Appraising Herbal Tea as a Medicated and Nutritive drink

Vijaya S. Rabade¹*, Shailju G. Gurunani¹, Dinesh R. Chaple²

¹Assistant Professor, Priyadarshini J. L. College of Pharmacy, Electronic Zone, Nagpur, 440016, Maharashtra, India.

²Professor and Principal, Priyadarshini J. L. College of Pharmacy, Electronic zone, Nagpur, 440016, Maharashtra, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: vijayarabade24@gmail.com

Received on 10.03.2016 Modified on 20.03.2016

Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2016; 9(5): 613-616.

DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2016.00117.7

ABSTRACT:

The evaluation of herbals and herbal products has been geared up in (16^th century). But for many herbs and herbal products scientific and inconsistent results are still lacking. The pharmacognostic, physico- chemical, qualitative, quantitative and biological evaluations are the important parameters for preparing monographs and standardize the individual herb and their products. The evaluation and standardization of several herbal products are reported in many of resources but exploring the Indian herbal tea with scientific data is rarely reported. The tea and herbal tea serves as prevalent and focal point of social gatherings. Herbal tea serves as a therapeutic and nutritional drink. Depending upon the chemical constituents present in the plant material use to prepare herbal tea makes it a medicated drink. The herbal tea can be further modified as per its pharmacological activity such as antidiabetic, antispasmodic, anti obesity, anti stress, anti ulcer, anti ageing, anti oxidants, coolant and many more. Thus, there is need for a detail review of the work done to evaluate physicochemical parameter, qualitative and quantitative screening of phytoconstituents present in several herbal teas available in the Indian market under the several brands.

KEYWORDS: Herbal tea, pharmacological activity, nutritional drink, quantitative and qualitative evaluations.

INTRODUCTION:

Tea is one of the most popular beverage, consumed daily in almost all domestic, social and official gathering. It is a preparation which boosts up immunity, keeps active, rejuvenates cells it relieves stress, fatigueness, tiredness and anxiety ¹. Herbal teas are made from the infusion and decoction of various herbs, spices which usually does not contain caffeine. These drinks are distinguished from caffeinated teas which are prepared from the curled leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, as well as from decaffeinated tea, in which the caffeine has been removed. In addition to serving as a beverage, many herbal teas are also consumed for their perceived medicinal benefits.

The term herbal tea is really a misnomer, as herbal teas don't actually contain any tea (Camellia sinesis) leaves. All teas harvested from the tea bush will contain caffeine. It is a natural part of the plant. The proper name for an herbal blend is 'Tisane.' Herbal Tisanes ("teas") are made up of various flowers, herbs, spices, and dried fruits which are naturally caffeine free; such as chamomile flowers, lemongrass, basil, rose buds, etc. Frequently herbs, spices, or fruits will be added to an actual tea for flavoring (such as Chai tea). If there is no tea listed in the herbal blend, then there is no caffeine, but if tea is one of the ingredients, it will contain caffeine². Bhat R.B. has done an investigation of herbal medicinal teas from Western Cape, South Africa was conducted to assess the varieties of herbal teas used to treat various ailments. Each packet of medicinal tea is a blend of carefully selected four or more herbs which are commonly grown in the organic garden in an ancient valley near the southernmost tip of South Africa and some indigenous herbs picked up in the nearby mountains. The teas are specific for the diseased organ/s and also include the herbs to support and strengthen the systems serving the ailing organ/s. The study shows that there are about twenty-one different types of herbal teas, and the packets of 50 g each are sold in South African markets under the trade names of Arthritea, Asthmitea, Constipatea, Detoxtea, Diabetea, Dietea, Energetea, Flootea, Hangovertea, Heartburntea, Hi Lo B P Tea, Indigestea, Kidneytea, Liveritea, Relaxitea, Sleepitea, Slimtea, Tranquilitea, Tummytea, Ulcertea, and Voomatea. They include 28 herbal species belonging to 12 families. The efficacy of herbal teas and use of traditional remedies are held with high esteem in South Africa³.

Walch S.G., has reported the methodology utilizing ¹H-NMR spectroscopy for analyzing terpenes, major polyphenolic compounds, total antioxidant property of sage tea and tincture available in German market. In this paper, it is shown that 1H-NMR spectroscopy can provide quantitative information necessary to judge the quality of medicinal and food sage products in a short analysis period. All important health-relevant compounds could be identified and quantified using a single methodology. Furthermore, NMR can be applied to a wide range of sage matrices ranging from medicinal tinctures to herbal teas ⁴.

