Drinking Green Tea for Your Health

A lot of people these days are trying to maintain their good health. Medical experts always tell us that we should take better care of ourselves if we want to live a longer life. The problem is that there’s so much conflicting information about what is and isn’t good for us. However, there seem to be some consensus about the benefits of green tea.

Green tea has gained popularity in recent years because of many people’s desire to try natural herbs and supplements in the hope of maintaining their good health. It’s a fact that many people have chosen to substitute it for their morning cup of coffee. They realize that the benefits of green tea far outweigh those of a cup of java.

However, the caffeine that is found in coffee is also present in green tea. This means that you will feel nervous or jittery if you will not limit the number of cups you drink each day. Your sleep patterns may be disrupted if you consume too much caffeine so it would be wise to limit your green tea consumption.

Many people also focus on losing weight in order to maintain good health. That is why we are bombarded with new and supposedly effective weight loss plans on a daily basis. It’s also a fact that weight loss is one of the benefits of green tea. Do you know you can enjoy the benefits of green tea by taking it in the form of a pill? You need to be careful about how much take if you go in this route.

Green tea also comes in different varieties as with other types of herbal teas. It’s easy to see why green tea should replace regular tea as a staple in your diet if you know all the benefits of green tea. Drinking a nice warm cup of tasty green tea everyday is well worth doing, especially if it means improving your health and lengthening your life.

What is Red Tea?

Red Tea, or rooibos, comes from South Africa. Rooibos contains magnesium, which is necessary for a healthy nervous system.

Red Tea contains potassium and copper, minerals that are vital for several metabolic functions. It contains low levels of tannin - the ingredient in other teas that prevents your body from absorbing the iron you need. It is often prescribed for nervous tension and mild depression as it makes a relaxing sedative. Contains no oxalic acid and can therefore be enjoyed by persons suffering from kidney stones.

Rooibos helps to control your appetite and can be beneficial in weight loss and makes a great thirst-quencher and sport drink.

Red Tea is excellent for hyperactive children and relieves insomnia, as it contains no caffeine. It is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Also can be used as a natural supplement as it contains calcium, magnesium and fluoride, which are essential for the development of strong teeth and bones. The minerals build healthy strong blood vessels, aid digestion and prevent tooth decay.

Rooibos is often given to infants (love the natural sweet taste of Red Tea) who are prone to colic and stomach cramps as it is considered to have significant antispasmodic properties. Its anti-allergic properties helps with skin irritations and diaper rash.

Rooibos helps delay the aging process.

Rooibos is the ideal drink for busy people. It can be enjoyed in unlimited quantities throughout the day. It is a great thirst quencher for athletes as iced tea, or mixed with fruit juice. For the diet conscious, Red Tea is a soothing drink, without adding calories. Because of its lower tannin content, it is less bitter than regular tea and can be enjoyed without sugar.

Rooibos helps to relieve stomach ulcers, nausea, constipation, and heartburn. Before you get ready for bed have a cup of Rooibos to ensure a good night's sleep!

Green Tea for Depression

Researcher at the Tohoku University located in Japan recently published a study in Clinical Nutrition showing that when older subjects drank green tea they had a lower incidence of depression symptoms than their non tea drinking counterparts.

1,058 women and men who were 70 years or older residing in Sendai, Japan participated in the study. The scientists evaluated depression based on the Geriatric Depression Scale. After the subjects took a dietary questionnaire the results were analyzed for the frequency and type of tea they consumed. Blood samples were then analyzed for a major marker for inflammation, C-reactive protein.

27% of men and 29% of women who participated in the study fell into the range of experiencing mild or sever depressive symptoms. After adjusting the data for other risk factors those who drank more than 4 cups of green tea each day had a 44% lower rate of experiencing depressive symptoms. In regards to sever depressive symptoms those drinking 4 cups of tea had a 52% lower adjusted risk.

The researchers hypothesized that the tea's anti-inflammatory properties were responsible for the increase depression risk. But, the study was unable to show an association between the subjects green tea consumption and C-reactive protein.

They then proposed the anti-stress component of tea, the theanine content, may explain the reduced depression findings. Theanine is an amino acid in green tea. It has the ability to penetrate the brain-blood barrier, which could cause increases in serotonin and dopamine; two compounds associated with improved mood and reduced stress.

Although they aren't positive why, the researcher has found a link between lower risks of depression and the consumption of 4 cups or more of green tea a day. They are looking to do another study to further examine whether or not the theanine is the spark that may be effective in the treatment and prevention of depression symptoms in again patients.

Until then keep drinking green tea, because it has a lot of other health benefits that we often talk about.

Because, looking and feeling old is optional.

Six Categories of Tea

Everyone drinks tea once in a while. Tea can be grouped into six categories which are Green Tea, White Tea, Yellow Tea, Red Tea, Black Tea, Oolong Tea, and Pu Erh which all made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Each category is based on individual quality, taste, tea color, and production as well as processing techniques.

Green Tea is non fermented tea. Well known green teas include Long Jing from the West Lake, Bi Luo Chun from Suzhuo, Jiangsu Province and Sencha from Japan.

