Tourists try to take away various souvenirs from Egypt, ranging from folk art to national food products. Yellow tea has become a kind of calling card of the hot country; it is also called “Helba” or “Shambhala”. The drink is prepared from fenugreek seeds, which are included in spices such as suneli hops and curry. Guests are treated to yellow tea; it has an exotic spicy aroma, and, as the Egyptians themselves claim, has a wonderful effect on the entire body. Fans of non-trivial approaches to weight loss use Helba as a means of losing weight.
What is Helba tea
Helba is not just any type of tea. The drink is called so solely due to its external similarity. It is not produced from leaves, as is the case with tea bushes, but from seeds formed at the end of flowering. The fruits of the plant are beans. They ripen in mid-summer. Each bean reaches a length of 10 cm. Small, hard, rectangular seeds are hidden inside under its walls. When brewed, the result is a golden drink with a specific tart taste, vaguely reminiscent of a mixture of vanilla and cocoa.
History of Egyptian helba tea
The benefits of fenugreek have been known for a long time. The plant was described in the writings of Hippocrates and was positioned as an effective natural remedy for various ailments. However, yellow helba tea in the form in which it is used today was first tested by the Egyptians. Residents of this country are proud of their signature drink and offer it to tourists.
This is what yellow Egyptian tea looks like - “Helba”
Beneficial properties of Egyptian tea
The basis of the yellow drink is fenugreek seeds, which are considered a strong diuretic and laxative. Thanks to these properties, weight loss is achieved.
Official medicine warns that the process of losing body weight with constant consumption of Egyptian tea will not proceed correctly and may be harmful to health.
And the results will be ephemeral - perhaps the weight will become somewhat lower, but this will only happen due to the removal of excess fluid and feces from the body.
But this does not mean that Egyptian tea will be useless for people losing weight. If you take it wisely and not consider it a panacea for obesity, the following beneficial properties of the drink will appear:
- satisfying the feeling of hunger - occurs due to the tart and rich taste;
- getting rid of edema - due to the diuretic effect, excess fluid is removed from the body;
- normalization of intestinal function - accumulated feces come out of it, the walls of the organ are cleansed of toxins.
Thanks to the complex effects of Helba yellow tea, metabolic processes in the body are stabilized, a person begins to feel full after a small amount of food.
We recommend reading about Pu-erh tea for weight loss. You will learn about the beneficial properties of Pu-erh tea, contraindications for use, brewing rules, and weight loss results. And here is more information about blue tea for weight loss.
Chemical composition of the drink
The qualities that yellow Egyptian tea has are determined by its chemical composition. It includes the following components:
- enzymes;
- tannins;
- glycosides;
- carotenoids;
- coumarins;
- diosgenin;
- polysaccharides – starch and cellulose;
- amino acids – tryptophan, lysine, isoleucine;
- vitamins – groups B, A, C, E;
- microelements;
- unsaturated fatty acids;
- vegetable proteins.
The drink saturates the human body with carbohydrates and proteins, and restores the lack of fat. Its energy value is 12 kcal per 1 teaspoon of seeds.
Feature benefits for women and men
Yellow tea from Egypt is beneficial for everyone. The drink contains diosgenin, an estrogen analogue of plant origin. The compound normalizes the functioning of the endocrine and reproductive systems of women. Whose helba is recommended for:
- heavy and painful menstruation;
- polycystic ovary syndrome;
- inflammatory processes in the uterus;
- mastopathy;
- lack of breast milk during lactation;
- infertility of hormonal origin;
- early menopause.
Men introduce yellow tea into their diet for sexual disorders and decreased libido. The components of the drink have a beneficial effect on hormonal levels and increase potency.
The list of medicinal properties of tea from Egypt does not end there. Both men and women can take the drink when:
- chronic cough;
- inflammatory processes in ENT organs;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- joint pathologies;
- infectious diseases affecting the kidneys and urinary tract.
