Green Tea, Black Tea, Herbal Tea: Healthful Beverage Choices

Even though the claims may be exaggerated, if you're going to drink much of any beverage other than water, tea is probably your best choice. The health benefits of green tea have been trumpeted in the media recently.
Tea is water plus phytochemicals including caffeine, and very little else unless you add a lot of sugar. Both green and black tea come from the same plant, camellia sinensis. To make green tea, the leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. For black tea, the leaves are dried, then fermented and fired.
Both green and black tea contain phytochemicals that have been linked to reduced rates of certain types of cancers. When brewed at normal strength, both contain about half of the caffeine found in a cup of coffee. If caffeine is a concern, de-caffeinated teas are available.
Herbal teas are dried leaves of a wide variety of plants, which you steep in hot water as you would regular tea. They are generally caffeine free. Many claims are made for the phytochemicals found in herbal teas, but all we can safely say is: yes, they do contain phytochemicals, which may be beneficial or harmful, depending on the plant used and the amount you drink. If you have hay fever or other allergies, be aware that herbal teas made from plants in the family you are sensitive to can trigger the same reactions.
If you need to drink more than a few cups of a beverage, make it water. That's true for all foods, not just tea. So enjoy your tea, but remember, what is beneficial in moderation may be harmful in large amounts.

Tea appears to be healthful and may contribute phytochemicals to your diet that you would not otherwise get.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at
http://www.DrMirkin.com
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.

Benefits of Tea- More Than A Drink

Tea can do a lot more than taste good. Green, black, and oolong teas contain antioxidants called polyphenols which research has shown to help in preventing several forms of cancer, possible reduction in heart attack and stroke, and aides in overall health and well-being. Herbal teas do not usually carry the same polyphenols, but do contain other beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that can help in a variety of ways. Seems for every ailment there's an herb, and it all boils down to a good cup of tea.
Here is a few other ways to use specific herbal teas to our benefit. Enjoy!
Ginger tea
- promotes enzymes that promotes digestion and helps with nausea and upset stomachs
Thyme
Breathe over a warm cup to help clear your sinuses or use in hot bath. - is a natural antihistamine and helps fight infections.
Rosehips
- is rich in vitamin K, bioflavanoids, and citrics. Age defiance at it's best!
Shiny horsetail grass
Sipping on this tea is great for your hair, nails, and skin. - richest in silica, an element in tissue repair.
Rosemary tea
- a great hair rinse that promotes hair growth a gentle removing of hair build up
Oatstraw tea
- great for weight loss due to it's high fiber content and richness in vitamins A,D, B1, and B2
Chicory and dandelion tea
- natural appetite suppressants
Chamomile
- helps you sleep and relax
Apple peels
much of the apples nutrition value lies in the peel - brew some in with your regular tea.
Red clover
- in large amounts emulates female hormone which may help ease menopause symptoms
Lemongrass
- mild diuretic
Sassafras
- helps prevent bronchitis
Birch tea
- helps with rheumatism and headaches

