Oolong tea benefits have been known for centuries in the Orient. The tea has been cultivated and refined to perfection in Taiwan, China and Japan. Oolong, sometimes called WuLong, is taken from the camellia sinensis plant, the source for all true teas. Oolong is different for how it is oxidized or fermented. Its taste and properties lie somewhere between green and black tea.
Oolong tea benefits are similar to those of green tea, though most oolong is oxidized to a greater degree than green tea. It has less of the raw grassy taste of green tea and tends to be a darker brown color with earthier, woody flavors. Some oolongs when less oxidized can tend to have a green tea taste with a flowery flavor. Either way, the benefits of drinking this tea are legendary. Read the rest of this entry »
Papaya leaf tea is full of enzymes that break down proteins, which make it a primary aid for stomach disorders.
The main enzyme that the papaya leaf is famous for is papain. Papain is readily available from the milky white latex of the leaf.
Papaya leaves are large—20-28 inches in length. The leaves are considered a green vegetable while the papaya is a soft fruit. Of course, the leaves in papaya leaf tea are cut down in size for use in teas. Read the rest of this entry »
Chances are, you don’t look longingly at flowers, licking your lips and hoping for a taste; simply put, you are not a giraffe. While eating flowers might not be a common thing among the human population, it turns out that they may actually be good for us, at least their extracts are. This is particularly true for the Hibiscus flower.
The Hibiscus flower is actually not one flower but a combined genus of around 220 floral species. These flowers are grown in naturally warm, subtropical and tropical climates, such as the Caribbean. A variety of these species are known for their exceptional beauty and vivid colors, but they have also received accolades for their other talents.
Using Hibiscus flowers for health their health benefits has become a common practice. These flowers may possess similar benefits to red wine and green tea. Read the rest of this entry »
Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world, if not the most popular. It is soothing, healthy, tasty and a great pick me up for early mornings. It is also the master of diversity: tea comes in thousands of varieties.
One of these varieties is Fair Trade loose tea. For those who are not tea connoisseurs, Fair Trade loose tea is actually two different things: loose tea, and tea that has been sanctioned as a fair trade product. Read the rest of this entry »
It doesn’t take a health nut to know that herbal teas are all the rage. They are healthy, tasty, varied, and a great substitute to your morning cup of coffee. But, surprisingly, they are also quite easy to make.
One of the great things about easy to make herbal teas is the control: you can include or omit the herbs you want. If you are hoping to stimulate your mind, you can include vanilla. If you are hoping to fight off a cold, you can include sage. If you are hoping to soothe an upset stomach, you can include lemongrass. Basically, if you have an ailment, you can find a herb to assist you in beating it. Read the rest of this entry »
Going to the local coffee shop and ordering a Chai tea almost seems like cheating on your health: surely, you tell yourself, a cup of Chai tea is considered splurging. You won’t, you promise, do this all the time.
But, the above doesn’t have to apply to you, the Chai lover. Luckily for the avid drinker, it turns out that Chai tea is actually quite good for you.
When it comes to tea, there are all kinds of varieties that people drink. Some go for Earl Gray, some love green tea. Some people can’t live without mint tea, others opt for simple black tea. And, of course, some people are all about Long Island iced teas. Then, there are those who drink tea that many of us have not yet heard of. They sip chenopodium tea. Let us help you learn some of the basics of this unfamiliar tea.
Chenopodium tea is also called Epazote tea or Mexican tea. In some instances, it goes by the less flattering names of wormseed, or pigweed. No matter what you want to call it, one things remains the same: it is filled with benefits.
In the past years, the benefits of green tea have been well publicized: when it comes to health, green tea has gotten all the credit as other teas sit on the sidelines, steaming with jealously. While this press may have been warranted – green tea has been shown to be beneficial to your wellness – it is certainly not the only tea worth sipping. Shu Mee White Tea, for instance, is just as good for you and, in some instances, may even be more beneficial than its green counterpart.
Shu Mee White Tea, in addition to being good for your health, may also be good for your taste buds; it is grown and preserved in a manner that causes it to lose the grassy taste many green teas possess. For this reason, many health seekers find it, quite literally, easier to swallow.
Is there anything more relaxing than sitting back and enjoying a warm cup of tea? Tea is a great way to start the day and the perfect means to winding it down. It is also provides numerous health benefits. People have been touting the benefits of tea for centuries. Recently, there is even more emphasis on the particular types of tea.
No matter where you live, we all have our own preferences when it comes to tea. For the first time tea drinker the terminologies can be a little confusing. For example, many people couldn’t explain the difference between black, green, and white tea. Could you?
Juniper berries are often used in the culinary world as a spice to enhance meat, stuffings, sausages, stews, and soups and marinades. As an herbal remedy juniper berries are used in an herbal infusion by herbalists for urinary tract and bladder infections and inflammations and to to reduce water retention.
You can make juniper tea by adding 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tablespoon of juniper berries, covering, and allowing the berries to steep for 20 minutes. The usual dosage is 1 cup twice a day.
At Starwest Botanicals, we enjoy making herbal teas and infusions and wanted to share this video on making your own Juniper Berry Infusion. We stock high quality wild-crafted juniper berries and organic juniper berries for use in your own remedies and preparations.
Juniper should not be taken internally by pregnant women or by individuals with kidney problems. Juniper contains a potent volatile essential oil, oil of sabinal. Not for use exceeding four to six weeks in succession; contraindicated in inflammatory kidney disease. Before taking for a medical condition, it is best to consult with a physician.