White Tea is quite rare teas made from the very young leaf buds of the tea bush. Typically such teas are covered with fine hairs of the tea bud, and have a whitish appearance in the dry leaf, which produces a sweet and delicately flavored pale infusion. Examples of White Tea are White Peony and Shou Mei Wang.

Yellow Tea is mildly fermented type and processing is quite similar to Green Tea, apart from the additional steps taken to turn the tea leaves yellow. One famous known Yellow Tea is Yin Zhen or known as Silver Needle.

Red Tea is the late fermented type. The raw green tea leaves turn black after being piled up for fermentation. Red Tea leaves are usually used as raw ingredient for many types of compressed tea.

Black Tea is 100% fermented tea. It is described based on the color of the liquor the tea produce. Black Tea is often taken with the addition of milk and or sugar. Lapsang Souchong, Earl Grey and Darjeeling are famous Black Tea.

Oolong Tea is somewhere between green and black teas in their production methods, and are consumed without milk or sugar. Oolong Tea is a partially fermented tea. These teas are extremely flavor some and highly aromatic, yet contain no additives. Tie Guan Yin and Da hong Pao are famous Oolong Tea.

Pu-Erh is the general name given to a class of non-fermented green tea and red 100% fermented tea. There are two types of Pu-Erh raw and cooked. Many Pu-Erh teas are compressed into disc, bowl or other shapes and then dried.

All teas have their own health benefits; you can read more at Teacuppa's Library link at their website. How about infusions? They are not considered true teas because they are made from dried herbs and do not contain tea leaves for examples, Herbal infusion, Fruit mélange infusions, Rooibos and Maté.

Herbal teas are caffeine-free and low in calories; they are popular for their medicinal and calming qualities. Lavender is said to relieve stress and reduce fatigue. As for Rosebuds, they add sparks to women beauty, relieve menstrual pain and ease stomach bloatedness.
Characteristic – Varies widely in appearance and tasted
Taste – Mild and refreshing
Body – Light to medium
Serving Method – Honey or sugar can be added to enhance the flavour
Caffeine - Caffeine-free
Examples – Lavender, Jasmine, Rosebuds, Kuding

Fruit mélange infusions contain no caffeine, artificial preservatives, flavouring, and colouring. It is soothing, relaxing and calming making it a great drink to be taken at anytime of the day. Definately, a hit among children. Rich in Vitamin C and iron, Fruit Mélange Infusion is an ideal dietary supplement for promoting health and preventing diseases. All Fruit Mélange Infusions contain rosehips and/or hibiscus.
Characteristic – Generally, fruit mélange infusion produces a red or deep red liquid
Taste – Refreshing, aromatic, sweet and sour
Body – Medium to full
Serving Method – Honey or sugar can be added to enhance the flavour
Caffeine - Caffeine-free
Examples – Red Orange, Woodberries, Biedermeier, Fruit Garden, Peach-Apricot, Happy Day, Fruit Punch

Rooibos or red bush, or also known as red tea only grows in South Africa. It relieves depression, stress, constipation, and other problems such as colic. It is also good for people with insomia problem as it helps to relax during bedtime.
Characteristic – Rooibos resembles strong black tea in appearance
Taste – Strong and aromatic
Body – Medium to full
Serving Method – Rooibos can be served plain or with milk
Caffeine - Caffeine-free
Examples – Rooibos, Rooibos Green, Rooibos Lemon

Maté is a popular beverage in South America. In several countries in South America, maté is considered a national drink. It is commonly used as a tonic, diuretic, stimulant to reduce fatigue, and as an appetite suppressant. Sugar, lemon juice or milk is ussually added to Maté to enhance the flavor. Maté is gaining is popularity from time to time.
Characteristic – Maté produces a brown liquid
Taste – Strong aromatic drink
Body – Medium
Serving Method – To be served plain or with milk and sugar
Caffeine - Caffeinated tea
Examples – Maté green, maté lemon

Green Tea is a Good Drink

Green tea is found out to be a good drink. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant found in green tea, is at least 100 more times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells and DNA from damage believed to be linked to heart disease and other serious illnesses. This antioxidant has twice the benefits of resveratrol, found in red wine.

Bottled green tea has alot of sugar and if you make it on your own then you know how much sugar you put in so brewed by yourself is better than bottled. Lipton Green Tea has a label claiming its powerful antioxidents 190 to be exact it proves it potency in delivering what Green Tea is and why its good for your body.

Decaffeinated brewed green tea contains only 56 milligrams, less than half of the catechins found in an original brew. Flavored brewed green tea has 43 milligrams. Disappointingly, instant green tea has only 12 milligrams.

