What is a Good Alternative to Coffee

According to the CDC 30% of Americans have high blood pressure. Another statistic is 54% of Americans over 18 drink coffee according to www.statisticbrain.com . This is somewhat alarming considering that coffee can increase your blood pressure. Coffee has made it’s way into the typical American’s diet. I am sure many people you know would say that they would not start their morning without it. Coffee can be used safely for some and even have health benefits. There are antioxidants and a small amount of nutrients in coffee. The caffeine in coffee can also be effective in burning fat. There is also some research that points toward that it may lower risk for Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's. Even though there are benefits, there are risks as well. Besides increasing blood pressure, coffee can have an addictive nature and cause osteoporosis at high levels due to calcium and magnesium loss. Fortunately there is a safer, and healthier alternative for those at risk.

Ziziphora is a herb in the Lamiaceae family. There are several species some of which are annuals and some are perennials. This herb can be found growing in the Mediterranean basin to Iran. This area would include Palestine/Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Cyprus Iran, Sinai, Balkans, Caucasus, northern Iran, and southern Russia. Ziziphora has earned itself the nicknames, “Blue Mint Bush,” and “Medicinal jewel.” This herb has been studied for several years for it’s medicinal properties. The Uighur people used it for treating hypertension. The Siberian Altay Nomads would come home after a hard day of hunting to drink a cup of Ziziphora tea. There are several known medicinal properties to Ziziphora. Some of these include: anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-vomiting, anti-tumor, stimulant, lowers blood pressure, anti-diarrheal, anti-gas, appetitive, helps insomnia, helps edema, antioxidant, blood purification anti-spasmodic, food stabilizer, food flavorer, anti-fever, anti-fungal, and antibacterial.

Ziziphora has been shown to be twice as effective against Ca. Albicans as Nystatin. Some of the bacteria they have found Ziziphora to be effective against include: gram - bacteria E. Aerogenes, K. Pneumoniae, S. Enleriticlis, Salmonella, and S.Typhimurium, Z. Clinopodioides. Some of the latest research is showing promise to it effectively treating gastric cancers. This has been suggested in a study published in Food and Agricultural Immunology. The trial was put on by researchers from Shahed University in Iran.

Another study investigated the ability of Ziziphora to lower cholesterol factors. This study was call, Studying the Effect of the Ziziphora tenuior L. Plant on Some Biochemical Factors of Serum in Rats. This study was done in 2014 at Islamic Azad University of Shahrekord Branch. This study looked at the chemical factors (HDL, LDL, ALT, AST, Triglycerides, Cholesterol, and Total Protein) of rats’ serum were measured.

There were 2 groups that Ziziphora tenuior L. plant essence was used in different dosages. The 3rd group was the control group. The plant essence was made by drying the leaves of the plant at 25-35 degrees celsius for 3 hours. They were then crushed and extracted. The rats received the plant essence for 21 days. At the end of the period, the amount of Cholesterol, ALT, and Triglyceride factors were significantly reduced in the two groups that received the plant essence. The group that got a higher dosage had an even larger reduction. This shows some positive evidence on Ziziphora’s ability to lower Cholesterol factors.

With all the evidence of the numerous health benefits that Ziziphora herb can bring into your life, I feel it would be worth considering taking advantage of this. One of the easiest ways to reap the herb’s benefits is by drinking tea of Ziziphora. Trading your morning cup of Joe for this tea may be the best decision you could make. This is especially true if you suffer from any heart conditions such as high blood pressure. One example of Ziziphora tea can
be found at Siberian Health . Happy drinking!