Ten Facts You Did not Know about Tea

There are only three basic types of Asian tea; Green, Black
and Oolong. All three come from the same tea plant --
Camelia sinensis. The differences between the teas result
from the way the tea leaves are plucked and processed.
Although there are three basic types of tea, there are over
3,000 varieties to choose from. Despite their name, herbal
teas are not tea at all because they do not come from the
tea plant, but from herb and spice plants.
This occurs when our arteries become clogged and are unable to work as they should because of them becoming narrow. In recent Dutch studies it was found that men who drink black tea which contains catechins are fifty percent less likely to die of ischemic heart disease.
In a recent test 250 women drank as little as half a cup of tea per day and their pregnancy rates were double those who did not. We now know that drinking a half to two cups of tea per day may promote fertility by inhibiting abnormalities in our chromosomes.
The puffiness around the eyes will amazingly vanish and your eyes will look and feel brand new. A remedy for puffy eyes is to lie in a horizontal position and place either a tea compress or wet teabag over both eyes and leave for about 20 minutes.
One way to rid your refrigerator of unpleasant smells is to
place one or two used tea bags somewhere within the fridge.
The next day any bad smell will be gone!
Apply a wet tea bag to the infected area for about 15 minutes three times daily and the wart will slowly begin to shrink until it eventually disappears. A substance called Tannic acid which naturally occurs in tea is said to help in the battle against warts.
Many prominent researchers are convinced that this is due to green tea containing many powerful antioxidants and preventative anti-cancer agents. It is known that men in Asian countries who consume green tea have very low instances of prostate cancer.
It is thought that polyphenols which are very strong antioxidants and are contained in the tea are the most likely reason for this phenomenon. In recent Australian studies CSIRO scientists found that the occurrence of skin cancer in laboratory mice was greatly reduced when they were given black tea.
The costliest teabag ever was created for the 75'th
anniversary of the PG TIPS tea company. The bag was filled
with two hundred and eighty diamonds and expensive limited
edition tea leaves. The tea bag cost 7,500 pounds and would
be auctioned in aid of a Children's hospital in Great
Britain.
The total annual consumption of tea in Turkey is approximately 120 thousand tons whereas that of coffee is only 8 thousand tons. Turks drink more tea per head than any other nation, even more than the British and they are now the world's biggest tea drinkers. Contrary to what one might expect, Turkey is a land of tea drinkers.
Lorraine Bevere is the webmaster and operator of
FOG Tea, Inc.
For questions or comments about this article, please visit: which is a premier source of information about tea.
http://fogtea.com

Selling Home-Grown Tea Herbs

There are numerous ways to package dried herbal teas for sale, from tea-themed gift baskets to home spa tea collections. Also, they can be sold as individual live potted plants. These are usually for your customers' gardens, but some tea herbs can be grown on a windowsill or porch, or even on your customers' desks at work.
Live potted plants ready to be placed in the customers' gardens can also be sold in themed packages, such as a collection for a summer iced tea postage stamp garden, or as a collection for a summer iced tea postage stamp garden, or as a collection for a summer iced tea postage stamp garden, or as a collection for a summer iced tea postage stamp garden, or as a collection for the customer's own gift garden, where they grow tea to harvest and dry for gifts they give to family and friends.
Harvested and dried herbs can be sold bulk as individual plants, or exclusive specialty blends can be created with your home business's label.
Herbal teas make great products to wrap with other related products into gift baskets, from simple herbal tea samplers to elaborate tea party gift baskets with the inclusion of resale items such as ceramic tea pots and infusers.
Making direct contact with potential customers involves both allowing visitors to your gardens, or selling the herbs off the premises. For visitors, larger tea gardens can become healing sanctuaries themselves, where replicas of Japanese tea gardens or historical European herb gardens can be re-created. In the 18th century, popular coffee houses, which were then considered somewhat rough places where competitive business deals took place, began to give way to high-class tea gardens at the insistence of the ladies. Some of these gardens were almost visions of paradise, with lantern-lit walks, music, dancing, and where exotic landscapes allowed royalty and the common people to intermingle. A well-known tea garden of 1765, Ranelagh Gardens, hosted the nine-year-old Mozart as a performer. No local Mozart to invite? A commercial garden in Washington State hosts a local harpist every Mothers' Day.
Benefits and other gatherings enjoy such services, especially if their people get to meet the actual farmer. For selling away from home, you can offer to host tea tastings for a fee.
Also, look for a listing of local tea houses. A teahouse the author inquired into even asked for edible flowers along with tea herbs.
HRF's current collection consists of more than 300,000 articles. Since its founding in 1983, HRF has served as the central archive of scientific literature on the health effects and safety of botanicals and has developed the world's most comprehensive collection of clinical trials, pharmacology, toxicology, chemical, historical, and horticultural data on thousands of herbal ingredients. According to the HRI, scientific credibility is essential to bolster consumer confidence in herbs and for the continued growth of the industry.

The non-profit Herb Research Institute, www.Herbs.org (HRI) may be of help in this area (see below). In some cases, you can be allowed to describe health claims if an established research entity has made the claim, and you quote them. John's Wort was reportedly banned in France, while its production continues in other countries. For example, St.

