A visit to a well-known tea parlor in old Delhi opened a whole new world of tea infusions, flavored teas and herbal teas called Tisane. The world of herbal teas extends much beyond our realms of imaginations and there is a variety of aromatic teas available which not only have health benefits but also delectable flavors.

Tisanes, as herbal teas are known, resemble the common tea and are similarly brewed in boiling water but they do not have the tea leaf from Camellia Sinensis bush. For over 5,000 years herbal teas have been part of the tradition and culture around the globe.

Tisanes can be made from the mixture of fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, grasses, nuts, barks etc according to their health benefits and taste.

For anyone who suffers from overwork, overindulgence, nervousness, chronic fatigue, low libido or restlessness, the medicinal herb, ashwagandha, may be a good choice for you, as a general herbal tonic.  Ashwagandha, also known as “Winter Cherry” has been used in traditional Indian and African medicine for centuries.  The plant contains chemicals that work as a restorative element, to help combat the effects of daily stress and to strengthen the immune system after an illness. 

Ashwagandha is a unique herb with anti-stress adaptogenic action that helps us cope with the stress of everyday life.  It promotes the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis, resist stress and stimulate the immune system. Ashwagandha prevents or minimizes imbalances from; poor diet, lack of sleep, mental or physical strain, or chemical toxins in the environment, which can lead to disease. It is especially beneficial in stress related disorders such as hypertension, high blood pressure and insomnia. 

Evening snacking is probably one of our biggest dieting challenges when trying to lose weight or even maintain our weight. Evening snacking often sabotages our diets because it can often lead to unhealthy binge eating. All food cravings are diet-killers, but the ones that hit you at night seem to be the toughest to overcome.

According to a recent USDA study, overweight adults tend to eat significantly more calories at night than normal-weight adults, but they eat only slightly more calories at other times of the day. Another recent study from the University of Texas showed that it’s much easier to overeat at night, mainly because late-night snacking seems less satisfying than snacking earlier in the day. Other studies have found that many people eat close to 50% of their daily calories at night!