Finds Clinical Trials by Tufts University in Boston

 So the news was bound to make the front page: Canadians are suffering from hypertension at an unprecedented rate. Nearly one fifth of adults (or 4.6 million of us) has hypertension or high blood pressure. And similar studies have been released linking hypertension to the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later on in life. Although Canada may lead the world in treatment for hypertension there are some preventative steps that we can take to avoid going down that road altogether, or at least lessen the chances.

The February issue of The Journal of Nutrition published a study that suggests that having just three cups a day of Hibiscus tea could help to lower blood pressure formed by mild hypertension in adults.

In the clinical study 65 participants were given either 3 240ml servings of brewed hibiscus tea or a placebo.

The results?

After six weeks hibiscus tea lowered systolic blood pressure by a margin of 7-percent while also lowering diastolic blood pressure by 3-percent.

The conclusion of the study was summarized in an abstract:

“These results suggest daily consumption of hibiscus tea, in an amount readily incorporated into the diet, lowers BP in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults and may prove an effective component of the dietary changes recommended for people with these conditions”

 What Else Can We Do?

Dr. Norm Campbell, medical professor at the University of Calgary (Alberta) has a few suggestions:

“The good news is there’s a multitude of different things we can do. A healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat is very effective, as is regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight,” said Campbell.

I’ll raise a glass of hibiscus tea to that.

I’ve read and been told many differing recommendations for how much water a person should drink in a day.  Can you drink too much? How much should I drink to lose weight? These are common questions about the oldest beverage in history and a vital link to every living thing.

8 Glasses a day – is this enough?

It really depends on what your goals are.  If you are looking to maintain your current weight and be properly hydrated then 8 glasses is a good rule to follow.  However there are many variables that can alter this amount – your age, weight, and physical activities should all be taken into account.  For a 2,000 calorie diet eight glasses is about right, but if your caloric intake is less or more then it should be adjusted accordingly.  A good rule of thumb is one milliliter of water for every calorie consumed per day.

Signs that you may be dehydrated:

• Headaches, dark yellow urine, dry mouth, difficulty concentrating, and feeling sick after a workout
• Hungry – sometimes this can be confused with being dehydrated as the signals that our bodies give off for both feelings are similar in nature.  Give a glass a water a try before reaching for a bite to eat.

A kick of flavor without the added calories

Some days I find it more of a chore to try to chug back my daily water requirements.  Instead of cutting it short I prefer to reach for some quick non (or low) calorie options:

• Spa in a bottle: Toss in some citrus fruits (orange, lemon, lime slices) and fresh mint.
• Slice and dice: cucumbers and cranberries are fantastic
• Herbal Iced teas: many herbal teas taste great chilled and add little or no calories. We recommend this berry tea.
• Frozen berries: as they defrost they slowly infuse their flavors into your water – and keep it chilled longer.

Water Intoxication: Is it real?

Well technically yes, it is possible to have too much water. Also referred to as water poisoning or hyper hydration, an excess of water can break down the levels of electrolytes in your body- leading to unnecessary stress on your heart and ultimately to a heart attack.  A rare occurrence but it has happened in the past.  Sticking to 8 to 10 glasses of water a day is well within the safe zone of water hydration.

A few years back I had the pleasure of visiting the West Coast with my wife.  Since we were there for a wedding and had some time to explore BC we seized the opportunity to take in as much as we could.  It was there that we had our first London Fog Latte, and I was hooked!  London Fog has been prepared a variety of ways but has a few basics in common- a tea base, steamed milk, and sweetened.

It’s exciting to see that larger tea houses are now promoting the benefits of tea and showcasing some creative infusions including tea lattes and infusions.  I am not so excited however that they cost so much compared to what it would cost to do it at home.  The great news is that all it takes is a few minutes to prepare.

