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Its early morning and you’re in the mood for a lovely cup of tea to start your day off just right. You reach for your favorite tea – be it English Breakfast Tea, Lipton, Chai or lemon grass freshly plucked from your kitchen garden – place it in your favorite cup, add some boiling water, a little sugar and maybe even a tack of milk. But have you ever stopped to consider what gives your tea its taste? Or that ideally, you should let your herbal tea rest for 10 to 20 minutes in order to allow the helpful chemicals to be extracted so you get the full benefits of the brew? Read on for some fascinating ways to give yourself a health boost!
Healthy Heart – Black Tea can have a surprising positive impact on your blood pressure! A study done on hypertensive patients at an Italian University found that as little as one cup of tea per day supports healthy arterial function and blood pressure which means that drinking at least a cup of Black Tea a day can lead to a reduction in the incidence of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular diseases.
Healthy Head – Hate popping pills? Steep one or two teaspoons of fresh, lightly crushed Rosemary or two teaspoons of the dried variety in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes then sip for a natural no-pill remedy for your headache. Rosemary helps to dilate blood vessels and keeps them relaxed to help ease the restrictions that lead to headaches.
For many people, caffeine also leads to headache relief by controlling blood flow. Black, green, oolong and white teas all contain varying amounts of caffeine and can give you that extra boost you need to feel better.
Amazed yet? Wait, there’s more: If you suffer from migraines, consider giving ginger tea a try to ease the pain as well as to prevent it. One study found that a strong dose of ginger can be just as effective as a dose of prescription migraine medicine and research shows that ginger can also prevent migraines. Make your own tea by steeping fresh sliced ginger in boiling water for 10 minutes.
Healthy Skin – Did you know that you can treat minor burns such as scalds or sun burn with your every day black tea? Soak a cloth in cool, strong black tea and rest it on the affected area, the tannic acid in black tea will help to soothe the pain.
Healthy Teeth—Although it sounds counter intuitive, drinking black tea to help protect your teeth! Black Tea contains fluorides which strengthen tooth enamel – and to top things off: a recent study found that tooth decay is reduced by drinking three or more cups of black tea daily. Seems like black tea has many more advantages, than just the taste!
A strong cup of tea infused with five or so cloves can sooth a toothache: swish with the tea or soak a cotton ball and press against the infected area. Did you know that tea can even help you lose weight and overcome the cold? But more on that in our next issue!
Smoked Ocean Gar
– Use 6 tea bags for every 2lbs pound of fish.
– For this recipe, you will need a pot that you are not afraid to blacken, an old metal strainer and aluminum foil. Or, you can substitute a steamer.
1. Season fish steaks with salt and pepper.
2. Burst open tea bags of choice and place in pot (bottom steamer pan).
3. Ensure that fish is completely dry by draining any excess liquid and patting on a napkin then place in top perforated pan. This allows the smoke to better infuse fish with flavor.
4. Cover strainer (perforated steamer pan) tightly with foil and place strainer in pot (for steamer: combine both pans) over low flame for 15 to 20 minutes then remove from heat and uncover.
5. Serve with blended herb oil with cracked peppercorn (featured in picture) or salsa.