Bergenia tea is known by different names in different countries: Chaga / Chigir tea, Mongolian / Siberian tea, Badan, Baikal / Altai tea, etc. This drink is truly unique both in its taste and medicinal properties.
By the way, this is the only naturally fermented tea in the world. So, we invite you to read on and familiarize yourself with the preparation of Bergenia tea and its other features.
Bergenia
The birthplace of Bergenia is the region of Central Asia, China, Kazakhstan. Here, it grows naturally in meadows, forests, and mountain slopes. Bergenia (Bergenia) belongs to the family of rock plants.
It is a perennial herbaceous plant. The rhizome is thick, with lateral growths, red or pink in color. Bergenia grows to a height of 50-70 cm. The leaves are round, leathery, shiny or matte. Wintering. Bergenia is an evergreen plant.
Bergenia blooms in spring or mid-summer. The flowers are small, pink, red, pink, white, lilac, concentrated in dense umbrella-shaped inflorescences. The fruit is a box.
It is a very hardy plant, which is why it is often grown in flower gardens, graves, and urban gardens. Bergenia is not afraid of droughts, a shaded place is perfect for it. The plant produces broad foliage and decorative flowers.
It is interesting that bergenias were distributed in urban greenery in preparation for atomic war, because they are resistant even to radioactive substances and grow in practically any conditions.
What is special about collecting raw materials for Bergenia tea?
As we can see, bergenia is truly an extraordinary plant. However, these are not all of its unique features. As we mentioned in the introduction, Bergenia tea is the only naturally fermented tea in the world. All other teas require human intervention for fermentation.
Unlike many other medicinal plants, bergenia leaves for tea are collected immediately after the snow melts. Usually, in March. And not the beautiful and healthy leaves of the plant are collected, but those that have overwintered during the winter: withered, browned, at least 3 years old. Such bergenia leaves have already naturally fermented and are suitable for making tea.
Tea from younger leaves will be less tasty, less aromatic, weaker and have poorer medicinal properties.
Bergenia leaf drying
Collected bergenia leaves are washed under running water. You need to wash quickly so that they don’t get wet. Washed leaves are placed on a sieve to drain and dry. After that, they are laid out in a thin layer on a cloth or paper for drying.
It is great if it is placed not on the ground or on a table, but on a grill for better air circulation. The room where the bergenia leaves are dried must be well ventilated, dry, out of direct sunlight.
The leaves to be dried need to be carefully looked after, turned over, because they are thick, moist, and can become moldy and moldy. It is recommended to crush the dried ones by hand and store them in a tightly closed glass container. Suitable for use for 2 years.
Freshly dried bergenia leaves are light brown, two-year-old – brown. o When stored for three years, they acquire a black color.
Bergenia tea: color and taste
Depending on the degree of leaf fermentation, Bergenia tea is divided into:
- black;
- green;
- white;
- ulong
Black bergenia tea is prepared from the oldest leaves of the plant. Compared to other types of Bergenia tea, it is the most fermented.
Traditional Mongolian Tea (Suutei Tsai)
Mongolia has a tea-drinking tradition no less than that of the United Kingdom. However, since ancient times, Mongolians drink tea differently than European or other Asian countries. Suutei Tsai (milk tea) is the most consumed drink in Mongolia.
It is made from bergenia leaves and is also called salted Mongolian tea. This tea is served practically with every meal. However, drinking is not from cups, but from bowls.
Ingredients:
- 2nd century sh. dried bergenia tea leaves;
- 2 cups of water;
- 2 cups of milk;
- a pinch of salt.
Preparation:
- Put bergenia leaves in a pot, pour water and bring to a boil. Then pour milk and boil again.
- Traditionally, tea is not stirred, but scooped with a ladle and poured back. It is recommended to repeat this several times.
- Add a pinch of salt and pour into a teacup.
- Serve in bowls, not cups
Benefits of Bergenia tea
Historically, bergenia tea has been used medicinally in Nepal, India and China. It is a medicine used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It was used to treat everything from coughs to lung diseases.
Bergenia tea has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, by constantly drinking this tea, immunity is strengthened, the body becomes more resistant to viruses, fungi, and other infections.
Bergenia tea is recommended to drink during chemotherapy treatment, as it strengthens the body and makes the procedures easier to bear.
This tea is recommended as an auxiliary tool for the treatment of many other diseases: kidney, thyroid, gynecological, most lung and respiratory diseases. It reduces stress, tension, improves the quality of sleep, normalizes the work of the digestive system. In addition, bergenia tea is considered a male enhancement drink.
Bergenia tea to treat goiter
This tea is used in folk medicine to treat endemic goiter.
Ingredients:
- 2 v. sh. dried bergenia leaves;
- 500 ml of water.
Preparation: put the leaves in a pot and pour boiling water over them. Leave to soak for about 15 minutes. After that, cook on low heat for another 20-25 minutes. Strain.
Usage: drink ½ cup 3-4 times a day.
Bergenia tea for children
It is a great help against colds and diarrhea. In addition, it strengthens children’s immunity and resistance to various viruses and bacteria. Bergenia tea can be given to children from 7 years of age.
Ingredients:
- 1st century sh. dried bergenia leaves;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation: put bergenia leaves in a cup, pour boiling water and leave to infuse for 15-20 minutes. Strain.
Usage: give in small sips throughout the day.
Bergenia tea for gynecological diseases
It is a very popular tea among women, as it is considered one of the most effective in treating many gynecological problems. In folk medicine, bergenia tea is used to treat fibroids, inflammatory processes in the ovaries, and cervical erosion. Bergenia tea baths are prepared for external use.
And common bergenia tea is used to relieve PMS symptoms and normalize the menstrual cycle.
Ingredients for preparing the bath:
- 10 years sh. dried bergenia leaves;
- 2 glasses of water.
Preparation: the leaves are poured with boiling water and left to infuse for 25-35 minutes. Strained.
How to use: Pour the prepared tea into a bath with water or a bathtub and lie down/sit for 15-20 minutes.
Bergenia tea for compresses
Effective therapeutic compresses are prepared from dried bergenia leaves. They are used for the treatment of wounds, cuts, various skin lesions, washing and disinfection of purulent wounds.
Ingredients:
- 2 v. sh. dried bergenia leaves;
- 600 ml of water.
Preparation: the leaves are poured with boiling water and left to infuse for 5-7 hours. Strained.
Use: this tea can be used to wash wounds and disinfect them. Also soak pieces of clean gauze and apply compresses for faster wound healing.
Bergenia tea side effects
It should not be forgotten that bergenia tea has not only healing properties, but it can also be harmful if used incorrectly. Bergenia tea should not be used:
- for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children up to 7 years of age;
- for persons with tachycardia, arrhythmia, cardiac ischemia;
- for those who have a tendency to chronic constipation;
- with blood clotting or liver diseases;
- for persons with reduced blood pressure;
- allergic to bergenia or related plants.
Before deciding to prepare bergenia tea for medicinal purposes, consult your doctor, pharmacist or experienced herbalist. Bergenia tea is unique in the world of teas. Healing, toning and strengthening the body.
Source: arbatosnauda.lt
Tags: Encourages drink health
-
