Because of the many chai tea benefits, Western culture has modified and adopted chai tea as its own from the traditional Indian beverage. The word “chai” in India simply means “tea.” The drink westerners refer to as chai is known in India as masala chai, a mixture of tea, spices and milk. The spices used in traditional chai tea are the same as those used in Ayurvedic medicine, giving the tea many health benefits.

Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced in India for hundreds of years, with each herb providing a specific benefit to the user. Chai tea usually has pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel and ginger, each giving the drinker a specific health benefit. Black tea itself is known to have multiple health benefits, and the combination of the tea with the spices gives multiple chai tea benefits.

Chai Tea Benefits

Black tea is known to have antioxidant properties. There have been numerous scientific studies showing the benefit of antioxidants in tea reducing free radical damage to DNA. A recent study conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine showed that all teas have multiple antioxidant effects, no matter which kind of tea or whether it has gone through processing to remove caffeine.

Ayurvedic medicine has been shown to help with many different health issues. The chai tea benefits from the specific spices used in the tea have many different beneficial effects, mostly on digestion. The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine recently published a study outlining the many benefits of chai herbs and spices on digestion.

The most useful of the chai tea benefits

Ginger is one of the main ingredients in the chai spice mixture, with known benefits to reduce nausea. Ayurvedic medicine says that ginger improves circulation and regulates blood sugar. In a study recently commissioned by the National Institutes of Health, ginger was also found to have anti-inflammatory properties. The effects of ginger are some of the most useful of the chai tea benefits.

Cardamom is another of the main ingredients and is considered a “warming” spice. This spice is used in Ayurvedic medicine to decrease mucus and calm lung disorders. Cinnamon has been shown to have a calming effect and to aid in digestion. This herb is used in Ayurvedic medicine to increase vitality. Pepper stimulates digestion and is known by practitioners to improve circulation and decrease sinus congestion. Cloves are used to stimulate digestion. Fennel is used to calm nerves and improve mental alertness.

Black tea itself is a known stimulant, as it does contain some caffeine, and is used to improve alertness. Though there is much less caffeine in tea than in coffee, it is still present in small amounts, particularly in black tea. Those with sensitivity to caffeine should not consume black tea that has not undergone a decaffeination process.