These laws change, so make sure your information is recent. Check into all local regulations on safe harvest and storage, and know what can and can't be said as far as medicinal claims. Stay safe, and keep potential customers safe.
(c) 2006 Barbara Adams

Wholesale Tea: A Market of Possibilities

With the rise in the accessibility of "foreign" countries, one seemingly small item has now exploded onto the market; Wholesale Tea. A wide variety of items are available and relatively simple to acquire as the internet provides a gateway to export companies from all nations. As the business world grows, the physical globe shrinks as products from all nations become business opportunities for companies of all sizes.
Before only available to those with contacts in Eastern nations including, China, Japan, India, and Sri Lanka, wholesale tea has now grown to suppliers in African nations, and importers through out the world, as a simple entry of "wholesale tea" in any search engine will provide users with a list of options supplying not only suppliers of Wholesale Tea, but also suppliers of wholesale tea bags, wholesale gift boxes and gift sets containing tea, and a variety of other similar items.
A now global commerce, items such as gourmet tea bags that you will find the tea bags in a store sold under a third company's brand name.
In regards to the tea itself, there are a multitude of tea variations, including Jasmine Green Tea, a slight variation on tradition, Rooibos, perhaps the most popular herbal tea, Lemongrass, one of many relatively new herbal teas to the mainstream industry and a very long list of blends. Now we see a variety of companies creating an even larger number of options in every facet of the wholesale tea market. This is not to say that Wholesale Tea was not available 5 years ago, but the industry has grown far beyond green tea and breakfast tea.

Experimentation with blends and tea bag designs are the current trends in an up and coming business. As you may have noticed, the tea bag market has a full listing of names and an even fuller listing of variations.
Generally containing a low quality tea dust, these bags focus more on price than quality. In the tea bag world, there are few variations with the machine packaged and stapled standard heavily dominating the market.
Though packaging may not be as easy and all practicality aside, the quality is generally higher than the standard as some form of loose tea is included inside and the look is potentially more appealing. Another design that is available is a pyramid shaped bag.
A new method allowing for design flexibility and the inclusion of high quality loose tea, these gourmet tea bags will put up a good fight against the aforementioned variations. Square and Round shaped, hand sewn bags are now starting to make their way to the industry with a few select companies offering both manufacturing and wholesale tea bag distribution. The newest entry to the market is a smooth balance between the two.
With a little creativity and a good manufacturer, any budding entrepreneur looking for an opening, or any currently established business looking to expand, can now step into the Tea bag world. With the many variables available in both tea blend and tea bag manufacturing, wholesale tea is a prime example of how with the growth of communication and transportation, business opportunities are as easy to find as your kitchen cabinet.
David Giusti is the owner of Sabaidi Tea Co., Ltd.,
http://www.Sabaidi.net
You can read more on the company's home page at , a company that manufactures and exports Handmade Gourmet Tea Bags, Gift boxes and other specialties from Thailand.
http://www.Sabaidi.net
.

Great Uses of Tea Tree Oil - 21 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil Revealed

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Tea Tree Oil has been known to the Bundjalung Tribe of New South Wales Australia for hundreds of years for its medicinal properties.
This wonder oil was only tested scientifically in the early
1920's by Arthur Penfold and found to be around 12 times more
powerful than carbolic acid and yet caused no harm to the skin.
It was used extensively by the Australian Defence Force during
World War Two but due to the discovery of synthetic drugs did not
become popular again until the 1960's.
One great development was that it was found to deep penetrate the skin cleaning it and encouraging the formation of scar tissue. Over the years it has proved itself as a natural antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory oil.
It will solve most day to day first aid and medical problems. It will cure a sore throat, cold sores, coughs and dental abscesses. Some of medical uses include healing blisters, reducing swelling from insect bites and stings, cleaning and healing abrasions and cuts, cures athletes foot and is very helpful in the healing of acne.
It helps take the sting out of sunburn and softens corns and calluses. A couple of drops on toothpaste will prevent gum infections and bad breathe. It also lends to daily beauty care as putting drops in shampoo, body lotion, hand cream and in the bath will keep hair and skin clean and healthy.
Putting drops in the humidifier will clean, disinfect and refresh the air and putting drops in the dishwasher and washing machine will kill all the germs. Tea Tree Oil's anti-bacterial properties also extend use in the household chores, making the house clean and healthy.
True Tea Tree Oil is only grown in Australia. There are many
brands that are from inferior trees and not from the genuine Tea
Tree whose Botanical name is Malaeuca. The name Tea Tree was
given by Joseph Banks the botanist who travelled with Captain
Cook and collected the leaves to make a herbal teas.
Your first purchase should be made from a Health Shop until you
know how to define whether it is the genuine oil or an inferior
oil as the results will obviously not be the same with an
inferior product.
There are many excellent websites on the internet and many
excellent books which will give you all uses of this wonderful
oil. You will be amazed at the excellent results you obtain and
will find it is truly a medicine kit in a bottle.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.
Emily Clark is editor at
Lifestyle Health News
and
Medical Health News
where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Some Tea Brewing Tips For Anyone To Enjoy

