Borneol: Essential oil in chrysanthemum plant

Borneol (C10H18O) is a bicyclic organic compound and a terpene derivative. The hydroxyl group in this compound is placed in an endo position.

Being chiral, borneol exists as two enantiomers. Both (+)-borneol (older name d-borneol) and (−)-borneol (l-borneol) are found in nature. Borneol is described as pungent, bitter, and slightly cold.

Borneol’s sources include natural extracts and artificial synthesis. Natural borneol has been widely used in food, medicine, cosmetics, and other industries.

Borneol is one of the valuable medical material, senior aromatic spices, chemical materials, has been used in food and also folk medicine in China and India.

It is a premium ingredient to treat heart disease, coma and respiratory problems; improve digestive system; relieve pain; and promote relaxation.
Borneol: Essential oil in chrysanthemum plant

Health benefits of herbal drinks: Chrysanthemum tea

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat is a perennial flowering plant widely cultivated for use in a tea infusion and as a popular beverage due to its desirable taste and aroma.

As a mixture with other herbs, it has been claimed to be able to relieve migraines and eye irritation, improve vision, and cure keratitis.

The essential oils in chrysanthemum include borneol, camphor, and cineole, as well as other aromatic compounds. The flavones are considered valuable for promoting circulation; they may also have a role in protecting the lens of the eye in diabetic patients (by inhibiting the enzyme aldose reductase). The essential oils have antimicrobial activity and may explain the use of chrysanthemum for treating skin infections; the herb is considered especially useful for inhibiting staphylococcus.

Apart from the traditional usages, there are also reports of other usage, such as antitumor activities. Further, it has reported health benefits as chrysanthemum flowers possess anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, sedative, anti-arthritic,and anti-hypertensive effects.

The curing rates of ulcerative colitis and hypertension are reported to be more than 90% and 80% respectively. Chrysanthemum water extract was found to significantly inhibit growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice, suggesting that the water-soluble components of chrysanthemum may have potent chemopreventive effects.

It was also proved to be effective to inhibit the agglutination of blood platelet and promote the myocardial blood circulation and white cell phagocytosis, and therefore it was used to treat many diseases such as furuncle.

Although chrysanthemum is considered to be a “mild” herb and almost with no side effect in traditional medical practice, adverse effect has been reported with its flowers, and leaves may cause skin dermatitis.

Chrysanthemum flowers have also been demonstrated to produce various types of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and lignans, which have exhibited diverse biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, neuro-protective, and anti-allergic activities.

The properties and concentrations of such constituents are responsible for the functional characteristics of chrysanthemum.

Health benefits of herbal drinks: Chrysanthemum tea

Reasons to Drink Herbal Teas

Reasons to Drink Herbal Teas
Apart from the wonderful tastes from some herbal teas there are other reasons why folks chose to drink these over the traditional leaves. Herbal teas have long been associated with good health and wellbeing. The soothing, relaxing, and medicinal properties that can be brewed out of such herbs as Ginger, Thyme, Peppermint and Parsley, are legendary.

Homemade herbal teas are not only simple to make, but they're cheap too. There's also growing proof that they provide effective remedies for a whole range of ailments.

If you're anything like me and you have a spot of bother nodding off a night, try a cup of Chamomile tea which has a natural sedative. It's worked wonders for me and I wake up fresh and alert each and every morning nowadays. Well, almost! But Chamomile tea is also said to have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties too, so it's good for those cramps that some of us get from time to time. But that’s not all. Chamomile is rich in essential oil, and what that means is that it helps to keep your digestive system functioning correctly.

Jasmine tea is made using green tea leaves and jasmine flowers and is said to have strong spiritual powers. The tea is made by resting the leaves next to the powerfully scented Jasmine flowers to capture the aroma. The smell is just delightful, and the tea is used for its relaxing effects, and to also soothe the digestive system. Recent studies have also indicated that it may help to reduce cholesterol levels, and increase life expectancy.

Another popular herbal tea is Ginger. Ginger is renowned for its powerful medicinal properties. Additionally, it has been listed as an aphrodisiac and can also be used to cure bad breath. However, treating the latter probably helps with the former!

To make Ginger tea, simply cut three or four slices of peeled, fresh root ginger and chop finely. As a guide, you will need about a heaped teaspoon or more for one cup. Place the ginger in a china cup, cover with freshly boiled water, and leave to infuse for about 5 minutes. Other medicinal properties of the ginger root are reputed to help improve circulation, relieve a sore throat, stop motion sickness, dizziness, and relieve muscular aches and pains.

All herbal teas are made by finely chopping or shredding the leaves or roots. They are then placed in a cup, covered with boiling water and allowed to infuse for a few minutes just as the ginger tea recipe above. Herbal teas should be drunk slowly. Some folks like to add a bit of honey as a sweetener. If you are taking herbal tea for medicinal purposes, it's recommended to drink about 4 cups daily.
Reasons to Drink Herbal Teas
By Andy Maingam
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com