See also: herbal tea for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract
The aromatic drink is useful for high mental stress, memory loss and decreased concentration, prolonged stress, and chronic fatigue.
Instructions for use
Marmaria tea from Egypt is recommended to be brewed using the traditional method. Today, drinks made from marmaria are on sale, as well as with the addition of other spices and Egyptian herbs. To brew the drink you will need approximately 1-2 teaspoons of herbal tea, which must be mixed with regular black or green tea.
The mixture of herbs and tea should be poured with 300 ml of hot water and let the tea brew for at least 10-15 minutes.
This time is quite enough for all the healing properties of weight loss tea to manifest themselves intensively. To obtain the most effective results, it is not recommended to add sugar to the drink. If you want to make it a little sweeter, the best option would be a teaspoon of natural honey.
Properties of the drug
Bedouin tea is based on a herb called marmaria, which grows exclusively in the deserts of the Sinai Peninsula. In its appearance, aroma and healing properties, this desert herb resembles sage - which is why marmaria is often called “Sinai sage”.
The composition of Bedouin tea from Egypt includes khabak - a herb that does not grow outside the Sinai deserts, and other herbs and spices - anise, ginger, rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom.
Due to its healing and stimulating properties, tea from Egypt is actively used for weight loss. How does the drink affect the body?
- Marmaria has a stimulating effect on metabolic processes in the body, accelerating them and helping to lose weight by quickly burning fat;
- Bedouin tea helps normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which makes it easy to control appetite - a feeling of fullness appears from a small amount of food;
- The Egyptian drink has a beneficial effect on a woman’s hormonal system - it also helps to reduce appetite and more intensive weight loss, minimizing the risk of sudden weight fluctuations;
- Reduces cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
How to take for weight loss
The Bedouin weight loss drink is produced in two forms - exclusively from marmaria and with the addition of other Egyptian herbs. If you purchased pure marmaria, it is recommended to mix it with green tea in a 1:1 ratio, brew it like regular tea and drink before and after meals. Thus, an intense stimulating and tonic effect is achieved, metabolic processes in the body are normalized, and the mechanism for burning extra pounds is activated.
A ready-made herbal mixture for weight loss from Egypt is prepared as follows: pour 1 tablespoon of the herbal mixture with a glass of boiled water, then leave for half an hour to infuse and drink.
A dietary drink from marmaria can be prepared in a water bath: the container with the tea leaves is placed in a water bath and boiled for 15-20 minutes, the drink is allowed to cool and consumed as regular tea. For taste, you can add other herbs of your choice to the tea - mint, lemon balm, rosemary, cinnamon. This does not have any effect on the healing and stimulating properties of marmaria tea.
There is no clear recipe for making marmaria tea for weight loss. Nutritionists advise preparing the drink to your liking.
That is why it is allowed to use both a teaspoon and a tablespoon of herbal tea for brewing. The effectiveness of the Egyptian plant does not depend on the amount of brewing - it depends on the frequency of drinking tea. For weight loss, the best option is to drink 4-5 cups of Bedouin tea per day.
Contraindications
Bedouin marmaria tea is an organic preparation that contains natural herbs and spices from Egypt, which have some contraindications for use. There are a number of cases in which the use of a diet drink is not recommended.
- Herbal tea from Egypt is not recommended for use during all trimesters of pregnancy;
- One of the main contraindications to the use of Bedouin tea is the period of breastfeeding. During lactation, drinking tea from Egypt is allowed only with the permission of a doctor;
- The drug is contraindicated in women and men with various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- The use of the drug for weight loss should be abandoned if an individual intolerance to one of the components of the drink is identified.
Side effects
If you have any diseases of the internal organs, occurring in acute or chronic form, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor before drinking Bedouin tea. In most cases, herbal remedies for weight loss are well tolerated by the body and do not cause side effects.
Price
Depending on the manufacturer and composition of the drink, the cost of Bedouin tea can range from 350 to 1,500 rubles.
