If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.
Japanese Proverb
I have been a lover of tea for quite some time. It started early for me. I would watch my grandmother drink tea in her fancy teacups. When she was done, she would turn her cup over on the saucer, and then turn it back up and look at the tea leaves in her cup. Sometimes I would be allowed my own cup of tea, and when I was done she would read my tea leaves too!
Tea has deep roots in our culture
Tea readings aside, tea has a long history and tradition in the world. Tea comes from the plant Camellia Sinensis — a species of evergreen shrubs or small trees in the flowering plant family Theaceae, whose leaves and leaf buds are used to make tea.
Depending on how it’s cultivated and harvested, there are many different types of tea from just this one plant. Each variety (black, green, white, oolong, etc.) has unique healing and energizing properties.
In general tea supports strong bones, a healthy heart, and a clear mind and improves muscle endurance. It decreases the risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. It also strengthens immunity against free radicals and oxidants, which can lead to disease and inflammation.
No wonder tea is the most popular beverage in the world, next to water. So, move over coffee drinkers!
But, what kind of tea should you be drinking?
Well, that depends on your taste buds, and how much caffeine you want. Black tea has the most caffeine and white tea the least. Herbal teas have none at all, and are recommended for their rich polyphenols that support the body’s cellular responses.
Herbalists have been recommending tea in one form or another for healing purposes for centuries. We can grow many plants for this purpose in our own backyards — chamomile, bee balm, lemon verbena, rose, sage, lavender, and peppermint, to name a few. All are delicious and beneficial to drink.
Green tea — By far the most talked about among health-conscious people today, green tea has catechins that help your cells fight against free radicals.
Black tea — Black tea is very common to tea lovers. It has theaflavins that act as a prebiotic to help support good digestion, and caffeine to boost energy.
Matcha — This is a form of powdered green tea, which speeds up metabolism, aids in clarity, and helps detox the body.
White tea — Not as widely known in the U.S., white tea is the highest in antioxidants with anti-aging benefits, and it is low in caffeine.
Cultivate your love of tea
If you’re ready to discover the allure and magic of tea, start by stocking your own special tea cupboard. Just make sure you buy from a reputable, organic source as the tea from many bulk and tea bag companies is laced with unwanted chemicals or mold. Select your tea carefully!
Cultivating the art of tea can be a rewarding experience. It’s fun to collect all the different tea paraphernalia, like tea pots, cups, and strainers to match whichever tea you’re brewing. A cup of tea lends itself to ceremony. Create your own special rituals and enjoy drinking these healing beverages to the fullest!
Brew a delicious cup of tea for your Gorgeously Healthy body and soul,
Gay