Here are just a few known health benefits of drinking green tea:

• Lowers cholesterol
• Aids in weight loss by burning calories
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Prevents arthritis
• Boosts your immune system
• Lowers blood sugar
• Helps prevent cavities and tooth decay
• Slows the aging process
• Reduces the risk of heart disease
• Reduces the risk of stroke
• Lowers the risk of blood clot

You can use either tea bag or dried leaves. greentea smoothens our skin, it helps in our body's elimination of wastes and body toxins which promotes prolong life with less entire body complications. Oolong tea is good for blood circulation and skin. Green tea may be fine for preventing aging in skin, but will do nothing to help your acne. Green tea has antioxidents which will slow down collogen breakdown, hence it will help to keep skin young looking and delay the onset of wrinkles.

The caffeine in the tea perks up your skin and tightens the skin so it does appear for a few hours that the wrinkles are diminished. However if you want to treat fine lines I would suggest you always use a moisturizer and use a mild anti wrinkle cream at night to prevent further lines and to treat existing lines. It calms the vessels around the eyes and makes them look less tired and worn out. Just heat up the tea bags in water and squeeze them out. Make sure they are not too hot to apply to the eyelid by testing them on the inside of your arm. Make sure the tea bags are cold and just put them over your eyes like you would a cucumber. you should feel a soothing sensation over your eyes

It is believed that the health benefits of jasmine tea may surpass those of green tea. Several studies have found jasmine tea lowers cholesterol levels. Other studies found that fruit flies lived 20% longer when jasmine tea was added to their drinking water.

The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids.

Understand The Miracle of Essiac Tea

To begin explaining what essiac is, we start at the roots. This tea originated in Ontario, Canada. Its name was derived from the name of a heroic Canadian nurse named Rene Caisse. So, simply put, essiac is Caisse spelled backwards!

The first treatments made using the brew in the early 1920's proved to be fruitful. In her autobiography, Rene described vividly how essiac tea came to be. It all started with a simple bath. One of Rene's nurses was bathing an old patient when Rene noticed that one of the old woman's breasts had a scar. Naturally inquisitive, she wanted to know why this is so. The old woman told her that 30 years back, she was in Northern Ontario with her spouse when she felt that her right breast had pain and swelling. She was then taken to some doctors in Toronto to have her condition checked.

The 4 phenomenal herbs used in making the tea are:
1. Burdock root contains Vitamin A, selenium and Inulin that strengthens organs such as the spleen, liver and pancreas.
2. Slippery Elm inner bark primarily contains mucilage, which is an enemy to toxins. It targets problems in our circulatory system specifically the restoration of plasma and lymph.
3. Indian Rhubarb root has malic acid and rheine. This herb eases bowel movement by cleansing the intestines,
4. And Sheep sorrel that has silicon, and some vitamins and minerals. Just like the previous herbs, it aids in digestion and proper excretion.

Aside from helping the digestive, excretory and circulatory systems, this tea also helps the immune system (strengthens the 'soldiers' which fight harmful substances that enter our body).
Now that we know what we're going to drink and how this is going to give us health (or help restore it), let's get down to the modern essiac. Today, the trademark belongs to Resperin Canada Limited (Caisse sold the name to them for just a dollar). If the original 'recipe' originated from a medicine man, then today's essiac has only one recipe that is available for everyone to peruse. This is the formula that was concocted by Doctor Gary Glum and is authenticated by other authors:

• 6 1/2 cups of Burdock root (cut into the size of peas)
• 453 grams of Sheep Sorrel (in powder form)
• 113 grams of Slippery Elm bark (powdered)
• 28.35 grams of Turkey Rhubarb root (also in powder form)

Also, use 1 cup of the mixture for every 2 gallons of distilled water when brewing. It is very important to mix the ingredients well. How? This way:
1. First, mix the herbs thoroughly.
2. Pour in the cup of pure water into a pot.
3. Boil.
4. Put in the herbs and cover again.
5. Boil for 10 minutes.
6. Leave the pot overnight.

The next day:
7. Reheat the brewed ingredients but do not bring to a boil.
8. After reheating, let it stand just for a few minutes then transfer the brew into bottles. Do not pour in the sediments.
9. Let the bottles cool down before putting the lids.
10. Refrigerate only once opened.

Keep the brewed mixture in a dry place, tightly sealed, and make sure that it is not hit by direct sunlight. Air and light are known to have damaging effects on the brew.

Now, how do we drink it?
Take 30ml of the tea everyday but it needs to be diluted to 60ml of hot water. There should be no food intake before drinking the tea. It is preferably sipped before going to bed.

Making Herbal Teas

The Chinese have used tea for medicinal purposes for centuries and you've probably seen the rows of herbal tea's on your supermarket shelves but did you know that you can make your own herbal tea that not only taste good but can also be used as remedies for common ailments?

Making your own tea is pretty easy you simply choose an herb herb mixture that you want to use and chop them up very fine. Use about 2 teaspoons of the herb mixture for a couple of boiling water. you can pour the water right onto the herbs or you can put the herbs in a tea strainer or some kind of a bag so that you won't have all kinds of debris floating around in your tea. Let the herbs infuse into the hot water for five minutes and you're good to go!

Here's some great herbal tea remedies that you can make at home:
Peppermint - If you have digestive problems or are worried about bad breath and a peppermint tea might work wonders. Use three or four peppermint leaves and 1 cup of tea.