The drug from Egypt is an effective dietary drink, the effect of which is aimed at stimulating metabolic processes in the body and activating the burning of extra pounds. The weight loss drink is recommended to be consumed in addition to diet and regular exercise.
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How to brew and drink Helba tea correctly
Before brewing, the raw materials undergo preliminary preparation - the seeds are kept in cold water for 3 hours. This allows the flavor to fully develop. Next, start brewing the drink using one of three methods.
- The seeds are fried in a hot frying pan without oil for 5 minutes, cooled and ground in the same way as coffee beans. Pour boiling water over the powder and leave for 7-10 minutes.
- The seeds are fried for 2-3 minutes, poured into an enamel bowl and poured with boiling water at the rate of 1 cup per teaspoon. The mixture is boiled for 10 minutes and then filtered.
- Without pre-roasting, the seeds are loaded into an enamel bowl and poured with boiling water. The mixture is brought to a boil and kept on low heat for 10-15 minutes, then filtered.
Yellow Egyptian tea is drunk not hot, but warm. If desired, add sugar, honey, lemon zest, ginger or milk to the drink. Gourmets will definitely appreciate the tart floral aroma, but the medicinal drink should not be overused. The recommended dose is 1-2 glasses three times a week.
Recipes for brewing Helba tea
There are many options for brewing fenugreek seeds. In different recipes they are combined with other ingredients to enhance the healing effect.
Classic recipe
A universal way to prepare a flavored drink. One teaspoon of ground fruit is poured with boiling water (250 ml). Place the mixture in a metal bowl over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally. After 10 minutes, the drink is filtered. Tea is served with sugar, cinnamon or cloves.
For respiratory diseases
For sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis or sore throat, use the following method. To prepare tea take:
- fenugreek – 1 tsp;
- fennel – 1 tsp;
- elderberry – 1 tsp;
- linden blossom - 2 tsp;
- tricolor violet – 2 tsp.
The ingredients are poured with water (200 ml), kept for 2 hours, and then heated in an enamel container for 5 minutes. The product is drunk warm in small sips throughout the day.
Colds
General weakness, sore throat and fever are characteristic signs of a viral disease, which can be easily treated with a tart fenugreek drink. For colds, the classic recipe is used, but a little more seeds are taken to obtain the most rich taste. Tea can not only be taken internally. It is used for gargling.
Diseases of the digestive system
Shambhala tea is an effective remedy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended as an adjunct to drug therapy if the patient has inflammation of:
- stomach;
- pancreas;
- liver;
- gallbladder;
- intestines.
Tea is prepared according to the classic recipe, adding fig pulp or apple cider vinegar (no more than a tablespoon) at the final stage. The product envelops the digestive tract, protecting the mucous membranes from inflammation, and helps cleanse the intestines of toxins.
Elevated blood sugar
To normalize blood glucose levels, the drink is prepared in the evening. A tablespoon of roasted and crushed helba seeds is poured with warm water (1 glass) and left overnight. In the morning, a decoction of stevia is added to the infusion - a plant whose leaves contain a safe natural analogue of sugar.
Unsatisfactory state of the nervous system
For depression, neuroses, fatigue and insomnia, a drink is prepared from several medicinal herbs. Take in equal proportions:
- fenugreek seeds;
- chamomile flowers;
- motherwort grass;
- mint leaves.
A tablespoon of the herbal mixture is poured with boiling water (300 ml), heated for 10 minutes, filtered and drunk twice a day.
For female diseases
Fenugreek decoction is used for douching in case of inflammation on the walls of the vagina or disturbance of its microflora.
The recipe is simple:
- 2 tablespoons of seeds are poured with boiling water, left for 30 minutes, then filtered;
- take 200 ml of tea between breaks before meals.
Lack of breast milk
To normalize hormonal levels and improve lactation, the following recipe is recommended:
- A tablespoon of helba seeds is mixed with a glass of water;
- Heat the liquid for 10 minutes and then add ¼ cup of milk;
- Tea is consumed orally three times a day, 250 ml.
