Sometimes, it is common not to be able to differentiate a tea from an infusion, because their characteristics are similar and both preparations bring large amounts of health benefits. Also, both involve hot water and natural products due to their similar properties.
The difference is that an infusion is made from very hot water, but it is important not to let it boil.
Natural plants can be added to the water, which may or may not be tea. So many of these infusions, such as digestive or those used to sleep, they are completely free of theine, since they are made with different medicinal herbs.
Traditionally, these have been consumed due to their properties, since many of the plants used have different characteristics. In addition, when it is consumed on an empty stomach it has greater health benefits.
One of the most outstanding infusions is horsetail.which, according to the magazine Videospublished through the portal Mundodeportivois made from the plant of the Equisetum genus and has two great characteristics:
diuretic effects
It has a diuretic effect, increasing urine secretion by up to 30%.. “Due to its richness in potassium salts, flavonoids and saponids, it increases urinary fluid and can be indicated to remedy general fluid retention in specific cases, never sustained over time, as we would achieve a rebound effect,” he tells the newspaper. The Spanish dietitian-nutritionist Julia Jiménez Hens.
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is when fluids build up in the body’s tissues and usually occurs in the feet, ankles, and legs, but can affect the entire body.
In accordance with Medline Plusthe National Library of Medicine of the United States, the causes can be: consuming too much salt, sunburn, heart failure, kidney disease, liver problems due to cirrhosis, among others.
help lose weight
Its diuretic effect, mentioned above, is also ideal for facilitating weight loss. In addition, its caffeic acid has a thermogenic effect, which helps increase metabolism and fat burning.
A healthy diet, along with exercise and taking one or two daily infusions of horsetail, can help you lose those extra kilos. This was verified by Study of the therapeutic benefits of the horsetail plant (Equisetum Arvense L.), carried out at the Catholic University of Cuenca, in Ecuador.
To repair a horsetail infusion that contributes to the above, it is required: a teaspoon of dried horsetail (5 g) and a cup of water (250 ml).
Process:
1. Pour a teaspoon of horsetail in a cup of boiling water.
2. Cover the drink, let it rest for 10 minutes and filter through a strainer.
3. Drink a maximum of 2 or 3 cups a day.
There are other ways to prepare this infusion, adding ingredients that can help enhance the effects of horsetail and, therefore, to prevent fluid retention, which in turn contributes to weight loss.
One of the above, for example, is the infusion of horsetail, artichoke and lemon. For its realization it is required: an artichoke, two cups of water (500 ml), two tablespoons of horsetail (30 g) and a teaspoon of lemon juice (5 ml).
Preparation:
1. Cut an artichoke into several pieces and put it to boil in a pot with the cups of water.
2. Bring to the boiling point, reduce the heat to a minimum and add the horsetail.
3. After 2 or 3 minutes, remove from heat.
4. Then wait for it to rest for 15 minutes and strain.
5. To finish, serve it and add a teaspoon of lemon juice.
6. It is recommended to take a cup of drink on an empty stomach and repeat its consumption at noon.