Parsley - if you are retaining fluids then you might want to make a parsley tea since Parsley is a natural diuretic and is also full of vital minerals.

Thyme - if you have a cold with lots of congestion you might want to sit on the tea made of thyme. Just pull a few leaves off and infuse your water. Add ginger if you also have a sore throat.

Ginger - Ginger has powerful medicinal properties and can work wonders on lots of ailments and can be particularly helpful in soothing sore throats. To make a tea you want to use fresh ginger root, peel it and cut off three or four slices to infuse in your water.

Valerian - If you are having a hard time sleeping a feel anxious time making a tea out of valerian leaves. Another tea that can help calm you is chamomile.

Feverfew - Got a fever? This herb is aptly named as he can help reduce fever, just add a couple small leaves into your tea and sip.

Most any herb can be made into a tea and taken for medicinal purposes. When choosing herbs be sure to choose organic herbs that are free from pesticides and other toxins. It's not a bad idea to grow your own herbs in a window sill container or in your garden and that way you'll have fresh organic herbs ready anytime you need to make an herbal tea infusion.

Green Tea is Good for You

We have all heard how green tea is good for us, but what does that mean? How is it good for us and why?

Historically speaking, the Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. There is archaeological evidence that suggests that tea has been consumed for almost 5000 years, with China and India being two of the first countries to cultivate it.

Green tea has been used as traditional medicine in areas such as India, China, Japan and Thailand to help everything from controlling bleeding and helping heal wounds to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.

The Kissa Yojoki (Book of Tea), written by Zen priest Eisai in 1191, describes how drinking green tea can have a positive effect on the five vital organs, especially the heart. The book discusses tea's medicinal qualities, which include easing the effects of alcohol, acting as a stimulant, curing blotchiness, quenching thirst, eliminating indigestion, curing beriberi disease, preventing fatigue, and improving urinary and brain function.

Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

A German study found that an extract of green tea and hot water (filtered), applied externally to the skin for 10 minutes, three times a day could help people with skin damaged from radiation therapy (after 16-22 days).

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant. It has been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that cause dental plaque.

How much green tea should you drink? The suggested amount is three to four cups a day. If you aren’t up to drinking that much there are green tea patches and supplements. The choice is yours.

Learn about Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea is called Camellia Sinensis (Latin). It comes from the same evergreen shrub that black tea comes from. Green tea is obtained by the light steaming of fresh tea leaves. The light processing method of tea leaves to make green tea leaves behind polyphenols, including the powerful antioxidants proanthocynadin and catechin.

Before we go in to the uses and benefits of green tea, lets look at why green tea is the most powerful antioxidant. Unlike other teas, such as black tea, green tea is not fermented, which gives it much more potent antioxidant properties, since fermentation destroys many of the health benefits contained within the tea leaves.

This is why the benefits of green tea extract are much more powerful than many other teas.

Polyphenols of green tea enhances the body’s antioxidant enzymes including glutathione. This may be helpful in the treatment of arthritis. Glutathione has been proven to reduce inflammation and cartilage breakdown. Drinking green tea can protect against many diseases that are caused by free radical damage.

Green tea may play a part in relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flashes if it’s taken both day and night. Green tea may also help to balance estrogen levels.

Tooth decay can be prevented by the use of green tea, the air flow in the lungs of asthma patients’ are improved, and mental alertness is strengthened. Green tea extract is used as an appetite suppressant in weight loss.

Further In To the Benefits of Green Tea
Many studies by various researchers have shown that green tea has been shown to be 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C, and over twenty times more powerful than Vitamin E as an anti oxidant. Antioxidants neutralize and stop free radicals, which are highly reactive chemical substances that can damage cells, such as the body's DNA, leading to premature aging and disease. You need antioxidants to combat free radicals, otherwise you will slowly decay on the inside.

Anti oxidants are needed by everyone to sustain health, prevent disease, and improve longevity. This is why you are told to ear plenty of vegetables and fruits, as the vitamins and minerals within these vibrant foods, contain hoards of antioxidants.

Because green teat has great antioxidant strength, green tea extract acts as a powerful immune system booster, which is just one of the many benefits of green tea for your health.

The benefits of green tea extract keep on impressing researchers of modern medicine. As an alternative health remedy, many people turn to green tea for its known benefits.

Lets take a look at what green tea can do - it has been shown to reduce the damage caused by LDL (bad) cholesterol, which, if completely left, leads to the buildup of plaque in your arterial walls. This build up can cause heart attacks if left unchecked.

Finally, green tea seems to be a substance that can regulate glucose –- the body’s main source of fuel. Any glucose that isn’t used within the body becomes is stored by the body as fat. Because of this, green tea may be beneficial in helping one lose weight.

Green tea comes in the forms of tea bags, pure green tea extract supplements, or combination supplements. It is readily available in most super markets and health food stores. If three cups of green tea are consumed daily, it is likely you will reap some of the health benefits of green tea we have mentioned.