Plantega M.W., has reported the metabolic effects of several spices, teas and caffeine. The author had mentioned the consumption of spiced foods or herbal drinks leads to greater thermogenesis and in some cases to greater satiety. In this regard, capsaicin, black pepper, ginger, mixed spices, green tea, black tea and caffeine are relevant examples. These functional ingredients have the potential to produce significant effects on metabolic targets such as satiety, thermogenesis, and fat oxidation. A significant clinical outcome sometimes may appear straight forwardly but also depends too strongly on full compliance of subjects. Nevertheless, thermogenic ingredients may be considered as functional agents that could help in preventing a positive energy balance and obesity⁵. Rusaczonek A. has determined the antioxidant properties of tea and herbal infusions and the content of total polyphenols. The research material were teas and herbal teas available in retail trade, i.e.: Camellia sinensis teas such as green, black, Pu-erh and white tea as well as herbal teas from lemon balm leaves (Folium Melissae), peppermint leaves (Folium Menthae Piperitae) and chamomile (Anthodium Chamomillae). The antioxidant activity was determined with a spectrophotometric method using synthetic cationradicals ABTS•+ and expressed as TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity). The total polyphenol content was measured by using a Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and the results obtained were expressed as GAE (Gallic Acid Equivalent). It was observed that the antioxidant proprieties of the herbal teas examined were considerably lower in comparison with those of the Camellia sinensis teas with a similar content of total polyphenols. A positive linear correlation was found between polyphenols content and antioxidant properties of individual teas and herbal teas. Among the examined teas and herbal teas, green tea, white tea and black tea were characterised by the highest, whereas chamomile, peppermint and Pu-erh tea – by the lowest antioxidant activity⁶.

Das M. et.al. reported the effect of hot water extract of green tea on skeletal muscle and its neurotransmission was studied employing innervated and denervated rat diaphragm. Green tea extract (GTE) has a facilitatory effect at lower concentrations and a paralytic effect at higher concentrations on skeletomotor function. GTE did not have any effect on direct twitch responses or on acetylcholine (ACh) and KCl induced contractures of denervated rat diaphragm and it antagonised the submaximal paralytic effect of D-tubocurarine and decamethonium. GTE-induced facilitation and inhibition were nullified in the presence of magnesium chloride. Nifedipine, reduced GTE-induced facilitation as well as inhibition of twitch responses as a function of its concentration. It was suggested that GTE might act on Ca2+ channels at the skeletomotor junction. The effect of crude polyphenol on neuromuscular junctions was found to be similar to that of GTE. Therefore, it is suggested that the crude polyphenol content of GTE was the active constituent responsible for its effect on neuromuscular junction^7.

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has published a monograph on evaluation, reporting scientific evidences for 10 common herbal tea preparations and their effectiveness. They have also reported the safety profile drug- herb interaction rate, side effect profiles, and suggested dose profile ⁸. The present paper highlights the several marketed brands of herbal teas and their medicinal plant content.

Table 1: Different brands of herbal teas in Indian market.

An ideal herbal tea may be a mixture of the medicinal plants given in Table 2 which are very important but an individual escapes in the daily diet recommended for a healthy person. Thus, the data given in table no. 2 can be used to prepare an ideal medicinal and nutritive herbal tea.

Table 1. Shows the different brands of herbal teas in the Indian market highlighting the composition of herbs in it.

SR. NO	BRAND NAME	HERBAL TEA	COMPOSITION
1	Organic India	Tulsi Green Tea	Green Tea, Tulsi
		Tulsi Ginger Tea	Tulsi, Ginger
		Tulsi Jasmine Tea	Green Tea, Jasmine
		Tulsi Sweet Rose	Tulsi, Rose Petals, Cardamom, Chamomile, Peppermint.
2	Himalaya Herbal Tea	Green Tea	Green Tea
3.	Lipton Tea	Peppermint Herbal Tea	Peppermint, Green Tea
	Lipton Tea	Bedtime Story Herbal Tea	chamomile flowers and mint
		Pineapple Chamomile Herbal Tea	Pineapple, Chamomile, Green Tea
		Orange Blossom Hibiscus Herbal Tea	Orange Blossom, Hibiscus
		Blackberry Vanilla Herbal Tea	Blackberry, Vanilla
4	Jiva Ayurvedic Chai		Cinnamon, Fenugreek and Basil brew, Licorice
5	Tulip Herbals	Pragya Peya	Tulsi, Tejpatta, Fennel, Cinnamon, Liquorice, Lalchandan, Arjuna Bark, Lemongrass Bramhi, Nagarmotha Shankhapushpi, Sharpunkha

