I think that tea is the best natural medicine that you can easily find and make. How hard is it? You heat up some water to boiling (hmmm, my roommate in college had never boiled water before, hopefully you have) and throw a tea bag in to steep. Then a little bit later, you remove the tea bag and put it into your little tea bag holder (you have to have one if you drink tea). Then you drink from a cute little tea cup with your pinky extended while you eat scones. Well, you don’t do the pinky thing but I like to. It makes me feel rich and important.
The beauty of tea is that it has many healthful properties depending on the type. Green Tea has wonderful antioxidants (EGCG) that contributes to protecting your cardiovascular and neurological systems. Mint tea is great for calming the stomach. Camomile is excellent for relaxation. Rasberry leaf is great for reproductive health in women. The health options are literally endless and if you don’t like a flavor, it’s cheap enough to buy another kind that works for you.
I personally swear by tea for improving my mood. There’s nothing more comfy than curling up with a great cup of tea and a good book on the couch. I also think that green tea with lemon and honey is better than any cough syrup when you are battling throat irritation or cough. Ask others what tea tastes good and works for them. It works for me…as always on Wednesday.
Take a look at these links for other tea opinions:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea.htm
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/tea-health/
http://www.chinatownconnection.com/benefits-of-green-tea.htm
http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/product/organictea.html
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART02854
August 22, 2007 at 4:18 am
I love tea and have also strayed over to the coffee table as of late. *sigh* I used to drink camomile when I was nursing. It relaxed me and as an added bonus (my ped. recommended this) the baby received a little bit of it. Goodbye cranky evenings for the babe!
August 22, 2007 at 4:48 am
After spending Christmas in London, where our hotel room had its own tea kettle and an assortment of teas, I’ve taken to having a hot cup of tea every morning with my breakfast. It really is a nice, pleasant way to start the day. I don’t know why it took me 33 years to figure that out!
I’m addicted to Whittard of Chelsea’s English Rose tea. So much so, that when my parents went back to London this spring, I had them bring me several boxes back!
August 22, 2007 at 7:15 am
I used to drink tea all the time, but now that I´m a sleep-deprived mama, I tend to go for the coffee. Which is just silly, really!
August 22, 2007 at 10:39 am
Well, we (me and hubby) love tea! In fact, just recently we have a new favourite, Rooibos, which comes a very close second to earl grey our absolute favourite. Rooibos has no caffeine and I’ve been drinking a lot of it since becoming pregnant as I’ve read of the adverse effects of caffeine on an unborn child….
August 22, 2007 at 12:52 pm
The royals drink lots of tea too! Coincidence? I think not!
August 22, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Living in Germany has really given me a taste for tea. Drinking Rooibus and Fennel during pregnancy. Also, the give babies drink Fennel tea starting day 1 in the German hospitals after nursing. It really works on the tummies. Helps with milk production when mommy drinks it.
August 22, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I love tea, too. The one thing I don’t like about summer is hot tea doesn’t go well with it. I bought one of those tea ball thingies recently to try some loose teas. Very fun and very yummy!
August 22, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I recently bought an inexpensive electric kettle. I use it to boil water constantly. It is super quick. Quick tea, oatmeal, pasta, you name it. I discovered it while visiting London and it makes me feel quite European. I also really like loose leaf tea instead of tea bags (because I know you to well, I will stop writing and let you giggle and think inappropriate thoughts)
August 22, 2007 at 2:29 pm
I didn’t know about the benefits of raspberry leaf. I’ll have to try that sometime.
August 22, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I’ve been a fan of tea for as long as I can remember, though I’m a coffee drinker as well.
Came here from Wordless Wednesday, but was caught by this post.
August 22, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I’m a HUGE fan of tea as well so I love this post!
August 22, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I’m with you – I like tea but especially as a vehicle to deliver more honey into my body
August 22, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I like Mrs. Le’s tea best!
August 23, 2007 at 2:12 am
I love tea and find it to be a wonderful soother and “pick me up”
August 24, 2007 at 9:24 pm
We’re big tea fans in our house, too…I even give it to my kids, once I decaffeinate it…
Getting the potential jitters out of tea is super easy because caffeine is water soluble. I just pour about 1/2 cup of almost-boiling water over a couple white or green tea bags in a teapot, wait 30 seconds or so, and dump out that little bit of tea and most of the caffeine. Then I fill the teapot and my kids can enjoy virtually caffeine-free tea with all the benefits of EGCGs, etc.
I even put it in their thermoses with a little agave nectar and some ice cubes so they can take the antioxidants with them to school!
August 24, 2007 at 10:00 pm
I’m considered amongst my family and friends to be a “tea snob”. But as such, I felt compelled to add to this post by recommending Harney and Sons teas (which you can order off the internet or through their catalog). Of course, it’s not as cheap as what you’ll find in the supermarket, but for those who truly love tea it is well worth the cost! Mmmmm, think I’ll go make myself a cup right now!
August 25, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I used to drink tea a lot. I still love cinnamon tea. mmmm.
I never use bags, and always a piece of cinnamonstick.
I drink coffee and lots of water now.
January 9, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I was in hospital for 3 weeks earlier this year following the birth of my third child. I had the most terrible wind – pain like I can’t even describe. It is laughable now but then I just didn’t know what to do with myself. They gave me a very strong mint drink in hospital to try and ease it and then I just drank mint or spearmint tea for a few weeks after. I ordered it from http://www.teaworld.co.uk and they were extremely efficient. Luckily I haven’t had it since but I always keep it in the cupboard now. I agree with an earlier comment too about Fennel tea for children. My little ones have always had it as an alternative to milk and water. I notice sugary drinks affects their behaviour so this is a good healthy alternative.