Precautions
You have seen many benefits from green tea, howver, there are some poins to consider - green tea itself has caffeine. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant, but unfortunately has a wide range of side effects. Most people are fine with caffeine intake; however, some don’t take to caffeine, very, so for that reason these people, as well as woman who are pregnant should limit their intake of green tea.

The good news however is that green tea extract supplements in capsule form have far less caffeine than the tea form -- and some special supplements are completely decaffeinated, while leaving all of the health benefits of green tea.

Our Tips For Obtaining The Best Green Tea benefits

1. Supplements in the U.S and UK. are largely unregulated many consumers only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a supplement with the amount of ingredients stated on the product label, or one that does not contain harmful contaminants. You can read more on this industry wide problem here. Due to the above points, purchase your nutritional products from only pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, such places adhere to the most rigorous manufacturing standards in the world for the processing of nutritional supplements.
2. The Potency of herbs can vary tremendously from one part of a herb to another. The “essence" of the herb is contained within the fiber of the plant and may constitute as little as 1/1000th of the dried weight of the plant. When the “essence” is extracted it is known as a standardized extract. Many people don’t know much about herbs and think herbs in product is the same as another, this is false information, and because of the above points, we believe people should purchase standardized green tea extract if they truly want the best health benefits of green tea.
   

Many herbal products on the market do not use standardized extracts because it is far cheaper for the manufacturer to use cheaper lower quality ingredients.

Standardized extracts also ensure you are getting the same amount of potency, which means you will get the same benefits of green tea extract -- from one capsule to the next. This is much more balance and again leads to much better therapeutic benefits.

What is Yerba Mate?

The first time I heard about yerba mate, I said it wrong by myself. Yerba sounds just the way it looks, but mate is pronounced "ma-tay". It took me longer to get used to the name than it did to get hooked on drinking it! So where does the name come from? Yerba is Spanish for herbs. Mate refers to the gourd cup used for drinking. In other words, yerba mate is literally a "cup of herbs".
Mate also has nothing to do with Australia other than the fact that it comes from the Southern Hemisphere! It actually flourishes in South America where it is comparable to North America's love for coffee and Europe's love for tea. Yerba mate has been around for centuries and can be seen all over Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil. It is so popular that you can regularly see people walking the streets with mate in hand. No, I've never been there to see it first-hand but it turns out my brother was even drinking it when he spent 3 months in Guyana.

The tea is brewed from the leaves of the yerba mate tree -- a species of holly that can grow up to 45 feet tall (15 meters). The leaf is packed into a hollowed out gourd and filled with boiling water. A kind of straw called a bombilla sits in the gourd for sipping the brew. Some cultures consider the drinking of mate a ritual. The gourd is passed around between friends and continually refilled until the taste is gone. This doesn't mean you can't brew it in a coffee-maker (like I usually do) but it's the traditional method for drinking mate.

Ten years ago yerba mate was almost unknown in North America but the times are changing. The health benefits from drinking yerba mate are far greater than that of green tea and as a result more health-conscious people have begun picking up on the concept of drinking mate. Sales are now 20 times what they were in 1995 and that figure will continue to rise as more people learn about it. Celebrities are even now boasting about their newly found drink.

Since switching to mate a couple years ago I have found myself full of energy and no longer needing as much sleep. I rarely get sick and feel altogether healthier than I've felt in years. Drinking mate also gives a strange buzz much like drinking coffee but without the shaking. I drink a cup in the morning and find myself alert, focused and completely refreshed. I'm ready to start the day and I often drink a cup or three as the day goes by.

You can purchase yerba mate online but it's usually available at your closest health food store. Some people are initially put-off by the funny look and taste of it. I agree plain yerba mate tea tastes a little like hay but I also don't drink my green tea or coffee black. A little sugar and milk taste great. If you'd like to try drinking it a different way, I have a growing list of recipes on my site. You may find something you like better and you might eventually be able to send in a new recipe!

I highly recommend trying yerba mate tea out for yourself -- especially if you're a coffee drinker. There are no side-effects and the health benefits are great. The experts say to have a glass of wine before bed every night for a healthier body and a longer life but why not go beyond that? I say have a cup of yerba mate every morning. You may end up loving it as much as I do!

Choosing the Right Tea Kettles

There is nothing like the smell of fresh hot tea served to reinvigorate you on a busy day. It does not matter if your cup of tea is made from the convenience of a teabag or from the classic spoonfuls of loose tea leaves; your perfect cup of tea should start with the right water temperature and taste. As you sip your afternoon tea, think about the fact that all the flavor and aroma filling your senses are made possible by the perfect equipment, the tea kettle.

Tea kettles were made not only for decorative purposes in your kitchen. Tea kettles were actually invented so that hot water for your tea could reach the ideal temperature that will eventually steep your tea into the ideal concentration. Truly, tea kettles make tea preparation so much easier without spoiling the flavor of the tea leaves.

There are various types of tea kettles in the market. From the overly stylish to the plain functional ones, tea kettles are basically classified according to the material they are made from. Choose form the following list the type of tea kettle that is most convenient for you; and remember that with proper care, a tea kettle will serve you the perfect tea for many years to come.