This version of the London Fog (aka Earl Grey Vanilla Misto) is more like a hybrid of the Seattle Fog since we use a tea concentrate derived from steeping loose leaf tea in a small amount of water.

Oh and since we’re not a fan of the sugary syrups we scrapped the vanilla syrup and replaced it with Agave nectar and a dash of vanilla extract

Here is a list of what you will need:

• Loose Leaf Tea – Dorian Grey Blend (its our version of Earl Grey but along with Bergamot contains apple pieces, elderblossom, linden and mallow flowers, daisy white, cornflower petals, and a subtle caramel finish) or Buckingham Palace (black tea, jasmine, cornflower petals, and bergamot).  I find both to be not as overpowering as straight Earl Grey and have a few more layers of complexity to them.
• tea infuser/pot
• whisk (I found one at my local dollar store that works surprisingly well)
  
• agave Nectar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 cups water

For a garnish I like to add the following:

• 1 Honey Stick
  
• cinnamon powder

First things first- get that water to a rolling boil.  Once its boiling add the loose leaf tea to your teapot and allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes. This is also a good time to add the agave nectar and vanilla extract. Take 1 cup of milk and heat it (stove top of microwave).  Whisk until you get plenty of bubbles.  Take your steeped tea and pour into your mugs (I shoot for about half way- this is my preferred ratio of milk to tea!) followed by the steamed milk.  Scoop some extra milk foam on top and garnish with half a honey stick (1 stick = 1 tsp) and cinnamon (I’m almost neurotic about putting the honey on first before the cinnamon as I find the milk froth stays longer if you put a thin layer of honey on top).

Serves 2.  About 100 calories each

Share your comments with us and let us know how it turned out , or if you have tried this with other types of tea.  I have had it with peppermint and also substituted almond extract (the nutty-ness of the almond extract pairs well with Earl Grey)

*Note: This is solely my opinion on aspartame based on personal experiences and research.

Diet Pepsi, Sugar-Free Gum, Low-Calorie Sweeteners. What exactly makes them taste sweet? In most cases the sweetener is a deadly chemical called Aspartame (also known as Equal, NutraSweet, Equal-Measure, etc).

If you are like me then you probably reach for the packets of artificial sweeteners when having that morning tea or coffee at work. It hit me one morning a few years back when I took a look at the packaging…a really good look: “Take only on the advice of a physician”. Woah! Hold on a second- I have to talk to a doctor before downing this stuff??! This piqued my curiosity so I decided to do a little more research into aspartame and WOW did it change my perception of this so called ‘miracle sweetener’.

There have been many scientifically backed studies that have linked aspartame consumption to the following ailments:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Headaches & Migraines
• Memory Loss
• Brain Tumors
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Heart Palpitations
• Anxiety attacks
• Joint Pain
• Birth Defects
• Cancer (Brain Cancer)
• Obesity (It actually causes you to crave carbohydrates)
• And a whole laundry list of other problems

So how did Aspartame get such a bad reputation?

Well lets go back to how it was discovered. Back in 1965 James Schlatter, a chemist with the G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug and discovered Aspartame by accident. In the 80’s it was then approved for first dry goods then beverages. And thus started our obsession with the so called miracle low-cal sweetener. (Note: Aspartame was denied by the FDA more than half a dozen times before they finally approved it for consumption.)

So What Exactly is in Aspartame?

Aspartame is comprised of three chemicals: Aspartic Acid (40%), Phenylalanine (50%), and incredibly wood alcohol/methanol (10%) -all labeled in various publications as ‘chemical toxins or poison’. This cocktail of deadly chemicals does a real number on the human body- affecting everything from memory loss (completely counter productive to the inherent properties found in many whole leaf teas) to Parkinson’s disease (see our blog on how to combat Parkinson’s Disease). Some of these ailments are noticeable right away, while others are acute reactions often occurring gradually.

What Are the Alternatives?

