Weather the Winter Season

with Healing Teas, Ayurveda,

Yoga and Steeped Spa
Treatments

Your Own Personal Firewall

for Cold and Flu Season .............................18-21
An Ancient Health Brew ...................................2-3
The Wonders of Tea

The Science of Life ............................................4-7

The Teas that Bind ..........................................8-11
Cultivating Nourishing Traditions
with Your Children

Dr. Andrew Weil

and his Passion for Tea ...............................12-13
Heart Health in a Tea Cup ............................14-17
The Cardiovascular Benefits of Teas

Make Mine Spicy! .........................................22-23

The Secret is Revealed:
Grind Your Own

Submerge Yourself in the Tea Culture

of Ureshino, Japan .....................................24-29
Tea & Healing
in New Orleans ..........................................30-33
Bodhisattva Tea Spa

A Beautiful Connection ................................34-38

Tea & Yoga

Brew

An Ancient Health
the wonders of tea
by Michelle Rabin

ICK UP ALMOST ANY

health-oriented magazine today and

youll likely find an article about the
health benefits of tea. People around
the globe are embracing this beverage
along with the scientific research that supports its
impressive health claims.
While many things may be called tea, the
term actually applies specifically to the Camellia
sinensis plant which has over 180 varieties. This
evergreen shrub was believed to be discovered
during the Shang Dynasty during the second
millennium BC in the region of the Yellow River
that has come to be known as the Cradle of
Chinese Civilization. This was a time of important
discoveries and tea was valued for its significant
medicinal properties. Isnt it remarkable that today, in the 21st century, were finally confirming
the healthful properties of tea that the ancients
already knew?
The two varieties that most of us are familiar
with is the one from China, Camellia sinensis var.
sinensis, with small leaves and yellow-white flowers which is traditionally used to produce green

and white teas and some black teas; and Camellia sinensis var. assamica
from India which is traditionally larger leafed and used in the production
of many black teas. Different processing of the leaves after harvest produce
many well known types of tea such as partially oxidized oolongs and fermented pu-erhs.
The term herbal tea refers to a beverage that is decocted or infused
in hot water from herbs or any plant material such as flowers, fruits, roots
or twigs. This may include rooibos, chamomile or honeybush, for example.
The Europeans refer to this class of infusions as tisanes. The health benefits
considered in this article will focus on the ones derived from true Camellia
sinensis teas.
The Camellia sinensis plant contains powerful antioxidants which neutralize free radicals that damage the bodys cells. Polyphenols are the powerhouse in tea that not only impact the taste of the drink through tannins,
but also deliver important antioxidants, a class of flavonoid called catechins
that include the much-discussed EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate-3). EGCG
neutralizes chemical reactions that lead to cell damage and subsequent
disease. Tea is in fact the greatest contributor of flavonoids in the American
diet.
Fueled by a desire to bring together scientists from around the world,
using respected research methodology and collaboration to investigate this
amazing plant and its potential health benefits, the International Scientific
Symposium on Tea and Human Health was born. The fifth symposium, held
in September 2012, identified five key areas of ongoing research at major
universities across the country and around the globe.

Tea and Heart Health

Upon review of hundreds of studies focusing on tea and
the cardiovascular system, it appears that tea may play a
supportive role in heart health by improving arterial function and blood pressure and therefore is associated with
a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease. This is great
news for anyone diagnosed with hypertension as research
has documented that drinking a cup of tea after eating a
high fat meal shows reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Impact of Tea on Functional Measures of Cardiovascular
Health, Claudio Ferri, MD University of LAquila , Division
of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Cardiovascular
Prevention Unit Rome, Italy
Tea Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease,
Lenore Arab, PhD David Geffen School of Medicine at
UCLA Los Angeles, CA