Stainless Tea Kettles

Stainless tea kettles are the most durable ones around. Stainless steel is relatively thicker and will not bend easily like copper. Also, a tea kettle made from stainless steel definitely outlasts one which is made from glass. As for the taste, stainless tea kettles do not tarnish the taste of boiling water which commonly happens with copper tea kettles.

Stainless tea kettles can be cleaned in a jiffy; therefore they are not difficult to care for. Depending on the thickness of the base, some stainless tea kettles heat fast just like the ones made from copper.

Copper Tea Kettles

Tea kettles made from copper are the most practical. Copper heats very quickly that is why it is the most conducive material to make tea kettles. The efficiency of copper tea kettles result in fast tea preparation without necessarily increasing fuel or heat.

In fact, a copper tea kettle should not be placed over high heat for it to have longer service life. If you are using a lacquered tea kettle, you can maintain its polished look by using cleaning solution that is not abrasive to copper.

Glass Tea Kettles

Glass is very light and easiest to clean. Tea kettles made from glass tend to be very stylish, with mostly modern and minimalist designs. For obvious reasons, glass tea kettles may not be as durable as the others. In fact they can have, somewhat, delicate caring procedures.

When boiling water with a glass tea kettle, it is best to sandwich a piece of metal between your stove and the base of the kettle to avoid direct heat contact. Never allow glass tea kettles to dry up while boiling as this may leave a stain at the base. With all these constraints, using glass tea kettles may result to slow boiling of water; hence, slower tea preparation.

Cast Iron Tea Kettles

Tea kettles made from cast iron are much heavier and definitely thicker. If only rust can be kept from cast iron tea kettles, most probably they will be the most durable too. Fortunately, when boiling water using cast iron tea kettles, a sort of protective layer of minerals build up on its base overtime. With this layer, these kettles will not easily take in rust.

Nostalgic of the farming countryside, some of the most beautiful tea kettles around are made from painted enamel cast iron. These tea kettles require special care to prevent the paints from chipping off. They should never hit on other hard objects and in no occasion should they be left boiling dry. Some painted enamel cast iron kettles have even become expensive collectors’ item.
To prevent rusting, keep your cast iron kettle dry as much as possible. Take out the water immediately after boiling. If you ever spot rust on the base inside, boil on it some water solution with baking soda and lemon juice. Do not use abrasive cleaning materials as these can cause scratches that can take in rust.

Health and Healing Properties of Tea

For more than 4000 years now, tea has been a faithful staple in many cultures and countries around the world. Used as a sustaining liquid for those suffering from infectious disease, there are many believers who have always asserted that tea holds powerful healing properties.

In some cases, they believe that tea can actually cure ailments and sickness. New emerging studies are elevating these assumptions from myth to scientific reality, providing significant evidence that tea is indeed a source of health and contains legitimate healing properties.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, second only to water, and in many parts of the world, green and black teas are mass produced from the plant Camilla Sinensis. Because of the way the beverage is brewed, it is also one of the safest beverages made on the planet. This is because it is made with boiling water until it is sterile. It is this process that eradicates just about every type of bacteria or virus commonly found in water.

For centuries, tea has not only helped promote health, it also has served as a as a social outlet (tea time), battlefield sedative (the British for years served their wounded tea on the battle field as a way to calm them), and has played a major role in at least one revolution (the Boston Tea Party).

Pirates used to raid tea ships and bounties were put on these pirates’ heads, sometimes even surpassing the bounties placed on pirates that raided gold and silver ships. Rumor has it that this beverage was so popular in England and the colonies that during the American War for Independence, tea was still served in many of the thirteen colonies under a collection of aliases.

Throughout this time, however, tea was also believed to possess qualities that promoted good health and it was believed that tea could help a sick or injured person heal. For centuries, this was merely attributable to antidotal experience, with no scientific foundation on which to base those beliefs. Recently, however, detailed research done by an array of colleges, universities, and research centers have focused on teas positive properties.

Japan and China initially carried out the lion-share of this research, which primarily focused on their tea-of-choice: green tea. Europe and the United States, though, have begun to get in on the act, focusing on green and black tea and the results have been nothing short of astounding.

Not only have many of the alleged healthful properties been certified, researchers have also identified other, previously unknown qualities of tea that have proven that the beverage possesses qualities that can fight prevent the introduction of free radicals into the body. This results of these tests indicated that because teas possess a high level of the antioxidant tea polyphenols, it is a great disease fighter.

As researchers have discovered these properties, they also have been able to map out the chemical composition of tea and pinpoint what they believe are the critical properties of this near wonder-drug.

These findings have allowed researchers to begin to understand what makes tea so effective in healing and promoting health. The most productive tests have come in the form of multi-disciplinary approaches, which consider data from epidemiology and field studies, laboratory tests in animals and historical accounts that are compared to current testing results.