Instead of reaching for aspartame/ sweet n low/ sugar twin try using an all natural alternative such as honey. We sell a great assortment of flavored honey sticks at our virtual storefront. (Note: If you have children under 1 years of age see the alternative below as they should not consume honey)

Honey is great because:

• It is nutritious. Honey contains vitamins like B6, niacin, thiamine, minerals, iron, zinc and certain amino acids. Honey is completely safe for pregnant women to consume and can provide these much needed nutrients.
• Has a healthy Glycemic Index (GI). This essentially means that its sugars can be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream resulting in better digestion and higher rate of metabolism (for weight loss and maintenance).
• Energy. Honey is a great source of natural carbohydrates and has been proven to boost natural performance, endurance and reduce muscle fatigue in athletes. Our honey comes in pre sealed sticks which make them perfect for camping, hiking, or any other instance where you need a quick burst of energy to keep you going.
• Cold Fighter. Honey helps to boost your immunity against sickness as it is high in antioxidants. There’s some truth to your mother telling you to drink up a mug of honey lemon tea when you were a kid! Add honey to a cup of green tea for a double shot of antioxidants that will help kick start your immune system faster than I can fall off a horse (and that’s pretty flippin fast – Ask Beth, she has seen it first hand.).
• Love the Skin You’re In. Honey is added to a full spectrum of beauty products including skin care, hair care, tanning lotions, facial scrubs, baby care, and moisturizers. And there is good reason why- honey’s hygroscopic (ability to absorb moisture) properties are ideal for cosmetics because they help alleviate dried skin while rejuvenating.

If you have children that are extremely young it is advised that they do not consume honey as their digestive systems are not developed enough to fend off any spores created by the bacterium naturally found in honey. Agave nectar is a good option that does not spike blood sugar and can be purchased at most health food stores and organic food markets.

The short and sweet of it all: Quit consuming products that contain aspartame. If the above list of symptoms did not make the health concerns associated with aspartame consumption clear enough then consider this- when you ingest products containing aspartame, your body processes it and turns it into formic acid. Essentially formaldehyde… that’s right – the stuff that morticians preserve dead bodies with. So stop pickling yourself! Don’t just take my word for it… Take 20 minutes and do some research, and you will see that the miracle sweetener is anything but a miracle.

If I were a crayon, I would want to be a green one. Green is my favourite colour… There is just something about it…

There are so many things that are green and great!

Mike Wazowski  from Monsters Inc, for example… He is pretty awesome, with his one big eyeball and little stick arms and legs… What’s not to love?

Of course, you also have green M&M’s and apparently there is something ‘a little bit different’ about them.

One of my favourite green pals that I have loved since my childhood is Kermit the Frog… Also, the best colour in the world – green! As he would say, “It aint easy bein’ green…”

I agree with him, it probably isn’t easy being green…unless of course, you are Green Tea.

Green Tea – Also Green. Also Great. But what makes green tea green? And what makes green tea stand out from the rest?

All teas – come from the same plant, the key difference is in the processing of the tea leaves. Green tea is made by drying the tea leaves, but not allowing them to oxidize, as is the case with black tea. This is what makes green tea, green. This processing, or lack thereof, gives green tea a lighter flavour and colour to be sure, but it also gives it something else that is vitally important… our little friends called polyphenols. The less processed the tea is, the more beneficial it is to your health, because the polyphenols remain in-tact. Polyphenols are the antioxidant compounds found in tea. The high amount of these polyphenols in green tea, is what makes green tea so great! Green tea has been consumed for years. It is an ancient “cup o’ healing”… and now that it is being put to the test in modern times, we can see why it was, and remains, such a popular beverage for one’s health.

The polyphenols in green tea have been proven to:

• Help lower cholesterol levels

• Help lower blood pressure

• Help fight certain types of cancers

• Help with certain skin conditions

• Help prevent food allergies

• Help reduce weight

• Help prevent the aging process…

The list goes on… and I will share more benefits (with evidence) in later blog entries.

