Index
The tea from this plant is used to slow down the heartbeat, preventing heart attacks.
First of all, it is good to make it clear that we are talking about tea from the plant with the scientific name Alpinia speciosa . In Brazil, it is popularly known by the name of colony. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, which makes it related to ginger, although distant.
It is also known as macacá, jardineira and macassá, depending on the region of Brazil where it is found. Some scholars argue that this is a plant originating in Brazil, which confronts historical records that claim that the plant came from India.
It is a culturally very rich plant, which is part of indigenous natural medicine and is also used in sacred rituals by various peoples around the world.
Its leaves are lanceolate, very long, pointed and bright green in color; the flowers are orange in color and produce fleshy rhizomes very similar to ginger , even with a similar aroma.
See below the main benefits of cologne tea and be surprised by what science has been able to prove about this plant!
Benefits of cologne
Cologne tea is traditionally used to cure or treat various ailments. Among the main popular benefits, medicine was able to prove the main ones. Therefore, see below the list with the medicinal advantages of consuming this tea:
- Fight and eliminate parasites
- It’s cardiodepressant
- Prevents and fights ulcers
- It’s anti-inflammatory
- Prevents cancer and other diseases
- lowers blood pressure
- Improves and prolongs sleep
See how amazing the list of benefits of cologne is? However, it is important to make clear that these are the benefits provided by science to date. Of course there are other healthy advantages, but these are still being studied or tested.
See also: Teas that make you sleepy
Therefore, we chose those that were mentioned because there is already a scientific basis that proves them. In this way, we make sure that all of these are based on original and certified research and studies. Below, you’ll learn more about each.
Learn more about the benefits
Now you will see a little more about each of the benefits listed above. This is also where you will confirm that all these benefits are true. Information is based on scientific sources and official research. Check out our scientific references at the end of the article!
Fight and eliminate parasites
First of all, a Brazilian study was able to prove that the colony has a relevant action when it comes to combating parasites (1). The research result defined the colony as a potent natural antiparasitic food .
Parasites are small beings that can enter our body to take advantage of, many times, the nutrients in our body or even our organs. Everything gets worse when they reproduce within our system. Fighting them is necessary for good health.
It was even pointed out that the colony’s properties are capable of fighting Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas and Leishmania brasiliensis Vianna. These parasites are responsible for serious illnesses, such as Chagas disease, which can lead to death.
It’s cardiodepressant
The colony is cardio-depressant (2, 6), but do you know what a cardio-depressant food is? These are foods that contain substances capable of reducing the excitability of the heart’s movements . That is, foods that can “soothe” the heart, popularly speaking.
The colony is one of the rare plants that have this effect. And if you think the cardio-depressant action is not important, know that it can save many lives. In times of stress or high stress, heart rate increases and puts elderly people, people with nervous system disorders and heart patients at risk.
Consuming cologne is a great natural option to calm the heart at these times, which can remove the risk of heart attacks from these patients , for example.
Prevents and fights ulcers
Another benefit of the colony proven by science is its anti- ulcer action (3). An Indian study confirmed this benefit by analyzing the pharmaceutical uses of plants of the Alpinia species.
In addition, the plant also brings in its composition other properties that are good for digestion and for the stomach.
It’s anti-inflammatory
The same Indian study (from the previous benefit) obtained proof that the colony, as well as its relatives of the Alpinia family , are plants with anti-inflammatory capacity (3).
Thus, the cologne tea can help in the treatment and recovery of inflammatory diseases and relieve the famous pain caused by these diseases.
See also: Anti-inflammatory teas
Prevents cancer and other diseases
Some studies prove that the colony has an antioxidant effect (3, 5). Thus, it helps to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other degenerative diseases , for example.
A Japanese study, in particular, attributes this colony benefit to some substances present in the plant that act similar to beta-carotene (4).
Antioxidant foods are important because they help to inhibit the action of free radicals, preventing the onset of disease and bringing other general health benefits.
Free radicals are substances that hinder the healthy cycle of cells, which opens the door to several serious diseases. Many of them, without a cure.
lowers blood pressure
A Brazilian study conducted laboratory research on rats and found that cologne has the benefit of lowering blood pressure (6). Thus, this natural drink is able to help treat high blood pressure.
Improves and prolongs sleep
Another benefit of cologne is that it helps you sleep longer and longer (6). That’s right, we are talking about a natural remedy for insomnia and sleep disorders, such as sleep disruption, for example.
First of all, sleep is very important for quality of life and health. Therefore, sleeping poorly has negative symptoms for the body in general and increases the risk of various diseases. It is also proven that sleep disturbances can cause irreversible damage to the nervous system, for example.
Therefore, the natural treatment made with cologne consists of drinking 1 cup of tea every night for a month, about 1 hour before bedtime.
cologne tea recipe
There is no secret when it comes to making natural cologne tea. The recipe is very simple. You will only need hot water, plant leaves and a colander. Follow the instructions below:
- Heat 1 cup of water in a pot/kettle.
- When it boils, turn off the heat and add 1 tablespoon of chopped cologne leaves.
- Cover for 10 minutes.
- Then strain and drink without sweetening.
In short, it is recommended to consume this tea 1 time a day . The best times to consume it are in the afternoon snack or 1 hour before bedtime.
However, the tea should have a yellowish color . If it doesn’t have this color, don’t drink it. Different colors of the drink can signify oxidation of the active principles of the plant, which eliminates the benefits and, on top of that, it has a very bitter taste.
See also: Tea to relax: Check out the best teas that soothe
Care and contraindications
Despite being a natural drink, cologne tea is contraindicated for some people. This happens due to some properties of the plant, which are dangerous or harmful for some groups. Therefore, you should avoid cologne: pregnant women, people with low blood pressure, nursing mothers and young children .