Here is a list of tea brewing tips that can be used to add some additional flavor to your favorite cup of tea:
The first thing you should do is purchase a high quality tea. You will receive far more pleasure by purchasing teas that have the quality ingredients that you love. Try to find a reputable supplier, one who preferably has many glowing reviews from other consumers.
It is recommended to steep your tea in water that is not quite to the boiling point. You will also want to avoid boiling the water as this will expel oxygen and makes the water taste flat, believe it or not. You can use fresh water if you have a good supply yourself, or even buy bottled water from a well-known company.

Also try to use a high quality water when making your tea.
Many say to use between 2.5 to 3 grams of leaves per 5-6 ounces of water. You can accomplish this by using a tea balance. Try to measure out the correct weight of tea leaves for the amount you are making.
The following are some generally accepted steeping temperatures: Black and Herbal teas should actually use water at a full boil or around 212 degrees, Oolong tea should be steeped between 190 and 203 degrees, Green tea between 160 and 180 degrees, and White tea is brewed best in a cooler water with a range of 150 to 160 degrees. This is best accomplished by using a thermometer to get the water just right. Use the correct steeping temperature for the type of tea you are steeping.
Using the correct steeping time is another important consideration to brewing the perfect cup. Use the following recommendations for the type of tea you enjoy the most: Black tea should be steeped for 4-6 minutes, Puerh teas are known as hard teas and should be steeped for a minimum of 7-8 minutes, Oolong teas have a wider variety of steeping times from as little as 3-4 minutes to upwards of 6-8 minutes, Green teas are ready to go in a brief 2 to 3 minutes, and White teas are the most sensitive and should not be steeped for more than 2 minutes.
It is best to infuse tea in a kettle since the tealeaves can quickly expand to three times their starting size as they release the stored flavor and aroma. Try to make sure that there is enough space in the infuser for the teas to fully expand. You should provide plenty of space during infusion and avoid cramping the tea leaves.
Any dark colored or tightly rolled teas can stay fresh for more than six months if stored this way. To enjoy your tea completely make sure that you keep it in an airtight container. Your tea will lose its flavor if it is exposed to oxygen or light. And lastly let's not overlook storage.
About the author:
James McDonald writes for
findteaonline.com
, a
flavored tea
resource site. You can find some popular tea offerings as well as informative articles on a variety of topics about this terrific beverage.

Cold Sore Remedy - Mint Tea

A
cold sore remedy
proven very effective, as well as pleasant to use, is mint tea. Many times I've seen a cold sore completely healed in as little as 7 days using the mint tea cold sore remedy described in this article.
It's a cold sore remedy that has worked well for many others. It's a cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only. It's a cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only. It's a cold sore remedy I write about, I'm offering this cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only.

It's a cold sore remedy I write about, I'm offering this cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only. It's a cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only. It's a cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only. It's a cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only.

