AS THE LEGENDARY eighth-century tea master Lu Yu, author of The Classic of Tea, put it: “Tea tempers the spirit and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness.” Modern-day tea aficionados agree. In the midst of the rush of everything that can happen in a day, taking the time to drink a cup of tea is a delight for both the mind and the body.
Tea brewed from the dried and sometimes fermented leaves of Camellia sinensis contains polyphenols and flavonoids – antioxidants with a beneficial effect on health. Certified tea master Jennifer Goldin says epigallocatechin gallae, an antioxidant found in white, green, oolong, and black teas, is 100 times as effective as vitamin C and 25 times as effective as vitamin E in fighting free radicals and protecting healthy cells from damage. Goldin points to research from Pace University that suggests tea can even fight viruses and bacteria and help prevent diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis, and skin infections.
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Similarly, tisanes (infusions of flowers, herbs, spices, or twigs) can also augment a healthy lifestyle. “People have been brewing up fragrant pots of herbs in hot water since prehistoric times, expanding on their knowledge of flavors and medicinal qualities over the years. And now scientists are discovering that herbal teas possess significant antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, and antitumor actions that may protect us from disease.”
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Health considerations aside, what should you sip when you need a pick-me-up or just want to relax? Some of the country’s top tea experts offer their suggestions.
Rejuvenate
White teas are slightly higher in caffeine than green teas but low enough to allow you to sip without jitters. If you want more punch, add vanilla or chai spices (ginger, cloves, cardamom) to white tea.
Relax
A calming tisane can be perfect way to relax mind and body. Ripps’s favorite calming blends are chamomile with lavender and rooibos with lemongrass – it will soothe you but won’t make you sleepy.
Energize
To get your body going, try black tea with chai spices, says Ripps, since those are naturally energizing. Black tea contains the amino acid L-theanine. This amino acid boosts alpha brain waves that promote relaxed states of concentration and can boost energy without increased stress levels.” Try adding cinnamon to boost your metabolism, cayenne pepper to heighten energy (and cleanse the body), dandelion to stimulate bile production, nettles to increase detoxification, and wild alfalfa to alkalize food residues in the body.
Ease Digestion
Of course, the health benefits of teas and tisanes depend on what is brewed. For instance, gingerroot, brewed by itself or with your tea, can soothe an upset stomach, and brewing mint will help digestion.
For centuries, people have been drinking tea and deriving its benefits for mind, body, and spirit. It is a healthy habit. Kick the bottle – the soda and sweetened beverage bottle, that is – and drink tea all year long.
- Monica Bhide
Spirituality and Health
January/February 2013
At Renu Day Spa we are eliminating artificial or natural flavors as they lead to cancer. When you drink these teas you take antioxidants and free radicals at the same time, which is defeating purpose of staying healthy.
