As an avid tea drinker, I’m always looking for herbal concoctions that taste good. For me, it is the fruit selections that bring a smile to my face. In this article, we will explore some of the herbal ingredients found in Celestial Seasonings “Black Cherry Berry” tea selection.
Did you know that some of these commercial teas include flowers in their making?
When drinking Black Cherry Berry tea from Celestial Seasonings, there is a wealth of ingredients that can aid in a host of health concerns. The tea contains the following additions: hibiscus, rosehips, roasted chicory, blackberry leaves, hawthorn berries, natural black cherry flavor with other natural flavors, chamomile, and sweet cherries. Below you will learn about hawthorn berries and roasted chicory:
Hawthorn Berries
When it comes to hawthorn berries, there are a couple of species to consider, such as dried shan zha. Possessing fewer cardiac-healthy properties than the flowering tops, dried hawthorn berries have played an important role in Western herbal medicine. When suffering from diarrhea, the berries become of help. When the berries ripen, harvesting in the late part of the summer or early fall is needed.
In China, the berries are referred to as shan zha and are mostly taken when food issues arise. If you are suffering from abdominal bloating, the berries provide an effective remedy. Indigestion and flatulence also
respond positively to the workings of the berries. It is thought that hawthorn berries can move the blood from stagnated parts of the body, which also becomes of use during childbirth. If diarrhea gets out of hand, partially charred shan zha can treat the problem.
The berries of hawthorn can be made into decoctions, capsules, and juices depending on the type you possess. For instance, the Oxycantha or Monohyna species creates a decoction that treats diarrhea, as well as hypertension when coupled with ju hua and gou qi zi. You may add 30 grams of berries to two cups of water to create a decoction for 15 minutes. As for the preparation of the juice, fresh berries are used to create a cardiac tonic. The juice may also treat diarrhea, poor digestion, and be used as a general tonic to ease digestive woes.
The Pinnatifida species can be made into a decoction or capsules. 10 to 20 grams of the berries should be combined with two cups of water with the addition of zhi ke, which can control abdominal bloating. When paired with dan shen or dang gui, the pain that comes from menstrual cycles and post partum can be treated. Powdered berries that are mixed with san qi powder can treat abdominal pain that has occurred from blood stagnation. Painful angina also responds to hawthorn berry capsules.
Roasted Chicory
It is the root of the chicory that is used to promote the laxative and diuretic properties of this herbal remedy. Roasted chicory also makes an effective tonic.