theme is teas of specific type. Varieties for the theme can be all green teas, or black, white, Oolong or herbal teas. This will give the person a way to experience teas from all over the world that they may otherwise never even be aware of.

White tea is a low caffeine tea and full of antioxidants. Green tea is lighter in taste and also has little caffeine. Black tea is strong tasting and has a lot of caffeine. Oolong tea lies somewhere in between black and green and is very fruity and fragrant. Levels of caffeine and strength of flavor will vary within Oolongs based depending on how much is it oxidized. Herbal tea is sort of an infusion that is made up of things other than tea leaves. It may be comprised of dried flowers, herbs and roots.

Most tea companies offer flavored tea of all varieties. So, if you decided to make a basket full of various green teas for example, you can spruce it up with different flavors such as cinnamon, cheery and raspberry. A black tea basket might include flavors like cinnamon apple, lemon-berry and orange. Including a few non-flavored teas is also a good idea.

Another idea for your tea gift basket motif is teas from certain areas of the world or specific countries. A basket of tea from Japan, China or India can be quite varied. Choosing a region like South America or Africa will yield many options too. Hawaiian tea is also a good theme and you will have plenty to pick from, especially Oolong and green tea.

To complete the basket, you may want to add some utensils like spoons, thermometers, tea timers, serving cups or serving trays. Iced tea items like pitchers or tumblers would also be nice. You will also be able to find sets, like a bamboo tea tool kit including demi spoon, whisk, scoop and tongs for handling hot lids all inside a nice holder.

by Lewis Currin

What easier way is there to lose weight than drinking a cup or two of tea every day? Is it that simple? Green tea can indeed help you reach your weight loss goals but you still need to watch your diet and get enough exercise. However, this amazing food can really make the process easier, especially if you are consistent about using it. The following details how green tea will benefit your weight loss safely.

It's an undeniable fact that to lose weight you need to burn calories. While you still need regular exercise and a good diet, there are some foods, including green tea, that have been shown to speed up your metabolism. Green tea provides you with energy which is how it helps you lose weight. Green tea is a safe and natural stimulant that will help you recover from a workout and give you an energy boost. Using green tea to maintain your energy levels is much healthier and safer than most other beverages and supplements taken for this purpose.

There aren't many foods that help you burn fat but green tea is one of them. Many people assume that this is simply because it contains caffeine, like many diet supplements, but the fact is that green tea has fat burning properties that go beyond its caffeine content. Studies have shown green tea's high levels of antioxidants have a greater effect on your metabolism than the caffeine. This means you can get the same benefits from decaffeinated green tea.

Another helpful characteristic of green tea is that it not only helps you to lose weight, but it can help you to keep it off. This is in part because green tea can be safely used for long periods unlike other diet supplements. So once you've reached your weight loss goals, there is no reason to stop drinking green tea It can even help you maintain your exercise routine because it provides an energy boost. With all these health benefits, it makes sense to make green tea a permanent part of your diet. Of all the choices in weight loss supplements, green tea is the ideal choice.

The benefits of green tea are impressive especially when considering how inexpensive it is. And if you don't like tea, green tea is available in a pill supplement as well. If you are consistent about taking this natural beverage, and you also maintain a lifestyle that supports your weight loss goals, you will find that burning calories isn't nearly as hard as it used to be.