It's a cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only. It's a cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only. As with any cold sore remedy I write about, I'm offering this cold sore remedy to you for information purposes only.
In no way is this cold sore remedy presented as medical advice. Nothing takes the place of a one-on-one relationship with a health professional.
Keep in mind also - the best cold sore remedy is one that's applied topically. A cold sore is primarily an external problem and is easily treated this way. You may hear of a variety of vitamins or prescription medications that are useful as an internal cold sore remedy. These do sometimes help. But, the simple and direct approach will always give you the very best results.
This is true with a cold sore or any other problem in life.
Mint is a very powerful
cold sore remedy
Mint also has a very soothing effect, which has made it a favorite with many folks who've written me. because it has strong anti-viral properties.
But first, let's look at the "universal" cold sore remedy - ice.
Ice has been used as a cold sore remedy for centuries. Today ice is readily available anywhere at any time. Even a cold can of soda works as a cold sore remedy, when held to the sore.
The replication process of the herpes virus creates the cold sore. Ice, when applied to an emerging cold sore, discourages the herpes virus from replicating. The herpes virus hates cold. Applying ice or any cold object will stall the herpes virus from creating that hideous sore. And sometimes even send the herpes virus back into hibernation.
As a cold sore remedy, combining the ice method with mint is many times more effective.
Mint is very easy to find. The form we use is mint tea bags. These are available anywhere you find herbal teas. If the mint is combined with other herbs, that will work fine also. Just make sure the mint is primary. Mint can also be easily grown in a window pot if you want to try it fresh. I'll talk about a special cold sore remedy using fresh mint in just a moment.
This is how we turn mint tea into a very effective cold sore remedy.
Then freeze the wet tea bags. of water), we make a strong batch of mint tea. of bottled water and 5 tea bags (about one tea bag per 4 oz.

Taking 20 oz.
Using the frozen tea bags in place of ice, we hold the tea bag on the cold sore area for about 10 minutes at a time. About 3 times per hour works well.
With this frozen mint
cold sore remedy
, you get the comforting and healing effects of ice. Plus, as the bag melts, you are applying a very strong anti-viral medication. This will kill thousands of herpes viruses.
Additionally, you can supercharge this cold sore remedy by sipping the tea. Also, apply the mint tea liquid to the sore with a cotton ball or paper towel. Now you have an internal as well as an external cold sore remedy.
This is also a perfect cold sore remedy for those rare people who get a cold sore inside the mouth. It works well for canker sores too. As a cold sore remedy, or for canker sores, you can use the tea as mouthwash. Swish it around for a minute or so, then swallow it for the internal benefits.
A variation of this cold sore remedy, we've used successfully, is to freeze the tea liquid. This works best for us using an ice cube tray that makes smaller ice cubes. This is a little messier as the cube melts. If you use fresh grown or bulk mint, then you won't have the tea bags to freeze. In that case, this may be one way to use your mint as a cold sore remedy.
One final note on using mint as a cold sore remedy.
Using this
cold sore remedy
, you may not want to, or can't, sit and hold the ice or frozen tea bags to your lip. If you're on the go, here's a very convenient and powerful way to use mint as a cold sore remedy.
You can quickly make an excellent cold sore remedy by crushing fresh mint leaves into a paste. If you don't wish to grow your own, mint is often available fresh or dried at your local health food store. With dried mint, add some water to reconstitute it and it will make a fine paste too. As you make the paste, mix in a little baking soda. This raises the pH level, which the herpes virus also hates.
Now you have a cold sore remedy you can use when traveling or at work. And, if made with fresh mint, the mint will be even stronger than in the dried tea form because you aren't heating it.
I hope you, as so many others have, find this to be an excellent, cheap and powerful
cold sore remedy
.
Learn more about cold sores, and cold sore remedies, by going to his wildly popular cold sore site. Denny Bodoh is a 33-year newspaper veteran, and an alternative health and nutrition research writer.
http://www.be-cold-sore-free.com/

Don't Throw Your Tea Bags Away! Learn The Healing Benefits Of Tea Bags

Best of all, if taken in tranquility or in good company, tea can even ease your troubled soul. And the healing effect of drinking herbal teas is sometimes even more potent than taking herbs in pill form. Although hundreds, maybe even thousands, of plants show medicinal properties, only a handful are tasty enough to be brewed to make tea. Studies have proven the healing powers of plants.
Besides enjoying the healing benefits of tea beverage, here are other creative ways to use your tea bags:
Burns can also be washed with cooled aloe tea used in a mist-maker. Soak in the bath to allow healing and prevent moisture loss from the skin. Just brew two to four bags of aloe tea and pour it into cool bath. • Soothe a sunburn or radiation treatment with aloe tea applied topically on the affected area for faster healing and more comfort while sleeping.
• For a quick cold and flu fix, spice up your bath with ginger. Just brew two bags of ginger tea in a pot of hot water, let it steep then add it to a prepared bath. The warm and stimulating effect of ginger is perfect for those who normally experience cold hands and feet, or for those who are recovering from a chill after suffering from a cold, flu or other illness.
• For instant relaxation and skin rejuvenation, make your own handy facial mist by letting two bags of lavender or chamomile tea steep until cool, then pour in a spray-mist bottle.
If you are planning to sell your house, this could be just the trick you need to inspire that prospective buyer. Add a slice of orange, a cinnamon stick, or a few slices of apple for a more potent aroma. • Stir up some potpourri and soothe your senses at home with two tea bags (jasmine, orange or ginger works well) allowed to slightly simmer in a pan of water.
Visit the following website for more info about health and cooking recipes. The author is a big fan of cooking recipes.

