BALTIMORE -- Many people love to drink tea, but did you know it can be used as a medicine? Tea is one of the most ancient forms of medication that can be used for many problems, WBAL-TV 11 News Health Alert reporter Donna Hamilton reported.
Naturopathic Dr. Mimi Palenque says tea -- long favored in Asian countries as not only the favorite drink, but also as medicine -- can be powerful stuff.
"Most teas are herbs, roots, bark, it's all related to medicine, even western medicine," Palenque said.
That's why Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center decided to install a tea bar inside their new Medi-Spa, where people can find the tea that's just right for many ailments.
"In alternative medicine, I like to check your internal organs, find out which areas need energy," Palenque said.
For Hamilton, Palenque suggested a combination of green tea, a powerful antioxidant, and white peony tea.
"It has a very sweet taste and will also work on your hormones, hormonal health is a beautiful thing," Palenque said.
And the teas served aren't found in a supermarket, the hospital has a license to carry them. Among the teas include:
- Morning star herbal infusion: fights infection, helps digestion and suppresses the appetite
- A flavored green Chai for the immune system, weight loss and diabetes support
So how do they taste?
"They're all totally different, but my favorite is the flowery smelling and tasting white peony tea," Hamilton said.
Tea experts advise medicinal teas should be taken plain, without sweeteners. And you should always be guided by an expert.
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