Tea…..a friend with benefits

"If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you." ~Gladstone, 1865

This is one of my favorite quotes. My friend Katie read it to me once many years ago and I connected to it immediately and have never forgot it. I have always found tea to be there for me when friends like Katie or my husband aren’t around to help pick up the pieces of my neurosis, breakdowns, break-ups, fat days and upset stomachs….When I was going though a harsh break-up, chamomile stroked my hair. When it was rainy outside and I felt gloomy inside a cup of Earl Grey along with a good book warmed my heart. When I work on the computer and need a little motivation, green tea always cheers me on. When I over indulged, a cup of lemon ginger or two were there to help me stop ruminating about much I over ate and/or drank.

There are always a plethora of tea boxes in my cupboard and occasionally I am guilty of packing my morning favorite (Yerba Mate) in my suitcase to shout “Good Morning!!” to me when I wake up on holiday…now if I could also pack Katie in my bag too...

Here are some benefits of various teas. See how tea can support your body and emotions….

Black Tea* promotes blood flow in the brain without over stimulating the heart. It helps prevent tooth decay and manages diarrhea

Green Tea* is chock full of antioxidants which fight free radicals that damage the cells. It keeps skin looking young and radiant and helps rev up the metabolism for fat loss

Lemon Ginger Tea is great for easing nausea brought on from overeating, motion sickness or post-operative nausea

Yerba Mate* is very energizing, antioxidant rich, digestion inducing, immune boosting and even aids weight loss

Peppermint Tea has numerous benefits, especially for those that suffer from indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. It calms nausea, gas, heartburn and dissolves gallstones. It can even control chronic pain, muscle aches and helps reduce even severe herpes outbreaks. It’s also an amazing stress reliever

Nettle Tea is high in iron helping purify the skin. It is great at helping calm asthma and fights against allergies such as hay fever. It is also good for the digestion system

Rooibos Tea is recommended for people suffering from irritability, headaches, disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension and mild depression or hypertension. It is higher in antioxidants than green tea and is safe to drink at night since is caffeine free

"Tea...is a religion of the art of life." ~Okakura