Tea And What It Means To Me
Tea has always been a big part of my life, my nana would make tea from herbs in her garden, and even to this day when I go visit she pours me a cup of tea. These are moments in your life that you realize how significant they are and something just like tea has a deeper meaning. This is also the reason I have a fondness for herbal remedies and natural wellness and how important this is for our well-being. Well-being not only means that these herbs and spices are good for your health, but the connection you have to yourself when you make a tea or share tea with others.
When you have a warm tea or drink in the morning you feel balanced and it's a mind-heart connection. That connection comes from the flavors you are getting from the herbs and the warmth of the tea which helps give you a sense of calmness. Like most people, I realized drinking coffee wasn’t good for me and didn’t like how my body felt with caffeine so tea has always been my beverage of choice and luckily it’s super easy to make, affordable, and good for your health. On the topic of being affordable, you can grow your herbs, dry them out them for loose leaf tea, and save leftover citrus peels to boil and also ecological at the same time.
Most herbs are grown or bloom during the warmer climates so if you’re living in a cold climate use the rest of the seasons to dry out specific herbs of your choice for tea. Tea is the embodiment of self-care and is something that makes us feel cozy, we drink it when we aren’t feeling well, and sometimes to start or end our meal with. Tea is always great to drink, especially when you’re sick because it moistens your lungs and upper respiratory system it’s also good to settle an upset stomach if your tea contains ginger and calming herbs. Tea can also give you that mid-day pick-me-up or a boost of energy without that sugary coffee drink. All in all, tea is a versatile drink by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to some warm tea is a good addition for your body. Hot or Iced it changes the properties by seasons. Make sure you are drinking warm beverages frequently especially on colder days and for warmer days it's fine to have a cold iced tea but limit the cold drinks.
Tea: (these can be store-bought tea bags or loose-leaf)
Green Tea (antioxidant)
White Tea (alkalizing/antioxidant)
Chai Tea
Mint Tea
Earl Grey Tea
Black Tea (caffeinated) *good with steamed milk and sweetener of choice
Lavender Rooibos
Spring Dragon Longevity Tea
Tea Tools: (to have on hand)
pot or kettle for boiling water
tea steeper
mesh strainer
lemon juicer
honey (clover, sage, wildflower) *if vegan or dislike honey use the sweetener of your choice such as agave in the recipes below.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Herbs:
Mint (stomach/cooling)
Ginger (warming)
Orange peel (b vitamins / anti-cancerous properties)
Lavender (calming)
Chamomile (calming)
Rose Petals (cooling)
Fenugreek (cooling)
Cardamom (warming)
Cloves (warming)
Cinnamon (warming)
Hibiscus
Elderflower (cooling)
Oregano (warming)
Sage
Turmeric (warming)
Tangerine Peel
Rosemary (warming)
Recipes
Lemon Ginger Tea:
1-inch piece of Ginger
1/2 Lemon
Vitamin d3 drops
Astragalus drops
Apple Cider Vinegar
Spoonful of Honey
Simmer sliced ginger root and 1 slice of lemon in water. Once it's done add a squeeze of lemon, honey, and ACV, and place your drops of vitamin d3 & astragalus.
Mint Iced Tea:
Fresh Mint Leaves
Lemon
Honey
Boil a handful of fresh mint leaves for 5 minutes. Once done take off heat add a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey. Let cool and place ice cubes or refrigerate until cold.
Morning Tea:
Rosemary
Sage
Oregano
Orange or Tangerine Peel
Lemon
Place two sprigs of each of the fresh herbs into your pot of water to boil. Add in few slices of citrus peel. Once simmered for 5 minutes add a squeeze of lemon. You can add honey if you would like some sweetness
Flu/ Stomach Tea:
Guava Tree Leaves
Lemon
First, start by saying most people don’t have a tree in their front yard that grows guavas but if you do or you can find some. Boil a handful of leaves for 5 minutes. Once done add in a squeeze of Lemon.
Anti-Inflammatory Tea:
Green Tea
1/2 inch piece of Turmeric
Knob of Ginger
Honey
Boil water with a piece of turmeric root and a 1-inch piece of ginger. Once done take off heat steep green tea bag for 3-5 minutes. Add your desired sweetness I enjoy honey.
Settle Your Stomach Tea:
Mint Leaves
Cinnamon
Lemon
Boil water with a handful of mint leaves and one cinnamon stick. Once done add in a squeeze of lemon. Add in your desired sweetness if you choose to.