Table 2: Different herbs which can be used to prepare herbal tea

Sr. no	Plant name and part used	Botanical name	Phytoconstituents	Function
1	Star Anise Flower	Illicium Verum Schisandraceae	Shikimic Acid, Anethol	Antispasmodic, Anti-Flu
2	Fennel Fruit	Foeniculum Vulgare Miller Umbelliferae	Anethol, Foeniculoside I	Digestive Aid
3	Licorice Root	Glycyrrhiza Glabra Fabaceae	Anethole	Cough, Asthma And Heartburn
4	Bay Leaf	Cinnamomum Tamala Lauraceae	1,8-cineole, sesquiterpenes	Digestive, rich antioxidant, cold and infection
5	Nutmeg Fruit	Myristica Fragrans Myristicaceae	Camphene, Myristicin	Bactericide And Fungicide
6	Rosemary Leaves	Rosmarinus Officinalis Lamiaceae,	Rosmarinic Acid	Anti-Inflammatory, Memory Enhancer
7	Thyme Leaves	Thymus Vulgaris Lamiaceae	Thymol, Flavonoids Apigenin, Naringenin, Luteolin, And Thymonin	Anticancer, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti Aging
8	Mint Leaves	Mentha Piperita Lamiaceae	Mentha, Menthone	Digestive Ailments
9	Holy Basil Leaves	Ocimum Sanctum Labiateae	Ursolic Acid	Asthma, Diabetes, Upper Respiratory Infections
10	Ginger Rhizome	Zingiber Officinale Zingiberaceae	Zingerone, Shogaols, Gingerols	Motion Sickness, Cough
11	Cinnamon Bark	Cinnamomum Verum Lauraceae .	Cinnamic Acid	Reduce Cholesterol, Lower Blood Sugar Levels In People With Type 2 Diabetes
12	Ashwagandha	Withania Somnifera Solanaceae	Withanolides, Withaferin A,	Anti-Anxiety, Anti-Inflammation, Immunostimulant
13	Chamomile Leaves	Matricaria Chamomilla Asteraceae	Apigenin, Alpha-Bisabolol.	Anxiolytic, Sedative, Infant Colic
14	Lemon Balm	Melissa Officinalis Lamiaceae	Ursolic Acid, Quercetin	Anxiety, Restlessness
15	Caraway Fruit	Carum Carvi Apiaceae	Limonene, Carvone	Breath Freshener,
16	Dill Seeds	Anethum Graveolens Apiaceae.	Α Phellandrene, Limonene	Stomachic, Liver Problems, Jaundice, Headache
17	Hibiscus Sepals	Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Malvaceae	Anthocyanins	Antihypertensive
18	Neem Leaves	Azadirachta Indica Meliaceae	Azadirachtin, Nimbin, Quercetin	Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Anti Protozoal
19	Amla Fruit	Phyllanthus Emblica Phyllanthaceae	Ascorbic Acid, Ellagitannins	Vitamin C Supplement
20	Long Pepper Fruit	Piper Longum Piperaceae,	Piperene	Bioavailability Enhancer
21	Lotus Flower	Nelumbo Nucifera Nelumbonaceae	Flavonol	Anticancer
22	Shankhapushpi Leaves	Clitoria Ternatea Fabaceae	Sankhapushpine, B- sitosterol, Kaempferol, N- hexacosanol, Hydroxy Cinnamic acid	Memory Enhancer, Nootropic, Antistress, Anxiolytic, Antidepressant,
23	Brahmi Leaves	Bacopa Monnieri. Plantaginaceae	Bacosides	Memory Enhancer
24	Senna Leaves	Senna Alexandrina Fabaceae	Glycoside	Laxative

Thus, the several medicated and nutritive tea can be formulated as herbal tea containing medicinal value due to the presence of phytoconstituents possessing antidiabetic, antispasmodic, anti obesity, anti stress, anti ulcer, anti ageing, anti oxidants property. These shall provide several recommended nutrients through a single formulation to the society.

CONCLUSION:

Consumption of tea as a beverage, health drink needs to be promoted for research and its publication. The detailed literature survey was done and it was found that

there is need to explore the marketed tea powders for their morphological, physicochemical, phytochemical, and quantitative parameters. The plant Camellia sinensis have various pharmacological activities which are beneficial for human society. It refreshes our mind and stimulates the central nervous system. Several herbal teas are also available in market which does not contain plant Camellia sinensis can be served as medicated herbal tea. In our busy life schedule usually we fail to consume the nutritive herbs required for our body so tea is the best medium through which we can take many more herbal extract in a sip of tea.

REFERENCES:

1. Weinberg, BA and Bonnie KB., The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug. Psychology press. 2001; pp.63.

2. Heiss ML and Heiss RJ, The story of tea: a cultural history and drinking guide. Citing Mondal. 2007; pp 519.

3. Bhat RB and Moskovitz G, Herbal Medicinal Teas From South Africa. International Journal of Experimental Botany, 78; 2009: 67-73.

4. Walch S, Lachenmeier D, Kuballa T, Stühlinger W , Monakhova Y, Holistic Control of Herbal Teas and Tinctures Based on Sage (Salvia Officinalis L.) For Compounds With Beneficial And Adverse Effects Using NMR Spectroscopy. Analytical Chemistry Insights, 7; 2012:1-12.

5. Plantenga MW, Diepvens K, Joosen AM, Berube-Parent S , Tremblay A, Metabolic Effects of Spices, Teas, and Caffeine. Physiology & Behavior. 89; 2006: 85–91

6. Rusaczonek A, Swiderski F, Waszkiewicz-Robak B, Antioxidant Properties of Tea and Herbal Infusions – A Short Report. Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences 60 (1);2010: 33-35.

7. Das M, Vedasiromoni JR, Chauhan SP, Ganguly DK. Effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract on the rat diaphragm. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 57(3); 1997 :197-201.

8. Anonymous, Suppliment Sampler, published by University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1^st edition, 2007.