Benefits of Tea You Wish You Knew About
Did you know the majority of tea leaves are used to create pharmaceutical medications? In many parts of the world people who drink specific tea blends live longer than average and use tea for medicinal purposes. e.g. Native Americans, Asians, Europeans, Africans… Teas are often used in ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, after-dinner conversations, breakfast, lunch, business meetings and tea parties. In European culture, it was considered proper etiquette and customary to offer tea for welcomed guests. Did you know tea has more caffeine than unbrewed coffee per milligram, depending on consumption?
Tea is popular and enjoyed by Monks, are used to create scents in bath or body essential oils, lotions, potpourri, incense and candle waxes. It’s so popular, many restaurants use tea drinks to aid in the digestion of large meals, to calm customer moods, and as a spice in gourmet dishes (i.e. ice cream with a mint leaf.) Tea lovers travel across regions for tea tasting, pairing, and preparation for contests such as the Tea Master Cup. Also, tea is popular in small bookstores, cafes, day spas, and nail salons because the smell affects the olfactory senses.
Sage tea is a drink made by infusing hot water with sage, a popular aromatic herb that is also known as common sage or garden sage. Its leaves have a long history of medicinal use and spiritual meanings when burned to ward off evil in homes. A member of the mint family, sage is native to the Mediterranean region and Asia Minor (Asia Minor is the place where the continents of Asia and Europe meet. It is also known by its Greek name, Anatolia. Today it is part of the country of Turkey).
Rosemary tea is a herbal tea and is rich in vitamins, iron, and calcium. The herb is commonly used in culinary dishes and to make essential oils. Rosemary is a perennial plant, making it a popular garden plant. You can brew the tea using rosemary leaves straight from your garden. In early American culture, Rosemary leaves were used to hang over babies’ cribs to keep evil spirits away.
Native American Medicine
Yaupon Tea: Yaupon has been used for thousands of years by indigenous communities for ceremonies, as food, and as medicine. Descendants of the Timucua tribe, who lived in what is now North Central Florida for about 10,000 years used Yaupon. In addition, the Ais and the Muscogee (Creek) tribes utilized Yaupon. Packed with antioxidants, Polyphenols can improve or help treat digestive issues, weight management, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Labrador Tea: Made from a steeped Labrador plant, this tea tastes like an English breakfast tea. The plants grow in the thick, wet soil of lowland bogs across North America. The foliage is leathery and can be dark green, rusting, or magenta-coloured. The plants give off a citrusy solid lemon scent. Many people use Labrador tea to soothe colds, sore throats, and other chest ailments.
Cedar Tea: Cedar is a sacred tree and is part of many ceremonies. It can be used to purify your home, in sweat lodges, and as a medicine. The tea is used to treat fevers, chest colds, and the flu. To make cedar tea, simmer two cups of fresh cedar in four cups of boiling water for about 10 minutes until the water is golden.
Mint Tea: Mint tea can be served chilled or warm and is refreshing and crisp. Mix with raspberry or blueberry juice for a refreshing beverage. Mint tea has been known to soothe an upset stomach, improve digestion, and headaches, and even treat bad breath.
Bergamot Tea: Bergamot has a strong minty flavor and is very potent, so use sparingly. Bergamot can help with stress relief protects against diabetes, and heart disease, and may even aid in weight loss—cousin to Chamomile and Lavender tea which is a sleep aid known for its calming properties.
Raspberry Leaf Tea: Raspberry leaf tea is perfect after a heavy meal, as it aids in digestion. Raspberry tea is well-known for its ability to stimulate labour and help ease childbirth. It also boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation. To make raspberry tea, simmer both the raspberry canes and leaves in a covered pot with water for about 20 minutes.
Chaga: Chaga is a mushroom that grows on birch trees and is loaded with antioxidants. Many claim antioxidants help fight cancer. Chaga has a mild coffee flavor with notes of chocolate. To make Chaga, dry the mushroom and grind it into chunks. Simmer in water for 20 minutes to an hour and mix with nut milk, honey, or maple syrup.
Sumac Lemonade: Sumac lemonade is made with berries from the staghorn sumac tree. These berries ripen mid-August and turn a deep red color. Sumac may help lower blood sugar and is high in Vitamin C.