How About Drinking A Soothing Cup Of Tea - A Great Way To Relax, And Add Medicinal Benefits To Boot!

Furthermore, at Pace University new studies conducted have indicated that White Tea Extract may have prophlactic applications in retarding the growth of bacteria that cause Staphylococcus, Streptococcus infections, pneumonia and dental caries. As far as the medical community goes, a study at the University of Oregon indicated that consumption of moderate amounts of green or white tea might provide a protection against colon tumors about as well as a prescription drug, sulindac that has been shown effective for that purpose. Some leaves even have slight hairy down on them. The leaves of these varietals are slightly paler in color which is evident in the brewed infusion.

According to the Metropolitan Tea Company, white teas are slightly fermented and come from selected varietal tea bushes. What is White Tea? Wow, this is good!! I love tea with vanilla in it and I like white tea so I chose a tea called Wedding Tea. Today I chose to drink a cup of TEA while I relaxed on the porch of my store.
More on the medicinal side of Tea: Cinnamon in tea can reduce blood sugar, cholesterol & triglyceride levels. Cinnamon fights tooth decay, is an antiseptic that help kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay & gum disease, soothes an upset stomach and cleans up urinary - tract infections. You may want to try Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon & Spice Tea. You will get a cinnamon JOLT for sure in this Tea!!!
Harney & Sons also has a Peppermint Tea as well. In olden days some doctors claimed mint was an aphrodisiac. As an infusion they may stimulate the stomach and be intestinal antiseptic.

Spearmint and Peppermint are known for their digestive properties.
I hope this helps you out a little, just a bit of information to convince you that maybe you Herbal teas have special and unique flavors and many are often consumed for their medicinal properties, and, Herbal Teas have NO CAFFEINE!! Now as for Herbal Teas, these are not true teas. That's just my opinion!!

It tastes crisp and feels good on my tongue. I like to think of White Tea as the champagne of Tea. White teas are particularly high in polyphenols. White Teas are slightly fermented and come from selected varietal tea bushes. Oolongs are easily recognized by appearance of the leaves which are stout, crinkled and when infused, often look greenish with reddish edges.

For instance: Oolong Tea is a semi-fermented compared to Green Tea which is fully fermented. The variety of teas is due to differences in growing conditions, the kind of leaves harvested and the processing technique. So here we go; all tea comes from the same species of plant -CAMELLIA SENENSIS. I don't want to overwhelm you with information like some articles do to me. I'll try to help you a little.

You might ask: What are the differences between Green, Black, Oolong, White and Herbal Teas?
Here are a few things you might not know - I know I didn't until I started researching Tea Facts a few years ago:
- Ceylon is the general name for tea produced in Sri Lanka. The plant is a close relative of the Assam indigenous tea plant that is the ancestor of most teas grown in India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.
- The term ORANGE PEKOE refers to the size of the leaf and not to the flavor of the tea. The size of the black leaf affects the speed of infusion with large leaf types steeping more slowly. I have always said Orange Pekoe is just your plain old regular type Tea!!
- Tea is a rich source of Antioxidants that are believed to fight free radicals that can cause cancer, heart disease and strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts and Alzheimer's disease.
- The Tea Council of Canada states: tea taken without milk or sugar contains no calories or fat; but if milk is taken in tea it is a vital source of calcium. The British Dental health Fdn. Confirms Tea is a healthy drink which has many beneficial properties for teeth and everyone should be encouraged to drink it.
- In tea taster's jargon there is a term called ‘Agony of the Leaf' which refers to the unfolding of the tea leaves when boiling water is applied to them.
- Tea sometimes may taste bitter. It contains tannins and if a tea is allowed to steep too long, more of the tannins are released causing what some people say is a bitter taste. A dash of sugar can reduce this bitterness or alternatively add some milk, as this will reduce the pH level of the tea.
Much of my knowledge comes from The Metropolitan Tea Company - whose tea I have enjoyed for about 3 ½ years now. I respect this company and all their research and their Tea is good too.
Blessings, Shyrll Olson
www.sandjcountrystore.com