Recipes for using helba for weight loss
Recipe 1.
The easiest way to make tea is from seeds. It is called yellow Egyptian tea. To do this, take a spoonful of seeds, which are placed in a metal ladle. Add water in an amount of 200 ml and boil over low heat, and then boil for 8-10 minutes.
For taste, add a slice of lemon, grated ginger or a little honey. Drink warm.
Recipe 2.
Helba seeds, like wheat, buckwheat or oat seeds, can be germinated. In this form they contain even more useful substances. After germination, they can be eaten several times a day, and can be added to various salads.
Recipe 3.
Often, before use, the seeds are fried in a frying pan until light brown. Then they grind it in a coffee grinder. Take a teaspoon of this flour, pour a glass of warm water, stir and drink in the morning on an empty stomach.
Recipe 4.
You can soak the seeds in warm water in the evening and place them in a warm place, for example in a thermos. In the morning, drain the water and take a teaspoon of the seeds each time before meals.
Recipe 5.
First, add a tablespoon of helba seeds, grated ginger, half a teaspoon of turmeric and cinnamon powder to half a liter of just boiled water. This mixture needs to be infused for several hours (at least three), after which you drink one and a half glasses, adding a little honey for taste.
The benefits of helba in cosmetology
Fenugreek is used not only to restore health, but also to preserve beauty. Popular uses of the plant are hair and face masks.
Hair Mask
The product will improve blood circulation in the follicles, prevent hair loss, and also accelerate hair growth. For wrapping take:
- ground helba seeds – 1 tsp;
- ground black pepper – 1 pinch;
- coconut oil – 3 tbsp. l.
The ingredients are mixed and rubbed into the roots. After application, it is better to insulate the head with plastic film and a towel. Wash off the mask after 30 minutes.
An alternative use is an anti-dandruff mask. Ground fenugreek seeds are mixed with black cumin oil. The mask is applied to the root zone and scalp with massaging movements and washed off after 20-30 minutes.
Irritated and inflamed skin
Shambhala helps with dermatological problems - eczema, skin inflammation, acne, boils, allergies. Using a herbal remedy, you can relieve irritation and even out your complexion. A universal recipe - a cleansing mask. For preparation take:
- fenugreek seeds – 1 tsp;
- olive oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
- tea tree essential oil – 1 drop.
The mixture is applied to previously cleansed skin for 7 minutes. For a visible effect, it is enough to repeat the procedure every 7-10 days. As a base, you can choose any oil that suits your skin type or alternate universal ones - apricot, peach, almond.
Helba for weight loss. Recipes for use
To achieve the desired result in weight loss, helba seeds must be used correctly!
You should not expect noticeable changes in weight downward after just a week of taking fenugreek. It must take at least a month for the metabolism to adjust to a new way.
With any method of using seeds, they should always be consumed 30-40 minutes before meals in two or three times a day.
When making tea, it is useful not only to drink the drink itself, but also to eat the boiled seeds. They still contain quite a lot of useful substances.
How long should the seeds be used? If you like fenugreek tea, drink it as much as you like. In Eastern countries, for example in Egypt, residents are accustomed to drinking this yellow tea every day. What's stopping you?
Reviews
Egyptian yellow tea combines amazing aroma and health benefits. Its value is confirmed by positive reviews.
“During the cold season, I always make tea from helba and ginger. Both adults and children drink it. The drink strengthens the immune system, but even if someone gets sick, the disease is always easier.” Anna, Moscow.
“It was impossible to establish lactation. A mixture of fenugreek and fennel helped. The taste, of course, is specific, not for everyone, with distinct spicy notes. At first I didn't like it, but I quickly got used to it. There was enough milk, the baby did not refuse the breast, and colic did not bother me.” Svetlana, Petrozavodsk.
“As soon as the cough starts, I immediately drink Helba tea. It does not require any expectorant tablets or mixtures. Natural, safe and tasty." Julia, Samara.
