SLEEP 

Immunity

In addition to the body's natural defense tissues, such as the skin, mouth, and intestinal mucosa, the body's defense system also has a specific defense system in the body, which is what we call the ''immune system''. The ability of this system to defend against attacks is ''immunity.''

Tea is a great way to keep yourself hydrated and to replenish your fluid intake. People often find drinking tea helpful in dealing with stressful situations such as dealing with difficult customers, rushing to meet deadlines, and keeping calm during uncomfortable occasions, amongst others. Few things are better than that feeling of calmness you get from having a few sips of hot and freshly brewed tea after a hard day’s work.

Herb-based teas are especially known for their calming and sedative properties – they are believed to help with symptoms associated with chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. Let’s learn more about the different types of teas and explore their health benefits.

Rose Tea

Rose tea is made from the dried buds or petals of the rose flower. Rose tea is commonly used by women to aid in regulating their mood swings and reducing discomfort during the menstrual cycle. Not only that, rose tea is one of the best herbal teas to add to your daily diet, if you’re looking to lose weight. However, that’s not the only health benefit of this type of tea. It also helps improve skin and hair health due to the antioxidants present in it, and is good for digestion as well. Adding rose tea to your health regimen can help you treat arthritis, menstrual cramps, cancer, flu, cold, digestive difficulties, bronchitis, depression, insomnia, and many other chronic diseases.

Hawthorn

The compounds of hawthorn are derived from the leaves, flower and fruits, which have an unpleasant odour and a slightly bitter taste compare to others. According to the study, hawthorn tea is most widely known for its medicinal uses and primarily for its cardiovascular applications. Additionally, hawthorn is used to treat both low blood pressure and high blood pressure. Some people use hawthorn for digestive system complaints such as indigestion, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. Drink it as a tea 30 minutes after meals, and it can help in digestion and even have a loss weight effect.

Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile)

Matricaria recutita, is most known as chamomile. Chamomile flower teas has a subtle and aromatic flavour, and even has a bright, floral sweetness to it. This type of tea has a big following amongst tea drinkers across the world and for good reasons – it is steeped with benefits.

A common use of chamomile tea is its ability to aid digestion and to relieve indigestion. It works by relaxing and calming the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. Chamomile also good in treating eye inflammation and infections. This tea can be used in a compress to help soothe tired, irritated eyes and it may even help treat conjunctivitis.

Dimocarpus Longan

Dimocarpus longan, or longan for short, is a sweet and delicious drink that can be enjoyed hot, warm, at room temperature and even cold. Longan is high in vitamin C, which means that it’s great for boosting the immune system.  In traditional chinese medicine, longan works is beneficial to the heart, kidney, liver and spleen meridians. It is given as a tonic to strengthen and replenish these organs. Drinking longan tea can improve a child’s memory and is suitable for women after-birth.

* Remember to always consult your doctor for additional medical advice if you’re uncertain whether any of these products are suitable for you.

Tualang honey is a multifloral jungle honey, produced by a giant honey bee called the Apis dorsata found in South and Southeast Asia. The bee nests hang from the high branches of Tualang trees, the tallest of the tropical tree species, measuring about 88m (289ft) tall.

Apis dorsata bees are attracted to Tualang trees because it allows them to build their nests at the topmost branches, away from the potential dangers of humans and animals. A synergy is created from this need — the trees offer the bees a home, and the bees protect the trees from the threat of loggers. To humans, the honey that is created by the bees are far more valuable than the timber that can be made out of the Tualang trees.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TUALANG HONEY

In recent years, there have been an increase in the number of studies published in medical databases regarding its potential health benefits.

It seems that Tualang honey has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, antitumor, and anti-diabetic properties, in addition to wound healing attributes. Some of its properties are similar to Manuka honey, which has been more researched over the years. Compared to Manuka honey, it is also more effective against some gram-negative bacterial strains in burn wounds.

HARVESTING THE HONEY

The trees grow in the thick of the jungle and are very tall — the tree trunk is very slippery, and the bees are huge and dangerous to those which encounter them. There is no easy way to gather honey – skilled honey hunters are required to do the job.

The hunting doesn’t happen like a regular apple harvesting. There is a ritual first, performed by the locals, with a mixed Islamic and Hindu symbolism. Singers chant ancient prayers to cajole, charm and calm the bees. On moonless night in February and March honey hunters climb the Tualang trees with smouldering torches, banging them on the branches above the nests. This creates a rain of fire, and as the sparks fall to the ground, the awakened and enraged bees take off in pursuit of the embers. The bees become disoriented and remain on the ground until dawn, leaving the nests unprotected. The honey hunters will then be able to harvest the honey – about 1,000 pounds of honey can be gathered from only one tree.

THE MYTH BEHIND HARVESTING TUALANG HONEY

A Hindu myth tells us about a handmaiden called Hitam Manis, or “Dark Sweetness”, who fell in love with the son of the reigning Sultan. Although he answered her love, they could not get married because she was a commoner. When the Sultan discovered their love he decided to kill her. She and some other maidens tried to escape and run away.  Alas, she was hit by a metal spear, straight into her heart. Hitam Manis and her friends turned into bees and flew into the forest.

Some years later, the prince went into the forest and saw some giant honey combs, high, in a Tualang tree. He climbed up the tree, discovered the sweet honey, and climbed down the tree, explaining that he had committed a sacrilege by using a metal implement to cut into the honeycomb, which had ultimately killed Hitam Manis. Later a “golden shower” made by the bees restored the prince back to life.

To this day no metal is used in harvesting the honey as a sign of respect to Hitam Manis.

At dusk the bees fly from their nests and defecate en masse, showering the surrounding ground and foliage with a golden rain. The nitrogen-rich bee faeces fertilises the Tualang tree that hosts the bees, giving it life as it did for the prince.