Growing Your Own Herbs for Tea

If you love herbal teas, as I do, you know they are just a little bit pricey. However, growing your own herbs is easy and so much fun!
Here are just a few of the herbs you might want to consider for a tea garden:
Chamomile tea can be enjoyed by itself or you might enjoy adding mint or lemon verbena. Only the flowers of this fragrant herb are used when making tea. Chamomile: Remember the favorite tea of Peter Rabbit?
It's easy to grow (almost too easy) so remember to keep it clipped back. Lemon Balm: This herb is lemony with a touch of mint and makes a soothing cup of tea.
Lemon Verbena: An excellent herb to grow in a sunny spot, it makes a delicious tea. You might try combining it with orange mint or spearmint.
Mints: There are many mints available. Generally, they are aromatic plants and they are aggressive. It may be a good idea to plant mint in a pot and then put the pot in the ground so it doesn't take over your herb garden. Spearmint, peppermint, orange mint all make wonderful teas, alone or along with chamomile or any of the lemon herbs.
Herb teas can be made with fresh or dried herbs and can be enjoyed either hot or cold.
For one cup of hot tea, use one teaspoon of dry herbs or up to 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs. Bruising the leaves of fresh herbs will help release the flavor. Pour boiling water over the herbs in a glass or china pot. Metal pots can sometimes leave a metallic taste. Let steep for 5 or so minutes. Strain and enjoy with a little honey to sweeten.
Sun tea can be made simply by filling a jar with water, throw in a handful of crushed fresh herbs, and set in the sun for 3 or 4 hours. Stir in a little honey to sweeten, pour over ice and enjoy.
Trying different combinations of herbs is fun. Remember you can also add spices you have on hand, such as cinnamon, cloves, etc.
With herbs from your garden you can soothe away your troubles with a cup of chamomile tea or make yourself a refreshing cup of peppermint tea after a hard day at work. Gardening itself is very relaxing and rewarding. There are many benefits to growing and making your own herbal teas.
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Look in the perfumes of flowers and nature for peace of mind and joy of life. --Wang Wei
About The Author
Cyndi Roberts' website, "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" will show you ways to save money everyday. Receive a free e-course on saving money at the supermarket! To learn more, visit
http://www.cynroberts.com

How to Differentiate the Different Types of Tea

If you want to metamorphose into a more relaxed, mindful and balanced individual, throw out your coffee mug and have a cup of tea instead. You can either purchase conveniently packed tea bags or buy tea in its loose form. To brew, put tea or a tea ball in a pot or mug and pour in a cup of boiling water for each teaspoon of herb or tea. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes before straining and drinking. Teas can be enjoyed hot or cold (chilled then served with ice).
Check out the list below for the basic differences between teas for brewing:
* Black Tea - A dark and richly flavored beverage made from dried, oxidized and fermented leaves of the shrub Camellia sinensis, this tea has the highest caffeine level, about half as much as a cup of coffee.
* Chai - This tasty mixture of milk, black tea, and spices originated in India.
* Green Tea - A light and subtly flavored beverage made from Camellia sinensis leaves that are not allowed to oxidize or ferment. Green tea has about half as much caffeine as black tea.
* Herbal Teas - These are various herbs (leaves, stems, fruits, bark, flowers and roots of plants) steeped in hot water that are more correctly called "tisanes" rather than teas because they contain no leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. They are caffeine-free. Often, several herbs are blended together.
* Mate - Also called yerba mate, this stimulating drink with a lot of caffeine is from South America, and is brewed from toasted wild holly leaves.
* Oolong Tea - Semi-fermented teas, such as oolong, are made from the Camellia sinensis leaves, but they are less oxidized than green and white teas. These teas also contain caffeine, but not as much as black tea does.
* Rooibos - Also known as red bush. Made from needle-like leaves of a South African shrub, rooibos is similar in taste to black tea but without the caffeine. It allegedly has antioxidant and cancer-preventive properties.
* White Tea - Considered the rarest of the teas made from Camellia sinensis, this delicate tea is produced from blossoms and young shoots. It is the lowest in caffeine but the highest in antioxidants. When brewed, it is almost colorless.
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Can Tea Help Prevent Food Poison?