Researchers have tested tea against many different ailments and the results have shown that it is one of the most effective methods that a person can employ to ensure that they are able to adequately fight against any of these sicknesses. The jury, however, is still out, as tea’s potential is only just now beginning to be understood.

Removing Caffeine from Tea

Do your teas have caffeine?
Yes, all real teas have caffeine.

In general, Green tea contains the least caffeine, Black tea the most due to the oxidation process, and Oolong falls in the middle range.

Also tea steeped in hot water for a longer time will release more of its caffeine than tea steeped with cooler water for a shorter period. A smaller leaf tea will release more of its caffeine than a larger leaf tea.

A Department of Nutritional Services reports the following ranges of caffeine content for a cup of tea made with loose leaves:

• A cup of Green tea (6 oz) contains 8 to 36 mg of caffeine.
• A cup of White tea contains 6 to 25 mg of caffeine.
• A cup of Oolong tea contains 12 to 55 mg of caffeine.
• A cup of Black tea ranges from 23 - 110 mg.
• Coffee generally contains 60 - 180 mg of caffeine.

How can tea be a healthy beverage if it contains caffeine?
Caffeine in moderation can actually be good for you. It stimulates the nervous system and promotes blood circulation. It also works as a digestive after a heavy or greasy meal.Caffeine increases the body's metabolism for up to four hours, which may be part of tea's weight loss attributes (don't drink your tea with sugar if your intention is weight loss).

You can also decaffeinate your own tea.

Removing caffeine from tea
Tea has a relaxing effect and can be easily decaffeinated:

• Add hot water to loose leaves and steep for 1 minute.
• Discard the liquid.
• This first brew contains most of the caffeine of the tea.
• Add water to your teapot and let steep for 2-3 minutes and drink that infusion that has only small amounts of caffeine.
• Over 80% of the caffeine is removed during the first wash of the leaves.

Consuming Green Tea

More people are embracing green tea and consuming it like never before. Green tea is regarded as a supplement that can be used in the weight loss regiment. And it’s so popular worldwide because of its natural ability to help shed extra pounds.

These days there has been increasing awareness about antioxidants and their role in the body metabolism. Green tea is one rich source of antioxidants and indeed there are some clinical trials that have proven its medicinal properties on malignant cells.

Some important beneficial effects of consuming green tea are as follows:

1 Weight loss
2 High energy levels
3 Enhanced memory
4 Elimination of body toxins

In a 24-hour period, consumption of green tea increases body metabolism rate by up to 5%. This is attributed to the surplus quantities of catechins (flavones) and polyphenols present in it and these biochemicals help in the oxidation of fat (or simply fat burning) and thermogenesis (process of body generation of heat/energy due to increased metabolic rate).

Green tea is believed to also regulate glucose levels and thereby checks fat absorption. Some reports says that a single-time consumption of green tea will burn about 60 calories in a day and that should equal to a light workout effect.

When green tea is included in a weight loss plan, it complements and hastens the fat burning process and the result is quicker weight loss while maintaining high energy levels. You can depend on this all-natural medicinal drink to get spikes of energy while your weight loss pills try to calm down your hunger urges.

A Long History of Tea

Discovered in China, tea has exerted a profound influence on societies and cultures throughout the world. The tea story begins in China around 5,000 years ago. the legendary Emperor of China and inventor of agriculture and Chinese medicine was drinking a bowl of boiling water some time around 2737 BC when a few leaves were blown from a nearby tree into his water, changing the color. As a scientist, the emperor became intrigued by the liquid, drank some, and found it very appetizing and was pleasantly surprised by its flavor and restorative properties. He immediately gave the command that tea bushes to be planted in the gardens of his palace.

Thus the custom of brewing fresh tea leaves in hot water began and it quickly spread. After the creation of tea, consumption spread throughout the Chinese culture. In 800 A.D. Lu Yu wrote the first book on tea, the Cha Ching. His work was so explicit and complete that it projected him into near sainthood within his own lifetime. Tea production in China, historically, was a laborious process, conducted in distant and often poorly accessible regions. This led to the rise of many apocryphal stories and legends surrounding the harvesting process.

Until the fifth century A.D., tea was primarily used as a remedy, due to the medicinal benefits attributed to it. From this time onwards, China's upper class adopted the fashion of presenting packages of tea as highly esteemed gifts and of enjoying drinking tea at social events and in private homes. At around the same time the Chinese tea ceremony began to develop and the tidings of tea began to spread as it reached Japan.

Advent of tea in the west
Tea arrived in Europe via Dutch and Portuguese sailors at the beginning of the 17th century. The tea trade was a significant factor in establishing connections between east and west. In China, tea leaves were used as a substitute for coins. In Europe, tea was used as a symbol of high status and as a stimulus for many technological developments. The locals had to make do with tea dust to make their brew. Finding the flavor strong, they experimented with milk and spices, sugar etc. thus their was a whole new evolution to the methodology adopted for the preparation of tea.