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Tea and Obesity/Body Weight

This is the first time in recorded history that children born today
are not expected to exceed the life expectancy of their parents.
Obesity has become the biggest health concern in the U.S. as it
threatens our youngest citizens and contributes to this disturbing
decline in longevity.
Beverages account for approximately 20% of total calories consumed in the typical American diet. As tea is calorie-free and counts toward our recommended
daily consumption of fluids to maintain
adequate hydration, its easy to see
how tea can be a game changer.
Shifting away from high sugar
beverages in favor of tea can
have a profound effect on
everyones health. In addition, the
mild level of caffeine and active tea
catechins add to the opportunity to
maintain a healthy body weight as well
as promoting weight loss.
Several studies have evaluated the
potential role of green tea catechins and caffeine on obesity
prevention. It has been shown that green tea can increase energy expenditure by
4-5% and fat oxidation by 10-16 percent. A daily increase in thermogenesis
of approximately 95 calories can eventually lead to substantial weight loss,
according to a study by Hursel, Viechtbauer and Dulloo. Add to that the
reduction of calories that substituting tea with soft drinks will produce and
youre looking at substantial potential weight loss.
Hursel R, Viechtbauer W, Dulloo AG et al. The effects of catechin rich teas
and caffeine on energy expenditure and fat oxidation: a meta-analysis.
Obes Rev. 2011 Jul;12(7):e573-81.

Tea and Bone Health

Osteoporosis is responsible for millions of fractures a year. For the elderly
population, this reduces mobility; the loss of independence inevitably
reduces the quality of life for countless seniors. Research suggests that flavanols, the subclass of flavonoids that contain catechins, in green tea help
to reduce inflammation by promoting antioxidant protection. Inflammation
is believed to be the culprit in many common, chronic conditions. Evidence
supports bone building benefits as well, both by improving the formation
of new bone but also in decreasing the degradation of existing bone.
Tea and Bone Health: Steps Forward in Translational Nutrition, ChwanLi (Leslie) Shen, PhD, CCRP Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX

Cancer
As cancer rates continue to climb, its encouraging to review clinical studies regarding the impact of tea on cancer. Studies suggest that the daily
consumption of 3 - 5 cups of green tea could potentially prevent numerous
types of cancer from developing. In addition, research indicates that green
tea may play a role in a reduced rate of recurrences of certain cancers.
Role for Tea in Chemoprevention: Observational Evidence, Jian-Min
Yuan, MD, PhD University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Pittsburgh, PA

Cognitive Enhancements
Tea has historically been associated with cognitive benefits such as mental clarity and concentration. Centuries ago, early monks drank tea to
aide in their meditation practice by reducing the
likelihood of falling asleep. Recent scientific findings attribute these benefits to caffeine and L-theanine, two constituents of green tea. With the
aging of the largest segment of the population,
baby-boomers, it will be interesting to see what
role tea plays in preventing cognitive decline and
Alzheimers disease.
Effects of Tea on Cognitive Performance,
Suzanne Einother, MSc Unilever R&D Vlaardingen
The Netherlands
I think Symposium chair, Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg of Tufts University, said it best when he concluded, There is now an overwhelming body of
research around the world indicating that drinking tea can enhance human health....The many
bioactive compounds in tea appear to impact
virtually every cell in the body to help improve
health outcomes, which is why the consensus
emerging from this symposium is that drinking at
least a cup of green, black, white or oolong tea a
day can contribute significantly to the promotion
of public health.
For more information visit: http://www.tea.ca/
wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Fifth_International_Scientic_Symposium_Program_FINAL.pdf

www.thedailytea.com

the science of life

by Jerome Holmes Jr.
and Yolanda Cosme-Holmes

Embracing
Ayurveda

OU MAY HAVE HEARD THE WORD

Ayurveda once or twice lately, whether it was on a health

and wellness show, a trendy TV reality show or maybe in
your favorite yoga class. It just seems to be a popular holistic
health treatment these days, whether used for serious health
conditions or just for relaxation as a spa treatment.
Years ago we stumbled upon Ayurveda while looking for a modality
to help with our recovery from a major accident. We tried it, noticing that
some of the same principles that are used in the Eating Right for Your
Blood Type protocol may be derived from Ayurveda. Although slow and
steady, we have achieved great results with Ayurveda and we are now living a happy, healthier life.
For those that havent heard of Ayurveda, we recommend you try it
or at least research it.
In the meantime we will help you with our assessment of what is
Ayurveda.
Well, Ayurveda (Ayur means Life, Veda means Science) its one of the
oldest healing systems known, A Hindu system of medicine it is a naturopathic modality given to us by the Vedic cultures of India some 3000 to
5000 years ago. Most modern day western medicine practices are derived
from Ayurveda.