There are many different types of green tea, and each has a unique flavour.

The strongest tasting green tea that I have tried is Gunpowder Green Tea. The tea leaves are usually rolled up into tight tiny balls that originally served the purpose of keeping the tea fresh when it was being exported to Europe from China.

Bancha Green Tea is your everyday green tea. It has a slightly astringent taste, being made up of mature tea leaves.

Genmaicha Green Tea has a unique nutty flavour to it because it is usually made by combining bancha

and brown rice and roasting it.

The most sweet tasting green tea that I have tried is Sencha Green Tea. It is a more delicate leafed green tea and a favourite for many people. The best example of this that we offer, is Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose. A very yummy blend. 

Green Tea… Just one more thing that is great about the colour green.

I will be honest… I have avoided writing this particular blog entry for a number of reasons – mainly because I am not a doctor and I don’t want anything I write taken as medical advice… With the number of emails I have received over the past few months about tea and fertility and tea and pregnancy however, I thought I should probably ‘bite the bullet’ and write this. I think it’s important to let people know what I know.

THAT being said… First and foremost, I am not a medical professional. I am your Plain Jane who has done her research on a lot of things including herbs and herbal remedies. Anything you read anywhere in my blog, is my opinion only, and should not be used as medical advice in any way shape or form.

One more time – just for good measure before you continue: Everything written by me is strictly my unprofessional opinion only.

Okay – I feel better with getting that disclaimer out there, and now I’m ready to go…

We are all our own judges. We judge the standards of what we put into our mouths and onto our bodies everyday. This means food, beverages, medication, makeup, cream… you name it. I think in order to make sound judgments we need to educate ourselves about what we use and put into our bodies. That means doing our own research and learning from other people’s. Of course we don’t have time to research every little thing we put on our skin or into our mouths, and I’m not suggesting that you should… What I am trying to get across is that everything on this planet has a purpose. It was put here, and has certain properties that can help you and of course hinder you. What we put into our bodies is fuel and as such, it affects the way we function.

The main question I have been emailed about is the consumption of herbal tea during pregnancy, or when trying to conceive. Specifically I have been asked about lavender tea. There are definitely certain do’s and dont’s with consumption of herbs while pregnant, and I am hoping that I can help you sort this out and give you some advice.

Let’s start with lavender. Lavender has been used for centuries as a sedative, antispasmodic, digestive aid and diuretic. (Water Pill) You will notice that it is added to many products today that involve sleep aid and relaxation. Lavender is generally a safe herb for consumption , however, like most other herbs it has medicinal properties, and therefore, technically, you can overdose on it and give yourself narcotic like reactions. Now, don’t go panicking yet! This should not put you off of consuming it as a tea, or using products that contain lavender. Keep Reading before you scour your cupboards emptying them of lavender related items. Depending on the species, lavender flowers contain from 0.5 to 1.5 percent of a highly aromatic oil which is where most of the therapeutic qualities can be found. Realistically – to ovedoes, ou would need to consume A LOT of lavender. So, in my unprofessional opinion, if you are using 1-2 teaspoons of lavender per cup of tea, you are ine to consume 2 or 3 cups a day. Like everything else, the key is moderation.

So my answer to the question ‘is lavender safe for me to consume while pregnant?’ – Yes. My suggestion? Try mixing it with Peppermint. I created a special blend of the two that we sell at Herbal Infusions called Peppermint Dream. Peppermint and lavender tea has both relaxing and energizing qualities and it is a great mix when you have been walking around carrying an extra person with you on feet that you may or may not be able to see anymore. There are definitely worse things to be drinking while pregnant, and your choice of herbal tea is a good one. While pregnant, large amounts of caffeine should be avoided. Large amounts of highly caffeinated tea like Yerba Mate, coffee, soda and diet soda should be avoided.

