Coffee

If your early morning cuppa is a bubbling, frothy glass of hot coffee, rest assured – you are starting off your day with a herbal drink. When we refer to coffee, we usually refer to the coffee beans. Research shows that coffee first originated in Central Ethiopia, and then it spread to the rest of the world. Initially, coffee was brewed from its red berries. It was only in the late 13th Century that the Arabs showed us the way to roast the beans and make coffee. Coffee is generally grown as a thick bushy shrub on the slopes of hills. It prefers moderate amounts of sunshine and a tropical climate.

Medical uses of Coffee 

The Arabs used to roast coffee beans and brew it to alleviate the menstrual discomforts of their women. In that part of Asia, coffee was extensively used as a ritual drink both for its ability to refresh as well as its medicinal properties. In Turkey, coffee is even considered to be a strong aphrodisiac. Ironically, proponents of alternative medicine have been trying to put the general population off coffee.

The caffeine in coffee has a stimulating effect on the senses and on the heart. Coffee is a renal stimulant and has antisoporific and antilithic properties. It is also an efficient diuretic. Coffee was believed to assist in minor cases of indigestion and assists in the assimilation of food. Coffee also brings blood to tissues under pressure by reducing the blood circulation in the brain.

Benefits of Coffee

If you are in a job that constantly puts pressure on you, coffee may already be your best friend. Coffee is a universal favorite among such people because it allays the feeling of prolonged mental fatigue and keeps exhaustion at bay – at least for limited periods of time. Coffee also gives a sudden spurt to reflex actions and mental activity. That is why you feel a sudden boost of all your mechanisms after you have had a cup of coffee. Studies show that a combination of caffeine and aspirin relieves pain significantly.

According to recent reports, having a cup of coffee before an athletic event boosts performance because it increases stamina. Coffee also minimizes effects of jetlag and may even make weight loss easier by burning more calories.

The caffeine in coffee also acts as a palliative in whooping cough, asthma, hysterical afflictions and palpitations of the heart. Once upon a time, coffee was strongly recommended in cases of infantile cholera and as a diuretic in cases of dropsy.

Coffee Cautions 

While coffee within reasonable limits is good, every one knows that too much coffee can be harmful and addictive. Experts recommend 2-3 cups of instant coffee to be well within reasonable limits.

While coffee has no known side effects, it may exacerbate symptoms of intestinal problems and gas. It may also lead to a loss of appetite. If you are hooked on to your cup of coffee, missing it may give you a headache or feelings of nausea and irritation. Caffeine can aggravate panic attacks and can raise blood pressure in people who have not developed caffeine tolerance.