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Ayurveda is based on eight principles of practice:

1. General Medicine
2. Pediatrics
3. Gynecology
4. Obstetrics
5. Geriatrics and Rejuvenation
6. Poisons, Ghosts and Planets
7. Ear, Nose, Throat, Eye and Head
8. Surgery
Being a holistic practice, the goal of Ayurveda is treating the person as whole, mind, body
and spirit using nutrition, herbs, yoga and specific treatments known as Panchakarma. Ayurveda
believes in the importance of balancing the spiritual physical and emotional needs of a person to
create a well-balanced body and creating a sense
of higher self-awareness. Most of this done by
incorporating yoga and meditation.
The treatments of Ayurveda are under
the category of Panchakarma (panch means
five, karma means action) is a 5 step treatment
system of detoxification based on a persons
Prakriti (constitution or Dosha). Panchakarma is

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trols your bodys movements, the Pitta

Dosha controls your bodys metabolism
and the Kapha Dosha controls your
bodys structure.

Vata (Air and Ether)

favors warm, cooked foods and hot

beverages. Soft and oily foods, such as
pasta, cooked cereals and soups should
be favored over dry and crunchy foods.
Raw vegetables should be avoided, except in small amounts. Avoid cold drinks
and frozen desserts such as: ice cream,
popsicles, frozen yogurt, etc. This person
usually has a light build to the body.

Pitta (Fire and Water)

used as spa treatments in American

and European spa. But true Panchakarma healing practices are used to treat
ailments and detox the body to rid it of
disease. The type of treatment needed is
determined by a persons Dosha, What
exactly is a Dosha you may ask, well the
Dosha is the persons body type based
on a series of questions along with a
physical examinations and characteristic
personality test.
There are a combination of three
Dosha - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. A person
can be a particular Dosha, a combination of Doshas or tri-Dosha. For instance
Jerome is Kapha-Vata and Yolanda is
Pitta-Kapha Dosha.
The Doshas are based on the
elements body type and each has their
own attributes.
For instance - the Vata Dosha con-

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favors juicy, cooling foods with high

water content while avoiding hot spices
alcohol, vinegar, fried foods, tomatoes,
yogurt and cheese. Foods should be
fresh and organic, if possible. Avoid leftovers, packaged, canned or bottled foods,
processed foods, preservatives, artificial
ingredients and salty foods. This person
usually has a medium build to the body.
Kapha (Earth and Water) - favors
warm foods and hot beverages. Eat
a minimum of oil and fat. Avoid cold
drinks, cold food, and frozen desserts,
such as: ice cream, popsicles, frozen
yogurt, etc. Avoid leftovers, canned,
bottled, or packaged foods, frozen foods,
processed foods, rich, creamy foods,
sweets, salty foods and alcohol. This
person usually has a large solid powerful
build to the body.
Once a persons Dosha is determined, they are well on the way to a
whole lifestyle change for the better.
Body by design based on your body
type. It is important in Ayurveda to follow a daily routine.
The Five steps treatments of Panchakarma are:
Snehana the preparation
and oleation of the body internally and
externally.
Virechana is the purging of
the body internally, this is done using
oils and herbs made into teas to be used
as laxatives.
Swedana steam treatments
used with herbs and teas in a sweat tent
to open pores and induce detoxing.

