Lapacho tea: useful properties and contraindications

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Lapacho tea is a unique exotic drink that was popular with the ancient Incas. It comes from South America, and the raw material for its production is the inside of the bark of an ant tree.

They say its beneficial properties help in the fight against various diseases. And many people who have tried this tea claim that it is. And now we will talk about why he is so good.

Composition

Lapacho tea made from the bark does not contain caffeine, so it can be consumed by people for whom it is contraindicated. But on the other hand, it contains various useful substances, namely:

• Vitamins.
• Calcium, strontium, potassium, iodine, magnesium, iron, copper.
• Quinones. These are organic substances that have the properties of compounds of the aromatic series. There are a lot of them in the inner part of the bark of an ant tree - 18, to be more precise. Few plants contain quinones in such quantities.
• Antioxidants.
• Tannins.
• Coumarins.
• Flavonoids.

In addition to the above, Lapacho tea, the properties of which will be discussed later, contains lapachol. It is a substance with high biological activity.

It has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antimalarial effects. Lapachol is even able to fight free radicals, saving DNA cells and the body from damage.

He alth benefits

The miraculous properties of lapacho tea have already been experienced by many people. The components that make up this drink really have a healing effect, and this is why they drink it:

• Prevention of arthritis, asthma, bladder infections and diabetes.
• Providing an antibiotic effect.
• Improvement of the bone marrow and blood.
• Improve circulation.
• Stimulation of blood cell production.
• Prevent constipation and provide a laxative effect.
• Slowing down the aging process.
• Strengthening the immune system.
• Fight free radicals.
• Relieve symptoms of fever, flu, colds, bone and yeast infections, dysentery.
• Prevention of lupus, Parkinson's disease, psoriasis.
• Removing waste and toxins.
• Pain relief.

They say that Lapacho tea even has an antitumor effect. This is due to the fact that it contains carnosyl, a naturalantioxidant.

Contraindications

They also need to be told. Lapacho tea, like any other substance with healing properties, has contraindications. Although they are few.

This tea thins the blood and slows down clotting, so people with hemophilia should not drink it. This is a rare hereditary disease associated with impaired coagulation.

Also, the drink is prohibited for everyone who takes blood thinners - Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Heparin, Cardiomagnyl, Curantil, etc.

For the same reason, you can not take it two weeks before the operation, if one is planned.

Also, talking about contraindications to lapacho tea, it should be noted that the bark of the ant tree can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, you need to start drinking it in small portions. If the body behaves normally, then the amount can be increased.

Also, tea is contraindicated in case of neuroses and migraines. And if you use it in large quantities, you can provoke the appearance of problems associated with the kidneys and liver.

Tea is also not recommended for pregnant women, as its properties can have a negative impact on the development of the fetus.

How to prepare a drink?

Above, it was told about the beneficial properties and contraindications of Lapacho tea. Now it’s worth talking about how to brew it correctly.

It will take 1 liter of water and 2 teaspoons of bark. Mix everything in an enameled bowl and send to a small fire for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the tea must be boiled, and then removed and allowed to brew for 15 minutes, wrapped in a towel.

Then the drink must be filtered. You can drink both hot and cold - its beneficial properties are preserved in any form.

What can I combine with?

Many people like to experiment. During the cooking process, they add other ingredients to the bark, which not only contribute to the disclosure of its taste and aroma, but also complement the range of useful properties. You can try to combine tea with the following ingredients:

• Fresh mint leaves. This fragrant ingredient has a plethora of benefits - pain-relieving, diuretic, preventive, digestive, relaxing, soothing, etc.
• Dried fruits. They contain many more minerals than fresh fruits, and they also have a cleansing effect on the intestines.
• Cinnamon. Strengthens the immune system, improves tone, normalizes blood pressure, has a positive effect on the central nervous system.
• Carnation. This spice contains polyunsaturated fatty acids necessary for the body, as well as a lot of vitamins, glycosides and tannins.

It is recommended to add freshly squeezed lemon or cherry juice to the finished lapacho tea. These are not only the richest sources of vitamins, but also excellent flavor enhancers.

About the cumulative effect

Everyone knows very well: in order for a healing agent to give a result,must be taken regularly. Lapacho tea is no exception.

If you use it regularly, at least 1-2 times a day, you will be able to stimulate the production of erythrocytes (red blood cells). This will affect the healing of all body tissues and better oxygen absorption.

By the way! Iron is needed to improve oxygen transport. In lapacho tea, of course, it is, but in insufficient quantities. Its best source is mate. This is a tonic green tea, which is made from dried, crushed shoots and leaves of the Paraguayan holly. It is with mate that it is best to brew lapacho. But this green tea contains a lot of caffeine, so you need to take this into account.

And if you want to achieve a calming and relaxing effect, you can brew lapacho bark in milk. Such a drink should be consumed about 40 minutes before lights out in a warm form. A person will quickly fall asleep, and he will sleep soundly and well, soundly. Regular intake of such a milk drink will even help overcome insomnia.