In fact… Here is a side note about diet soda… I would strongly advise against drinking it – ever. Most people don’t know that diet sodas containing aspartame may be even more harmful to your body than regular sodas. Aspartame has a chemical in it that basically turns to formaldehyde once you consume it. Formaldehyde. That’s right…the stuff that people use to preserve dead bodies. Do you want that in your body? Another little known fact is that it took the FDA more than 6 attempts before aspartame was approved, and it was only approved for certain types of diet foods because of the problems it can cause… Well – Now it is everywhere… and in my opinion should be avoided by everyone, pregnant or not.

Back to the herbs…

There are certain herbs that should NOT be consumed while trying to conceive or while pregnant. Some should not be consumed at all, and others merely should not be consumed in high or medicinal quantities. Some of these items on the list below are sure to surprise you.

1. Parsley

Most people think I’m crazy when I tell them this. After all – It is a garnish for Italian dishes, right? How bad can it be? Culinary amounts are fine… however, when pregnant or trying to conceive, large medicinal doses should be avoided as they can in fact be harmful. Parsley has been used as a cure all for a number of ailments: bad breath, digestive problems, kidney problems, bruises and insect bites, lice and parasites, promoting hair growth, and most importantly in this case to stimulate menstrual flow and increase breast milk production. Parsley contains myristicin and apide both of which stimulate the muscles in the uterus, and this can cause serious complications including miscarriage. In fact, at one time parsley was used alone and with other herbs to induce miscarriage.

2. Ginger

Ginger can suppress menstruation and has been used for menstrual irregularities. While ginger is great for you normally, it should be avoided in large amounts when pregnant. Research has shown that ginger is a powerful thromboxane synthetase inhibitor. (English translation: It can potentially effect testosterone binding in the fetus). Once again, a culinary amount is fine, just don’t go crazy and take it in medicinal amounts.

3. Sage

If you are using this herb in a culinary amount, you are okay – but there are a few little known, or perhaps long forgotten facts about sage that you might want to make yourself aware of. Sage oil has a high concentration of a chemical called thujone, which in certain doses, is toxic. Purified sage oil is highly toxic and should NEVER BE TAKEN INTERNALLY. It will cause convulsions in both animals and humans, and has resulted in comatose, mental deterioration and death. Our friend Vincent Van Gogh – Yes – The artist who went crazy and cut his own ear off – was good friends with an old time drink called absinthe. You have probably heard of absinthe, but did you know that the famous ingredient in absinthe is thujone? Well – There you have it. Many say that thujone is what made Van Gogh go mad. Even a prolonged use of sage tea has been deemed by some health officials to be hazardous to anyone, pregnant or not. Sage also has a mild estrogen like effect and can bring about a delayed menstruation period… as such, it should be avoided in large amounts during pregnancy.

4. Rosemary

While most places you look will tell you that this herb has never been shown to induce abortion, health authorities also advise pregnant women not to take it in large amounts.

5. Celery Seed

That’s right – Another common kitchen herb that can make things go wrong during pregnancy. Who knew? Celery comes from the same family as parsley, so it is not surprising that it would have some of the same properties and effects. It too has been used to cure delayed menstruation and has been used in large doses to end pregnancy. Avoid it in large or medicinal amounts.

6. Pineapple

In know, I know, you probably think I’ve gone off the deep end.  Am I going to list every item in your kitchen?!? No – I promise I’m not…but I wanted to include these common items because that is what you will be most likely to have and therefore consume. The leaves of the unripened fruit have been used as a diruetic for centuries and also have been used as a tonic to stimulate menstruation. The unripe fruit is actually considered posionous as it can induce vomiting. Large doses of the ripe fruit juice can actually cause uterine contractions. Unless you are ready to give birth, you don’t want that.  As with everything else – Pineapple, and Pineapple juice – consume in moderation.

7. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

In large doses this can stimulate estrogen levels in the body and interfere with progesterone. (Progesterone is essential in pregnancy). Vitamin C has been used to prevent implantation of he oveum as well as weaken it’s grip if already fertilized and implanted. So – cut out popping vitamin C pills and add vitamin C rich foods to your diet instead.

8. Pomegranate

This is one of my favourite fruits. It is known as a fruit of the gods, and it has been depicted in paintings and carvings for centuries… but why? Did the ancients know something about it that we don’t? Probably. Pomegranate has contraceptive effects. (This doesn’t mean to stop your birth control and start eating pomegranates instead ladies!) It has been proven however, that pomegranate seeds can reduce fertility rates. Maybe those folks from before our time knew something after all, huh? I mean, why on earth would people keep pomegranate, celery seed, and parsley next to their bedsides? Hmmm… something tells me it may have been more than a breath freshener.

Now on to the less known herbs that you probably don’t keep hanging around in your kitchen pantry.

9. Asafetida

Well – it is used to give worchestershire sauce it’s tang, but there is more to the herb than that. It is a member of the giant fennel family and along with silphium (a plant that was harvested out of existence because of it’s demand) it was used to prevent pregnancy and to end unwanted pregnancy. The resin of the plant was commonly used to induce abortion. No – this does not mean that you shouldn’t consume worchestershire sauce. It means that you should not consume asafetida in large amounts.

10. Cohosh – Black and Blue

Both black and blue cohosh were used in minute amounts for menstruation problems and childbirth, and in large doses, to abort. Blue cohosh especially – was commonly used to induce labour. There is a definite health hazard in consuming blue cohosh, even in recommended amounts. This is because it not only stimulates the uterus but also the heart. It is very unpredictable and should be avoided through all three trimesters.

11. Black Haw

Most people have never heard of it – but I thought I should include it anyway. This plants has been used as a pain reliever and contains salicin. Salicin is a close relative of aspirin. Chemically speaking, let’s just say that salicin and aspirin are cousins. There is also a substance called scopoletin in the root of black haw which has anti spasmodic properties. So, what does this mean if you are pregnant or trying to conceive? Simply put: Avoid it. Just as aspirin should not be taken during pregnancy due to the possibility of birth defects, black haw should also be avoided. In addition to this, it has the potential to relax the uterus.

12. Lady’s Mantle

Lady’s Mantel has long been used to cure menstrual irregularities. Because of this, it should be avoided, although to my knowledge it has not caused miscarriage.

13. Tansy

Some of you might have this growing in your garden – bright yellow flowers, dark green feathery leaves – okay to look at, but not to consume. In my unprofessional opinion, tansy should NEVER be consumed by anyone at anytime. Although there has been some research indicating that it is beneficial for a certain number of things, the risks FAR outweigh the benefits. This plant (like sage) also contains thujone. Along with allergic reactions, most other reactions to the herb are toxic. It causes miscarriage and it was used to abort unwanted pregnancies. In most cases however, the pregnant mother became very ill and/or died. I have also heard of people dying from drinking tansy tea, although I couldn’t tell you where I have heard it.

14. Feverfew

Like tansy, this plant also comes from the daisy family. It promotes menstrual flow and should be avoided during pregnancy and while trying to conceive.

15. Angelica

Despite it’s charming name, this herb is anything but. It induces miscarriage and was used for that purpose. It is also quite hazardous to your health, although it was formerly used in small amounts to a cure to a number of different ailments. In some animal studies it has been linked to causing cancer – What that means for humans I don’t know – But knowing that much – I wouldn’t ingest it, or advise anyone else to.

16. Mugwort

This is another herb used to induce menstruation. Anything like this should be avoided as it can cause miscarriage. Mugwort was used for a number of things, very few of which have proved to be useful, except for inducing menstruation. Definitely to be avoided while pregnant.