Basti is an oil or tea herb

enema used for internal cleansing and
detoxification.
Nasya this therapy uses oil
to cleanse the nasal passages through
inhalation similar to a neti pot.
Yoga is a common practice in
Ayurveda and drinking tea is considered
by some yoga.
The main practice in Ayurveda is
the use of herbal teas as salves, paste
or medicine. Ayurvedic teas are used to
invigorate, soothe, stimulate, calm, rejuvenate, cleanse or support.
All Ayurvedic teas tend to be herbal
blends to improve health. Sometimes,
black and green teas are added for
energizing properties. Some of the most
common ingredients used in Ayurvedic
teas are tulsi, cardamom, cloves, ginger,
cinnamon, fennel, roses, black pepper,
cumin, coriander and licorice.
These ingredients can be used in
a multitude of combinations based on
Dosha.
Most Vata teas are going to be relaxing.
Most Pitta teas are going to be soothing
and cooling.
Most Kapha teas are going to be energizing and for weight loss.
We have included our favorite
Ayurvedic blends of tea and of their uses. avid tea lovers rooibos or green tea can
Common Cold, Head and be added to boost weight loss properties.
We have also included a list of
Chest Cold For a common cold
with dampness (runny nose and conges- common Ayurvedic teas based on ones
Dosha.
tion) or a head and chest cold a blend
Vata Tea Calming and slightly
of holy basil (tulsi), licorice and marshwarming this tea includes the following
mallow flowers, orris root, hyssop and
Malabar nut helps support the respirato- ingredients, chamomile, saffron, licorice, ginger root, fennel seeds, rosebuds,
ry system and balance the dampness in
spearmint, rosehips, lemon grass, tulsi
the body.
(holy basil) and orange peels.
Sore throat, Fever and
Pitta Tea Blood cleansing &
Cough A tea of tulsi, rooibos, a
cooling this tea includes, chrysantheslice of fresh ginger and raw honey will
help soothe the sore throat and has anal- mum, saffron, marigolds, green cardagesic properties to rid the body of bacte- mom, hibiscus, peppermint, sarsaparilla,
raspberry leaves and tulsi.
ria, this tea is great for cell rejuvenation
Kapha Tea Stimulating and
and alkalizing the body.
Diet and Detox A tea of heating this tea includes ginger root,
cumin coriander and fennel when used is saffron, black pepper, licorice root, clove,
a digestive tonic that detoxifies the body green cardamom, fennel, cinnamon, safand diuretic properties. This tea alkalizes flowers, peppermint, licorice and tulsi.
Ayurvedic teas can have many
the body and aids in weight loss. For

health benefits as well as be enjoyed

leisurely. Our favorite is Masala Chai, in
the western world we enjoy its soothing
creamy flavor, but in the east, it is used
to help with ailments such as digestive
stomach issues and inflammation with its
warming properties.
If you have ever thought about seeking help from an Ayurvedic practitioner,
we would recommend connecting with
someone in your area that has proven results based on reviews and certifications.
Keep in mind Ayurveda is not regulated
in the United States, so use of reviews
are very important.
Remember you must follow the protocol and be ready for a lifestyle change
for the better.
Research your practitioner, ask
questions, and consult your physician
before taking any herbs if you are on
western medication.

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The Teas
That Bind

Cultivating Nourishing
Traditions with Your Children
presented by SerendipiTea

Teatime with My Children

Family teatime is when we create a setting
for conversation and relaxation. We behave
with respect and courtesy. We listen. We pay
attention to the small details. In so doing,
everyone who joins us at the table feels
important. It is one way that we honor our
children and teach them how to honor and
respect others.
Babette Donaldson, The Soul & Spirit of Tea

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veryone seems to have childhood memories of sharing tea.

The sound of the kettle hissing,
baking cinnamon buns with mother;
a flush of anticipation before sitting
down to high tea with grandma and her
fanciest dishes; the teddy bear tea party
that marked the first day of spring. As
the second-most consumed beverage in
the world, behind water, its no wonder
that tea and tea rituals have been an important element of childhood experience
for so many, linking one generation to
the next.
Cultural and family traditions weave
tea into our lives in countless ways. For
some, tea time is a comforting daily
ritual- the clanking of cups and saucers in the kitchen is the call to gather
around the table and share the tales of
the day. For others tea is more formal;
the delicate dishes, careful preparation
and attentiveness elevate the experience
to an event. Even children create tea stories, urging us to become Mrs. Nesbitt,
sample a cookie, take a sip from wobbly
china cups overflowing with tea water.
It seems that somehow these tea leaves,
steeped and sipped, infuse our lives with
all sorts of meaning.
Looking back on my own chaotic childhood in which tea was mostly
absent, I remember feeling envious of
children who had special occasions with
the adults in their lives. I found myself
caught up in stories of special tea parties
with grandparents where the children
got to be the adults, of a baking session
where a carefully-guarded recipe was
handed down to the next generation, or
of a shared pot of tea, sipped all through
the night, that made a heartache bearable. For me, those stories seemed to
provide a clue about things that connect
people to one another.
Happily, by the time my own children were born I had already learned
to slow down, nourish myself in body
and spirit and take time to enjoy the
pleasures of tea with friends and family.
I began my own tea journey, borrowing
some routines from other traditions, and
creating new ones along the way.

