Therapy tea is actually any tea. As we've all heard recently, green tea is packed with nutrients and antioxidants! But....if you read the ingredient labels on most of the bottled tea in the soda isle, you'll find that the first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup. This is definitely high on the list of foods to avoid.
It's true, though, that a good, organic tea you brew yourself is beneficial to your health. Each herbal tea can be a therapy tea for many symptoms, from anxiety to digestion problems to fighting cancer. When you learn what to use there's a remedy tea for almost any ailment!
- GINGER - Ginger tea is great for fighting colds and flu, motion sickness or any upset stomach, cramps, indigestion. It also greatly increases circulation which helps with sore muscles. This works when applied topically also.
- CHAMOMILE - Chamomile tea is a great tonic for anxiety, nerves, acid reflux and digestion. Its has flu and cold fighting abilities also.
- PEPPERMINT - Peppermint tea is wonderful for nausea, diarrhea, headaches and menstrual cramps. It is also high in B vitamins so it is stimulating and improves concentration.
- ROSE HIP - Rose hip tea is very high in vitamin C so obviously good for colds and flu. Its also good for the urinary system, water retention and mild rheumatism.
- LEMON BALM - Lemon balm tea is a great nerve tonic. Its also good for heart palpitations, stress, sleep disorders, gas and other digestion problems and even wound healing.
- RASPBERRY LEAF - Raspberry tea is good for most female complaints though not recommended during pregnancy. Its also good for diarrhea, detoxing, tonsillitis and a gargle for sore throats.
- CATNIP - Catnip tea is a mild sedative. It's great for insomnia, upset stomach or colic and chest congestion. This is a safe remedy for children just as chamomile is.
- PAU D' ARCO - Pau D' Arco tea is anti inflammatory and is great for joint pain! It is also anti fungal and will fight Candida, thrush, athletes foot and ringworm.
Ginger - Honey - Lemon, The Flu Fighting Tea
Directions:
- Boil 3 cups of water in a saucepan.
- Meanwhile, grate or thinly slice a 2 inch piece of ginger root.
- Turn the boiling water down to a simmer
- Add the ginger and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and add the juice from 1/2 a lemon.
- Add 2 big tablespoons of honey and stir.
- Strain and enjoy!
THERAPY TEA How to Brew
Here's some tips for brewing tea:
- Never use the microwave to heat your water or warm your tea! A microwave rearranges the molecules in food and water which can destroy any beneficial properties of whatever your cooking or warming.
- Use hot but not boiling water for most teas. The boiling water can also destroy the quality and benefits of the tea.
- When you steep tea always make sure it is completely covered whether in your cup, pot or jar. This prevents all the 'good stuff' in your tea from escaping.
- When using fresh herbs or leaves always bruise or tear them first. This allows them to easily release their essential oils.
- Brewed tea is called tisane in the fancy teashops and restuarants.
Always keep your pot or cup covered when steeping tea!
The length of time to steep tea can vary but here's some general guidelines:
- Green teas: 2-3 minutes
- Semi-fermented teas: 3-4 minutes
- Black teas: 3-5 minutes
- White teas: 4-10 minutes
- Herbal teas: 10-15 minutes (exception is delicate flower teas such as camomile, steep only 5 minutes or tea will be bitter)
Iced tea can be therapy tea too!
- Thoroughly clean a clear, glass container with hot water and soap. Sun tea steeps at an ideal temperature for bacterial growth, so it's important to sanitize the container before you start.
- Fill the container with 4 cups of cold water. Use the most purified water you can get your hands on.
- Add 5-7 teabags or 1/2-1 cup (depending on your taste) of fresh herbs and cover the container securely.
- Place the container in direct sunlight for at least two hours or up to 5 hours for stronger tea. Taste the tea periodically to see if it's ready.
- Remove the tea bags or strain out the herbs.
- Pour into glasses, mix with honey or stevia (optional) and serve iced.
- Keep refrigerated and drink all the tea within 24 hours.
The term herbal tea usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs containing no actual tea, such as rosehip tea or chamomile tea. Alternative terms for this are tisane or herbal infusion, both bearing an implied contrast with tea. This article is concerned exclusively with preparations and uses of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, the Minnan word for which is the etymological origin of the English word tea. . . Read More