Myddfai Reiki: It's tea time!
I must make a confession. I love tea. I don't just 'love' tea like people 'love' their salt and pepper shaker collection or they 'love' alphabetizing their sock brands in the drawer, I LOVE tea. Not much of a coffee fan, but my average day sees me drinking close to ten cups of tea. This is a horrific amount, yes. Or it would be if all I drank was black tea. I do not, however. Herbal teas are among some of my favorites, and this year I'm planting chamomile and lavender in my garden, along with the mint and strawberries that are already there. I'm going to make my own tea!!!! (Later today Little Bit and I are making lemon goat cheese. I'm getting all homestead-y here. I'll let you know how that goes.)
I find that when I'm feeling really stressful, or headachy, or just out of sorts, a mug of hot tea, or, depending on the day, a glass of iced tea will bring me back to center, giving me a few stolen moments to find myself and my focus, and propel me forward through the rest of the day. (Admittedly, sometimes this requires a refill or two, but who's counting?) People have known for centuries that various herbal teas can treat a collection of ailments, and while I'm all for treating oneself as much as possible, do remember that recurring symptoms may require professional treatment. In the meantime, if you're as enamored of tea as I am, please enjoy the following, posted from Care2.com:
I find that when I'm feeling really stressful, or headachy, or just out of sorts, a mug of hot tea, or, depending on the day, a glass of iced tea will bring me back to center, giving me a few stolen moments to find myself and my focus, and propel me forward through the rest of the day. (Admittedly, sometimes this requires a refill or two, but who's counting?) People have known for centuries that various herbal teas can treat a collection of ailments, and while I'm all for treating oneself as much as possible, do remember that recurring symptoms may require professional treatment. In the meantime, if you're as enamored of tea as I am, please enjoy the following, posted from Care2.com:
The Best Teas for Your Health Problem
By: Michelle Schoffro Cook
- May 10, 2016
- About Michelle
- Follow Michelle at @mschoffrocook
Recently I participated in a guided meditation in which I
was advised to visualize myself doing something that makes me happy. At
the end of the meditation the woman leading it asked what I had
envisioned. I visualized my husband Curtis and I taking our daily tea
break. Between writing books and blogs, conducting magazine interviews,
and the day to day challenges of life, our tea break provides me with
the peace and calm I look forward to every day.
What could be better than a respite from the busy-ness of daily life to enjoy tea with someone special: perhaps if that tea offered therapeutic value in addition to its soothing qualities? To that end I’d like to share some of my favorite teas that are both delightful and offer medicinal benefits so you can pick the best teas for your health problems.
Allergies—Drink a cup of nettles to reduce allergies and allergy symptoms such as nasal and sinus congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes. Research published in the medical journal Phytotherapy Research found that nettles were effective against symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Anxiety or Depression—Select lavender flowers to reap the rewards of this fragrant plant’s natural mood-boosting and calming effects. In a recent study comparing the effects of a medication for depression to drinking tea made from lavender flowers, scientists found that lavender was slightly more effective than the antidepressant drug. Study participants drank two cups of lavender tea daily to reap these effects.
Coughs or Viruses—If you’re suffering from a persistent cough or fighting off a virus, then it’s thyme for tea. The herb is highly antiviral and arguably the best herbal remedy for coughs, applications that are even approved by the German government as medical treatments for these conditions.
Migraines and headaches—Choose feverfew, a proven migraine and headache remedy. You probably won’t notice immediate migraine relief but consumed on a daily basis for at least a month and you’ll likely experience a reduction in the frequency of your migraines.
Muscle or joint pain—Choose ginger tea made with fresh ginger root. Ginger contains a unique compound known as gingerols that are proven pain relievers. According to research published in the Journal of Pain, ginger was found to alleviate muscle pain. Other studies demonstrate its effectiveness against joint pain as well. To reap the most benefits, you’ll want to make this tea differently than the others. Boil a 2 inch piece of ginger, coarsely chopped in about cups of water for about 45 minutes, then strain and drink as desired throughout the day.
How to Make Herbal Teas
Use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiled water (or two teaspoons of the fresh herb). Let steep for at least 10 minutes then drink two to three cups daily for best results. Because ginger is a root, the medicinal properties are best extracted by making a decoction, which involves boiling the herb for at least 45 minutes.
What could be better than a respite from the busy-ness of daily life to enjoy tea with someone special: perhaps if that tea offered therapeutic value in addition to its soothing qualities? To that end I’d like to share some of my favorite teas that are both delightful and offer medicinal benefits so you can pick the best teas for your health problems.
Allergies—Drink a cup of nettles to reduce allergies and allergy symptoms such as nasal and sinus congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes. Research published in the medical journal Phytotherapy Research found that nettles were effective against symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Anxiety or Depression—Select lavender flowers to reap the rewards of this fragrant plant’s natural mood-boosting and calming effects. In a recent study comparing the effects of a medication for depression to drinking tea made from lavender flowers, scientists found that lavender was slightly more effective than the antidepressant drug. Study participants drank two cups of lavender tea daily to reap these effects.
Coughs or Viruses—If you’re suffering from a persistent cough or fighting off a virus, then it’s thyme for tea. The herb is highly antiviral and arguably the best herbal remedy for coughs, applications that are even approved by the German government as medical treatments for these conditions.
Migraines and headaches—Choose feverfew, a proven migraine and headache remedy. You probably won’t notice immediate migraine relief but consumed on a daily basis for at least a month and you’ll likely experience a reduction in the frequency of your migraines.
Muscle or joint pain—Choose ginger tea made with fresh ginger root. Ginger contains a unique compound known as gingerols that are proven pain relievers. According to research published in the Journal of Pain, ginger was found to alleviate muscle pain. Other studies demonstrate its effectiveness against joint pain as well. To reap the most benefits, you’ll want to make this tea differently than the others. Boil a 2 inch piece of ginger, coarsely chopped in about cups of water for about 45 minutes, then strain and drink as desired throughout the day.
How to Make Herbal Teas
Use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiled water (or two teaspoons of the fresh herb). Let steep for at least 10 minutes then drink two to three cups daily for best results. Because ginger is a root, the medicinal properties are best extracted by making a decoction, which involves boiling the herb for at least 45 minutes.
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