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The early years of tea with my children began with a

pink tea set received by my two-year-old daughter as a gift.
I let her lead the way into hours of tea party adventures
with homemade snacks and furry friends. As she and her
younger sister grew, we made herbal teas together to be
shared with our dinner. Now, with my oldest grown and my
younger daughter in middle school, we are busier than ever.
But somehow, in the midst of it all, I still keep the lessons
learned close to my heart. Tea is our every day way of nurturing ourselves and staying connected to one another.

Introducing Teatime to Your Children

If you havent done so already, its never too late to
start your own traditions, sharing tea with family, friends
and especially children. All of the little people in my life
have begun their tea journeys with a variety of caffeine-free
blends and tisanes. African Rooibos makes a fragrant base
for my two favorites- Strawberry Kisses (think strawberries
dipped in chocolate) and Once Upon a Tea, a heavenly
blend of vanilla, chocolate and mint. And with names like
these, who can resist? Whether you decide to make tea time
an occasional celebration or a daily rhythm, these fragrant

SerendipiTea
SerendipiTea is committed to proving the highest quality loose leaf tea, selecting the
finest certified organics when available, and is committed to Earth-friendly packaging,
including post-consumer recycled and biodegradable materials and water-based inks.
You can find the teas mentioned in this story, plus many more at
www.serendipiTea.com.

beauties are an ideal introduction.

Setting aside a special time for tea is great way to get
everyone in the family circle involved since its an occasion
to slow down and take pleasure in each others company,
but with children, dont overlook spontaneity. Children
dont usually schedule their play time (and I dont recommend trying to get them to) so opportunities can pop up at
any time. Stay open to the idea of setting aside your laundry
basket the moment your young child invites you to a teddy
bear tea party. Lose yourself in the moment and go with it.
The years go by fast, but the laundry will unfortunately still
be there when the party ends, I promise.
School aged children enjoy a calming tea at the end
of the day to relax, unwind and share the triumphs and
tribulations of the day. Consider delivering a warm cup of
chamomile or lavender tea along with the evening bedtime
story to almost guarantee a speedy trip to dreamland. The
tender moments you create will make your child feel loved,
safe and cared for.
Sharing tea with children is not only fun, its an investment in their future happiness. I learned from experience
its never too late and the rewards last a lifetime.

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11

Dr. Andrew

Weil
and his Passion for Tea
By Katrina vila Munichiello

Dr.

This article has been expanded from the original that appeared in the November-December 2012 issue of Tea Magazine.

Andrew Weil graces the covers of magazines,

television screens, CD cases and book
jackets, extolling the virtues of integrative
medicine. His books have sold more than
ten million copies and in 2005 he was
named one of Time Magazines most influential people in the world. At
72 years old, this founder/director of the Arizona Center for Integrative
Medicine and professor of medicine and public health has even influenced
the development of a new restaurant chain. The True Food Kitchen chains
menu is based on the anti-inflammatory diet Weil created.
Throughout Weils adult life, his quest for wellness has made tea a
much-loved part of his daily routine. In 2012, Weil spoke to The Daily Tea
(then Tea Magazine) about his passion for this healthful brew.
Excerpt from Savoring Tea: Dr. Andrew Weil (Tea Magazine, Nov./
Dec. 2012)
With his bushy white beard, bright eyes and engaging smile, Weil
looks like he could have come from Santa Claus central casting. Instead
he has become the face, and voice, of the art and science of marrying conventional medical practices with complementary and alternative medicine.
Originally from Pennsylvania where his parents ran a millinery supplies store, he attended Harvard University and earned an A.B. in biology
with a specialization in botany. He continued his studies at Harvard Medical School and during his studies discovered a passion for the healing and
medicinal qualities of herbs and other plants. It is, therefore, no surprise
that Weil has become a great advocate of tea.
There is a great deal of research that people who drink tea live longer and have lower risks of heart disease and cancer, says Weil. I think
there are also psychological and spiritual benefits to tea drinking. Theres
a long history of a culture of tea in the Far East that is meditative and
reflective that we have not yet cultivated here in American society.
After high school Weil was selected to attend the International
School of America, enabling him to spend nine months traveling through
Japan. On the first night he arrived he was taken to a tea ceremony at a
neighbors house. The whole thing just captivated me. That was my first
exposure to matcha and using tea in a ritual way.
Throughout the colder winter days in Japan he became enchanted
with daily servings of sencha as well. He began to embrace a fuller sense
of tea culture.
Those first moments with matcha had a powerful effect, he still
enjoys a bowl on many mornings. When sharing tea with friends he continues to seek out good quality sencha. In his 1997 book 8 Weeks to Optimum Health Weil remarked that drinking matcha and sencha bring him
back to those early days in Japan. When I inhale a subtle fragrance, I am
transported to tatami rooms in temples and country inns...The experience
is sensual and meditative at the same time, and I know that I am giving