Symptoms usually appear 8-16 hours after exposure to the bacteria, and can disrupt your life for a few days. While not usually life threatening, this common form of food poisoning can cause diarrhea, nausea, cramps and vomiting. One of them is Bacillus cereus.

There are dozens of variations of food poison, and none of them are pleasant.
Cooked rice that is improperly refrigerated is one of the most common carriers of bacillus cereus. The problem can be exacerbated by improper refrigeration, which just allows the spores to further grow. Bacillus cereus is usually caused by improper cooking.
Tea has far more anti-microbial properties than previously realized. It appears that tea's catechins may protect our bodies from bacteria like bacillus cereus. However, researchers are learning that there may be ways to protect our bodies from the ravages of such bacteria.
This study concluded that all eleven of the anti-oxidants evaluated contained anti-microbial properties. These anti-oxidants and infusions were evaluated to determine their anti-microbial activity against bacillus cereus. They also evaluated actual infusions of 36 commercial black, white, green and oolong teas, as well as herbal teas. One particular study reported by the UK Tea Council evaluated the anti-microbial activity of seven green tea catechins and four black tea theaflavins, both important anti-oxidants.
In fact, most of the compounds were more active than medicinal antibiotics such as tetracycline or vancomycin at comparable concentrations. The study also concluded that the brewed infusions of true tea that contained these catechins and theaflavins also had anti-microbial properties as well, particularly freshly brewed infusions. However, herbal brews did not have anti-microbial properties.
The presence of the anti-oxidants in tea may be enough to keep us from getting sick from these bacteria, or at least be sufficient to lessen their effects. If we consume tea on a regular basis, we may be able to ward off these harmful bacteria before they wreak havoc on our bodies. Well, it means that drinking tea can protect your body against certain harmful bacteria like bacillus cereus. So, just what does this mean to our real life?
This is likely just the tip of the iceberg. We already know that green tea prevents many serious illnesses, such as heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and some forms of cancer. And, if we've determined that it can kill bacteria such as bacillus cereus, then there's certainly potential that it can act as an anti-biotic against other harmful bacteria, as well.
Certainly it has been determined from this along with many other studies that tea is an important part of living a healthy life. In Japan, the medical community recognizes green tea as a known cancer preventative, and it's likely that medical communities in other countries will soon follow suit. This information, combined with the other studies that have shown green tea to be effective in preventing heart disease should be enough to convince us that drinking a few cups of green tea each day is a simple way to protect our health.
But, why is does it seem that so many of the positive findings are associated with green tea, and not black tea too? Well, it stems from the way the tea is processed. While the study noted here on the anti-microbial activity of tea didn't find a difference between the two, in most health studies green tea beats black tea every time.
Black tea is fermented during processing; green and white tea are far more powerful.
However, it is likely that researchers would find that white tea is just as healthful, since its anti-oxidants are preserved in their natural state, just like those in green tea. The research done so far has mostly been performed on green tea because it is much more widely consumed.
Scientists decided to back up this anecdotal evidence with research and the findings have been astonishing. Green tea first gained notice as a health preserver because of the much lower incidence of heart disease and cancer in Asian countries, where green tea is a staple.
Some studies have shown that administering green tea along with chemotherapy makes the chemotherapy more effective than when it is administered alone. Other studies have shown that green tea protects our health, there has also been evidence to suggest that green tea may even be effective as an alternative cancer treatment. In addition to evidence suggesting that green tea slows the growth of certain cancers.
It's amazing to think that something many of us have been drinking all our lives just for the taste could hold so much power to protect our health. As time goes on, and more studies are conducted on human subjects, we'll learn more definitive information about this wonder beverage. So, it appears that green tea may be one of the most promising natural health products we can consume.
Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current
tea
offerings, including their exceptional
green tea
, white tea, black tea, oolong tea (also known as wu-long and
wu long tea
Visit goldenmoontea.com for all details concerning the Golden Moon Tea Company's fine line of teas. ) and chai.