While for Takidar, tea is an essential to avoid a dull afternoon, for Mumbai-based Sujata Sinha, jasmine tea is the ultimate cough remedy. She discovered it two months ago when her sinuses were blocked and she felt a continuous 'drumming' in her ears. It could have been worse, had she not sipped six cups of the brew at a posh Chinese restaurant. As the tea soothed her tonsils, she became livelier, participating actively in conversation.

For centuries various kinds of teas have been known to provide health benefits to their consumers - and these go far beyond just the 'pleasure of having tea'.

Potent black

Made from the more oxidised tea leaves than those used in oolong, green, and white varieties, black tea is stronger in flavour and contains more caffeine than the rest. Plain black tea without sweeteners or additives contains negligible quantities of calories, protein, sodium, and fat and is rich in antioxidants that lower blood pressure and can even bust cancer cells. Adding milk to tea however reduces its benefits.

Going green

Originally from China, it is made from tea leaves that have undergone minimal oxidation while processing.

Mumbai-based Elroy Pinto, 23, is a fan of green tea. "I enjoy my cup of green tea purely because here's a certain amount of happiness that can come only from having and savouring its aroma and taste. One of the best things to do after a lunch that is a little heavy is to get a cup of green tea  - it helps in digestion and gives you a happy high," he says.

While some like it plain, others like it flavoured.  "I always drink green tea with ginger, mint and lemon. I don't believe in drugs for treating coughs and colds, my solution is green tea with lemon and honey or ginger mint lemon. I used it a couple months ago when I had a really bad cold. The heat soothed the sinuses, honey the throat and mint/lemon made me feel refreshed," notes 19-year-old Karan Agrawal from Mumbai.

White remedy

The least-processed Chinese tea has the maximum antioxidant content that can fight free radicals, help lower cholesterol and offer protection to the heart.  White tea, a natural killer of bacteria and viruses, helps guard against common cold and flu.

Jasmine tea boosts immunity

Jasmine flowers are placed over the green tea leaves, creating the strong taste and powerful scent of green tea jasmine. Jasmine tea can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, regulate aging, reduce stress, prevent certain cancers and strengthen the immune system. It also helps improve intestinal conditions.

Thai black to fight virus

Thai tea is either Sri Lankan or Chinese black tea that has star anise powder, orange food colouring and a little bit of cinnamon and vanilla added to it. Drink this tea to help rid your mouth of viruses such as herpes, and prevent illnesses such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, cystitis and skin infections.

Cooling with lotus

A product from the Vietnamese tea industry, lotus tea is made with lotus petals mixed in with high quality green tea leaves.  It has diuretic, astringent and cooling properties.

Orange delight

Dried orange peel is generally blended with black tea leaves to form the orange spice tea base. The most basic recipes call for the addition of either cloves or cinnamon to create a warm, spicy undertone.

New Delhi-based tea connoisseur Akash Oberoi, 25, says, "Orange spice is a very refreshing tea whether it's served hot or iced. Orange, with the barest hint of spice, gives the tea a delightful aroma and a beautiful colour. It actually works as a stomach soother. I have this iced tea before meals because it stimulates appetite."

Whether you have it piping hot or iced, whether it’s green, black, white, oolong or herbal, a little tea will do wonders to your body.

Pic: Nossirom