12

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my body something that is good for it.

...[Recently] another tea has caught
his attention: Pu-erh. Once again it was
an encounter with a perfectly prepared
cup that made him realize his past impressions of the tea had been completely
wrong. My first contact with Pu-erh was
a very dark, muddy brew. I was in China
[in 2011] and was given some really
wonderful Pu-erh. Id never seen light
colored, transparent Pu-erhs. They were
just delicious. When I told the woman
doing the tea ceremony about the kind
Id been drinking she wrinkled her nose
and said, We call that soy sauce, Weil
retold with a chuckle.
Dr. Weil has high hopes for the
future of American tea culture. He believes that the rising interest in yoga and
meditation is a sign of a new openness.
Our culture places a lot of emphasis on
action and were very fast moving. Until
recently, contemplation and meditation
were associated with passivity and inaction, says Weil. Mindfulness just hasnt
been core to western values, but I think
its changing.

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13

Heart Health
in a Tea Cup
the cardiovascular benefits of teas
by Nada Milosevic

HE WORLD HEALTH

Organization lists cardiovascular

disease (or CVD) as the leading
cause of death worldwide. The
first step in this process is often
damage to the endothelium (the inner cell layer
of blood vessels), which maintains arterial homeostasis. For this reason endothelial dysfunction
counts as an independent risk factor for future
CVD. Once damage compromises the vessel
lining, the endothelium becomes predisposed to
plaque formationcontributing to atherosclerosis, vessel stiffening, and blockage.
This is where teas benefits can play a
valuable role. Both animal and human studies of
tea antioxidants found that flavonoids (and their
sub-type catechins, especially) play a significant
role in improving blood flow and blood vessel
relaxation.

Cardiovascular Support
in Green and Black Teas

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELENA LAFRANCE

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While much research focuses on the benefits

of green tea, both green and black teas demonstrate positive results in improving cardiovascular
health. The body of research comparing both teas
and their comparative health benefits grows rapidly. A 2008 study in the British Journal of Nutrition observed a group of 21 healthy women and
evaluated their ingestion of both green and black
teas. The purpose of the study was to determine
whether either tea had an effect on blood vessel
function and blood flow. The participants ingested each tea separately and were tested 2 hours

www.thedailytea.com

15

after they drank either tea. The study found

that whether the subjects drank black or green
tea, they experienced equal effectiveness in
improving endothelial function and blood
flow.1
In 2009, a similar study evaluated 19
healthy males, focusing this time on black tea.
It included additional parameters to evaluate the extent of black teas benefits relative
to a dose-dependent response. This means
that researchers considered whether each
dose increase in black tea would result in an
increase in physiologic response, as measured
by improved blood flow. The study found that
the ingestion of black tea prompted not only
an improved dose-dependent blood flow response, but also decreased arterial stiffness.2
Research finds cholesterol-lowering
effects in green tea. One recent 2012 study
highlighted the benefits of green tea in lowering total LDL (often referred to as bad)
cholesterol and triglycerides. Additionally the
green tea lowered blood pressure, glucose,
and other health parameters. The subjects
were 46 obese patients who consumed a daily
green tea extract for a period of 3 months. The
amount of extract used in this study equates to
approximately 3-4 cups of green tea per day.3