17. Juniper Berry

This can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage and should therefore be avoided when pregnant. For non pregnant people – many people have used Juniper as a diuretic, but what they are not aware of is how this particular herb works. It actually irritates your kidneys which is quite dangerous and as far as I’m concerned should not be used for this purpose.

18. Cramp Bark

There is very little research on this, however experts seem to say the same thing: This herb effects the uterus and the heart and should not be consumed by pregnant women.

19. Yarrow

Another herb containing thujone. This chemical causes miscarriage and should not be consumed, even in trace amounts during pregnancy.

20. Pennyroyal

This is another big no-no. This herb can cause miscarriage and it was used as an abortive aid. It should never, ever – in my unprofessional opinion – be used medicinally. It contains a highly toxic substance called pulegone and along with causing nausea, increased blood pressure and heart rate, sweating, clotting, liver damage and fever – it can kill you. Although pennyroyal tea probably contains very little pulegone (it was used before to ease indigestion and help eradicate colds and flus) I would absolutely avoid it, pregnant or not. Canadian health authorities by the way have banned the sale of pennyroyal in medicinal doses.

Is it just me or is Old Man Winter hanging around a little too long?  Here in Toronto we have been hit with storm after storm, dropping a gazillion feet of snow on our city.  With shovel in hand I have (like many of my fellow Torontonians) been digging out more often than I can remember in recent history.  To warm my spirits I usually throw on some hot water and relax with a cup of Genmaicha (it’s my cup of choice lately).  All that relaxing got me thinking…

I have been meaning to share some information on tea that I have stumbled upon while trapped inside and since this is my first post in a while let’s dig a little bit into the health related benefits of the small but mighty tea leaf.

Recently findings were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology related to a study that was conducted with a group of 63,257 Chinese men and women.  The study found that the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease could be cut by as much as a whopping 71% by the consumption of 23 cups of black tea a month (that works out to less than a cup of tea per day).

Researchers have concluded:

“Ingredients of black tea other than caffeine appear to be responsible for the beverage’s inverse association with Parkinson’s disease,”

I also found some information from this past September when the fourth annual International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health was held in Washington, DC. Many findings were presented that touched on the potential contributing affects that tea has on our health:

• Theanine (found in tea) was linked to the body’s ability to stay attentive and focused. Studies found that the most significant improvements occured when tea was consumed every 3-4 hours. What I found interesting is that the caffeine that is naturally found in tea helped to boost the effectiveness that theanine had in this study.
• Tea (naturally rich in catechins) may help support the brain as we age and provide a defense against dementia and other related ailments.
• Tea flavonoids may improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and improving blood vessel functions.
• Green teas rich in catechins may aid in weight management by reducing body fat.

These are just some of the positive findings that were announced.  Although our ancestors have known about the healing properties of tea for centuries scientific investigation has only really started to scratch the surface on the myriad of mental and physical health benefits of tea.   I’m sure that with further research we will be hearing about some amazing (and perhaps unusual) findings related to tea in the future.

…now where did I put my shovel?

I feel more alive this year. There is a new bounce in my step, and I find myself smiling at smaller things that used to go unnoticed. I feel like something has clicked over, a dial has been turned inside me and the world looks brighter. The little voice inside me is telling me that this is MY year. 2008 is going to be great! I am going to be unstoppable!

I was walking around in Planet Organic yesterday, a local organic food market that I like to shop at, thinking much the same as above… Finding happiness, being alive, feeling alive… when a girl that works at the store came up to me and said, “Do you have a copy of this yet?” She placed a magazine in my hands and I said thank you (rather absentmindedly) before looking at it. As she walked away with a certain bouncy step of her own, I glanced down at the cover to read the word, “Alive”… A magazine I have not seen before. ‘Canada’s Natural Health and Wellness Magazine’. A smile graced my face as I found the humour in being handed a magazine with the name of the exact word that I had been thinking about.

