In January I hosted this year’s first Ladies Lunch and Learn. For the luncheon I shared some information on teas and some digestive benefits from different ingredients you can use….AND we made our own tea blend while we were there! It was super fun! Below is part of the information I shared with our ladies, so read and learn and go make some tea!
Did you know that tea is the 2nd most consumed beverage in the world?! I didn’t, but since I love tea so much I can understand why. Just play with these ideas and have some fun, create something just for you. Proportions don’t have to be exact, so you have freedom to experiment.
3 Easy Steps to create your own tea blend:
- Start with the herbal action you need (immune support, calming, digestive stimulant, etc.) and use your preferred herb as the “active ingredient” base.
- Add a “supportive ingredient” that is soothing to that particular body system.
- The final ingredient is the “catalyst.” This adds a pop of flavor or increases the active ingredients potency.
Start with 3 parts herbal action ingredient, 1 to 2 parts supportive, and 1/4 to 1 part catalyst, and then make adjustments as needed. You will find that herbs often switch roles from one blend to the next and really there is no right or wrong to any combination you find pleasing to the smell or taste. You can always continue playing with a blend after you have made a cup or two of tea from it to make it exactly what you want.
How to Store your Tea:
To preserve the flavor, color, and aroma you should avoid fluctuations in temperature, moisture and light. Keep the tea in the package it was shipped in or if you are making your own, be sure it is in a tightly sealed container. A glass jar or metal container is best, then simply store your container in a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Great Ingredients to have in your tea for digestion:
Cinnamon helps with many things including a sluggish digestion, as well as bloating and flatulence. Some studies have also found it can help regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon is used by nearly every culture in the world. After the demise of the Roman Empire, trade in spices was controlled by Arab nations and the price of ginger and many other spices rose considerably.
Ginger is another thing you can add, here are several things it can help with-
*Used for upset stomach and aids with indigestion
*Helps prevent build-up of gas in the gut
*Relieves gas, cramping and heartburn
*Helps with nausea, motion sickness or morning sickness
*Reduces inflammation
*Warming spice helps to calm fever and fight the symptoms of colds
*Decongestant, helps to clear airways
*Increases circulation and may help prevent blood clots
*May help to reduce cholesterol
*Acts as a stimulant to the digestive system and helps to get things moving
Take before OR after a meal to improve digestion. Too much ginger can cause heartburn.
Caution for those on blood thinners. Anyone in doubt should first consult their healthcare provider for advice.
Hibiscus– a red-flowered shrub, is commonly used in herbal teas because of its pleasant tart taste, similar to cranberry.
*Used to treat upset stomach, anxiety and fevers
*Neutralizes bad tastes, especially from chemo drugs
*Rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene and antioxidant flavonoids
Pau d’arco benefits have been known within the indigenous tribes of South America for centuries. Pau d’arco is taken from the bark of a tree called taheebo. Goes really well with peppermint and helps other herbs work better.
*Immune Booster
*Strong antibacterial action
*Antiviral action which could help with the flu and herpes
*Parasitic Cleanser
*Anti-inflammatory properties may help with arthritis
*Help with respiratory problems
*Fungal and yeast infections
*Blood Cleanser
Side Effects – Some people experience nausea and stomach upsets. It may have a blood thinning effect, which will be worsened if you are already taking medication to thin the blood. The risks of taking the herb during pregnancy are unknown, so it is recommended that expectant mothers do not use it.
Peppermint – Mint is an ancient spice with roots in Greek mythology. The nymph Minthe was pursued by Hades, God of the Underworld. She was trampled by his love interest Persephone and turned into mint. Fragrant and flavorful, mint is a popular herb enjoyed across the world and goes well with a number of different spices.
*Relieve Stomach Problems – assist with irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, stomach aches, diarrhea or constipation
*Aid Digestion – promote bile flow for better digestion
*Relieve Nausea, Fever and Cough
*Boost Immune System
*Full of calcium, vitamin B and potassium
*Reduce Bad Breath
*Helps to relieve stress
*Potential appetite suppressant
*Might help manage colic in a baby
*Might help with headaches or migraines
Precautions and Side Effects:
*Acid Reflux Aggravation – relaxes stomach & sphincter muscles which can lead stomach acid to flow up the esophagus
*Precautions for the Pregnant – could cause the uterus to relax which may increase the risk of having a miscarriage. Also those that have a history of miscarriages should take caution. People who are breastfeeding avoid drinking mint teas as this can be dangerous for infants and small children.
*Interactions with Other Medicines – Talk with your doctor to be sure if it is safe for you. If you have any type of menthol allergy or asthma you should avoid drinking mint tea.
Mixing 1 Tablespoon Peppermint in 2 cups hot water makes one serving of Peppermint tea. Don’t drink more than 2-3 servings per day.
Raspberry leaves are among the most pleasant-tasting of all the herbal remedies, with a taste much like black tea, without the caffeine. Raspberries were said to have been discovered by the Olympian gods themselves while searching for berries on Mount Ida. Teas of raspberry leaves were used by women of the Cherokee, Iroquois, and Mohawk nations.
*Very beneficial during pregnancy
*Very beneficial for the female reproductive system
*Could also ease the symptoms of PMS and Endometriosis
*Helps with nausea
*High in magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamin B and C
*Helps with leg cramps
*A strong raspberry leaf tea or tincture will sooth sunburn, eczema, and rashes when used externally.
*Swishing with a tincture or infusion of Raspberry Leaf is great for the gums and can help alleviate the symptoms of gingivitis or gum disease.
Rosehips – Different parts of rosehips can be used to help with certain conditions. Rosehip is a wonderful ingredient for the health of your skin and is high in vitamin A, fruit acids and pectin.
*Mild diuretic and laxative
*Helps relieve mild constipation
*Improves and relieves the symptoms of kidney disorders
*Helps with indigestion, arthritis, colds and the flu.
To make the tea simply pour a cup boiling water over a tablespoon of crushed, dried hips and let steep. Strain and add honey. Adding hibiscus to your tea creation is believed to provide a myriad of health benefits.
Helpful websites:
www.herbal-treatment-remedies.com
www.ehow.com/info_8279012_spices-go-mint.html
www.newhealthguide.org/Benefits-Of-Peppermint-Tea.html
So go on and create something amazing from the suggestions I’ve given you, and be sure to come back and comment with your creative combinations. Let me know if you have any questions too and I’ll try to help.
Coming up April 25 is our next Ladies Lunch and Learn from 11AM-1PM at Bocca Pure Italian. Click here to go to my website to check out all the information, and click here for the Facebook invitation.
Our speakers are:
Marianne Frederick – How to Have Energy Left at the End of the Day
Heather Marshall – Legacy Stories: Capturing the spirit of Your Life
Virginia Kirwan – Herbal Teas for Spring Relief and Summer Health – more fun tea information!
This is sure to be a great spring event! Click here to go directly to Paypal to reserve your spot, I’d love to see you there!
In the next couple of posts I’ll be sharing some tea recipes with you, as well as links for the recipes for the yummy food we had, and a little more information on the other speakers I invited for the day. Gotta run, now I want to go make some tea myself!