At the beginning of the 18th century, tea arrived in Northern America, quickly becoming a desirable drink there as well. However the British later levied taxes on the tea commodities which greatly angered the general public. They exposed their frustration in the form of demonstrations and boycott movements that denied the ships carrying the tea items unload. One famous case was that which occurred in Boston, where a group of locals boarded one of the cargo ships and threw all their shipments into the sea. This famous occurrence in this regard was named the "Boston Tea Party"

A significant rise in tea consumption resulted from the appearance of tea bags at the beginning of the 20th century. With the various varieties of tea discovered, it is only but obvious that the entire world delves itself in the rich aroma of the brew. During the 20th century, the source of tea crops spread throughout the world, from Japan to Africa and South America. Towards the end of the 20th century, an additional rise in the western world's tea consumption occurred and also in evidence was a demand for quality teas.

India, which is the largest producer of tea (off late, its position has been displaced by china) did not drink tea for pleasure till the British introduced the culture. It was primarily considered a medicinal herb and with the British establishing tea plantations along the borders of Assam, the tea culture was thereby introduced in India.

Whatever be the origin, tea has now spread across classes and ethnicity to every of the world and continues to evolve even as you read this.

Health Benefits in a Cup of Tea

Tea is the dried plant Camelia sinensis. True tea includes black, green, white and oolong teas. Drinking two or more cups of tea a day can provide many health benefits. What is in tea that makes it so special?

EGCGEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant, has shown remarkable health-promoting properties in laboratory studies. Included are anti-viral actions, which offer more cold protection than either vitamin C or Echinacea. It is thought that the chemicals in tea stimulate gamma-delta T-cells that boost the body’s own natural immunity against both bacteria and viruses. Tooth decay or gingivitis causing bacteria are also killed. EGCG is very effective at destroying free radicals.

Flavonoids
Flavonoids, more antioxidants, lower LDL cholesterol levels benefiting the heart and circulatory system. These powerful antioxidants protect against hypertension by suppressing the production of a hormone, angiotensin II, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Further protection against heart attacks and strokes comes from actions that inhibit the abnormal formation of blood clots. In addition, anti-oxidants show effectiveness in lowering blood sugar and protecting against diabetes.

A diet rich in anti-oxidants can to slow the aging process by attacking free radicals before they have the opportunity to damage cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of these anti-oxidants also protect against arthritis. A diet rich in anti-oxidants can to slow the aging process by attacking free radicals before they have the opportunity to damage cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of these anti-oxidants also protect against arthritis.

Minerals
Drinking tea provides important minerals such as zinc and folic acid. An eight-ounce cup of tea provides 25% RDA of manganese, a mineral essential for bone growth and body development. Drinking tea hydrates the body and, as a good source of potassium, helps maintain healthy body fluid levels. Fluoride strengthens teeth and bones and can help protect against osteoporosis.

So the next time you need a break, make it a tea break with a warm, soothing cup of anti-oxidants and minerals!

Cha No Yu, the Buddhist Ritual

The “Cha No Yu” meaning hot water originated as a Buddhist ritual. Eisai, the Buddhist Monk was famous for creating the Zen of this ceremony, as well as for planting the first tea plants in Uji, a region near Kyoto Japan. These tea gardens are now famous, and tea is a way of life for the Japanese. Tea, therefore; became popular throughout Japan and by the mid fifteenth century, Japanese monasteries had copied communal living from China. These “Sung” rules or rules of living included how to prepare and consume tea, and were held in special tea houses throughout Japan.

The preparation and drinking of tea includes the Cha No Yu ceremony. The rules of this ceremony were founded by Murata Shuko (1422-1522), which includes inviting a few esteemed guests or drinking the tea alone. There is a pattern or ritual which is closely followed when preparing and partaking of the precious tea. This highly refined art form includes the Zen, a philosophy that symbolizes purity of spirit and soul, which become joined together when sipping the tea. The Cha and the Zen are also linked in the ceremony. Guests meditate and find peace within their souls as they sip their tea. The Cha No Yu reflects the values and culture of the Japanese, and takes place in a beautiful yet simple teahouse.

Murata Shuko’s original teahouse was lightly decorated to reflect the true meaning of the tea ceremony; showing a simplistic way of living. The teahouse in Japan today is called a “Chashitsu.” To reach this pavilion one must walk up a garden path reminiscent of a mountain path. The simplistic surroundings of the teahouse includes tatami mats, paper panels and wood. A painted scroll is above the alcove, flowers are placed in a vase and the kettle sits within a sunken hearth. Fine porcelain is imported from China and includes stoneware dishes, ladle, spatula, bamboo whisk and cast iron teapot. After a light meal, the host serves “Matcha” a green fine powdered tea called “Gyokuro” and is whipped with hot water to make “Koicha” tea. Strong tea is served first; followed by a weak tea; sipped slowly to find inner strength and harmony.

The Cha No Yu is an art perfected today in Japan, and is taken with great care and attention to detail. Over the century Cha No Yu’s rules have been perfected and refined. Tea masters have spent many years studying this ceremony, but the essentials have always remained the same, which are defined as serenity, purity, harmony and respect, otherwise known as “The Way of Tea.”