I am not one for reading magazines. I usually stick to too-thick books that I can escape in, but this one seemed interesting and I’m glad I cracked the cover when I got home, because there were a number of great articles in it, a couple of which were on tea. One article titled, “Tea for Two… Polyphenols” talked about black tea and it’s effects on cavities. The article briefly discussed the findings of a study on black tea that concluded that the catechins and theaflavins (polyphenols) found in tea can help prevent cavities. It also talked about tea being a natural source of fluoride, and that the fluoride found in tea leaves is “comparable to government recommended fluoride levels for drinking water.” According to this research (done by three different universities), the older the tea leaves, the more fluoride they contain. So, white tea, which is harvested from buds and young tea leaves contain less fluoride than black, green, or oolong tea. The article also mentioned that while drinking tea to prevent cavities, the tea should be consumed plain, without milk or sweeteners. This reminded me of earlier studies on the effect that the addition of milk has on black tea. (For more information about this milk study, read my entry from Dec 2007 “Got Milk?”)

Another great article in the January “Alive” Magazine is titled, “Your New Beau-tea Secret… Green tea isn’t just for drinking anymore.” The article outlines how the use of green tea for beauty as well as health, is increasing. “Green tea is best known as a healthy drink, a wise alternative to coffee, and a superb choice for the daily dieter. You know it as a ‘power tea’. What you may not know, however, is that green tea can be an effective beauty product, whether applied directly to the skin, or enjoyed as a delicious drink. Clinical evidence has proven that green tea is full of health and beauty benefits. Consider green tea as your secret beauty weapon.”

I will admit that I haven’t experimented with green tea as a beauty aid. Part of that is because I’m rushing from one thing to another most of the time and I don’t have very much spare time to try out these things, the other reason is that I’m a rather “Plain Jane” kinda girl and don’t give much consideration to beauty products at all. This article DID get me thinking about it though… I HAVE used green tea compresses on my sunburned skin before, for fast relief, and if that works, then I’m sure it can benefit the skin in other ways as well.

For a green tea mask that you can make at home for the adventurous type out there, the article says to mix 3 tbsp of mayonnaise and 1 heaping tbsp of green tea leaves. After mixing and applying to the face for 20 minutes, you rinse this off. I think I prefer to DRINK my green tea, BUT, I might try this out myself, just to satisfy my curiosity. If anyone out there tries this, please do let me know how it goes!

Happy New Year to Everyone! Make 2008 YOUR year too! Smile more, do things you love, and walk with your chin up!

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Every tea drinker has a certain way of consuming their favourite blend… Milk, no milk, sugar, no sugar, honey, no honey… Certain teas definitely taste better with the addition of milk, while others are better in their natural state. In general black teas including spicy chai teas taste much better with milk and sweetener than they do without. Green teas, herbal teas and white teas however are normally consumed au naturel. I came across an interesting article in the European Heart Journal on the affect of milk on tea. It showed that while black tea increased artery dilation, the addition of milk in that same tea made the affect of the tea to the arteries null. There have been a number of studies that have shown that tea can protect against disease including cardiovascular diseases, but milk was not taken in as a factor that could affect this. The researchers in this particular study discovered that milk protein largely voids the antioxidants in tea. This does not mean that tea drinkers who take milk in their tea should stop, but a plain cup of tea once in a while might be of more benefit to one’s health. “Scientists have been puzzled about the fact that the UK, a high tea-consuming nation, does not report the extent of health benefits of other tea drinking populations. This could be because most tea in the UK is drunk with milk, researchers say.”

For more,visit: Medical News Today

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A very cool study was released pointing to evidence that suggests that the amino acid theanine (found in green, black & Oolong teas) can actually help you fight off distractions as well. 

I’m sure more research needs to be done to either support or refute the initial findings, but this sounds pretty promising.  A lot of kids these days are diagnosed with varying forms of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and are prescribed a cocktail of synthetic drugs.  I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have my child asking for a cup of soothing green tea then for a few pills before they head off to school.