Cardiovascular
Benefits in Tisanes:
While the above research suggests health benefits from green and black tea consumption,
there are several tisanes, or herbal teas, which
may confer cardiovascular benefits as well.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), a shrub which
grows natively in Southeast Asia may have the
potential to reduce blood pressure.
One study found that a single serving of
hibiscus tisane per day for 15 days significantly lowered both systolic and diastolic blood
pressure. Once the participants stopped the
tisane for 3 days, the average blood pressure
readings increased.8 In 2010, another hibiscus
study in which participants ingested 3 cups of
hibiscus tisane per day for 6 weeks found similar results. Even those with diabetes appear
to benefit from this herb. Researchers treated
a group of over 50 diabetics with a cup of hibiscus tisane twice a day for 4 weeks. Results
showed lowered total and LDL cholesterol as
well as triglycerides and increased HDL, or
good cholesterol.
Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) appears

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to serve heart health as well. The leaves, flowers, and berries of this plant have been used
for centuries by herbal practitioners to treat
cardiac conditions. Used throughout Europe as
a traditional remedy, hawthorn is considered a
therapeutic agent for a host of heart ailments
including: angina, heart failure, and hypertension. Some preliminary human studies indicate
hawthorns benefit in lowering blood pressure.
A 2006 UK study evidenced a hypotensive
(blood-pressure lowering) effect in a group of
diabetic patients already taking medication. The
addition of hawthorn to their daily diet for 16
weeks enhanced the hypotensive effects without negative drug-herb interaction.5
The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)
drew acclaim for its health benefits across cultures long before formal studies could examine
them. Referenced in literature since ancient
times, the Bibles Old Testament, Jewish Torah,
and Babylonian Talmud all cite pomegranate
for treating various medical conditions. People
believed the fruit to possess mystical qualities
with the ability to bring good luck. Roman
Emperor Maximillian even chose the pomegranate as his personal emblem. This fruit
grows natively from the Himalayas to Iran, but
for centuries has also been cultivated in the
Mediterranean.
Modern medicine has evaluated pomegranate in the lab, animal models, and several
human studies. In lab and animal models,
pomegranate appears to promote anti-atherogenic effects and reduce cholesterol levels.7
Human studies highlight pomegranates ability
to improve blood flow, lower cholesterol, and
mildly reduce hypertension. It is important to
note that these studies have been small-scale
pilot research protocols which, while promising,
are in need of additional study to further define
the extent of cardiovascular benefits.4 Thus far,
research in this area has utilized all forms of the
fruit and plant: fruit extract, flower, rind, seed
oil, and leaves. Pomegranate tisanes may contain varying parts of the fruit and plant.6
Tea and tisanes appear to provide heart
healthy support in several ways, from lowering
LDL cholesterol, improving blood flow, relaxing
blood vessels, and more. You can blend these
different teas and herbs to create a daily personal wellness approach and reap the cardioprotective effects in a delicious and simple way.

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17

Your Own
Personal
Firewall

S WE ENTER COLD AND FLU

season its time to strengthen our immune systems to

face the onslaught of sniffles, coughs, and sneezes.
The immune system engages in a delicate balancing
act. On the one hand, we want bacteria and viruses to
be quickly recognized and removed before they wreak havoc on our
bodies. On the other, we want our immune cells to distinguish these
invaders from healthy cells and protect them from harm. Your immune
system acts like a firewall to provide rapid response against invading
pathogens that can cause illness and disease.

for cold and flu season

by Nada Milosevic

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELENA LAFRANCE

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19

Research shows that tea possesses compounds which can enhance the immune
system and offer added defense against illness. To grasp how tea works in this
way, its important to first understand the nature of autoimmune illness and how it
interacts with our immune systems. Many different cell types comprise the immune
system, and they have different roles. By strengthening immune agents we improve
the bodys ability to ramp up certain immune cells to fight bacteria, viruses, and
parasites. Bolstered immunity in turn enhances regulatory T-cells which play a
supportive role in battling autoimmune disease and function as a targeted immune
defense. Autoimmune illness can range from simple allergies to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
Influenza one of the most common infections poses a serious health problem. In a typical year, this virus can affect 10-20% of the US population. Does tea
have an antiviral function, and can it help in influenza management? It appears that
a type of flavonoid called catechins, found in green tea, have antiviral properties.
Research evaluating green tea catechins found they exert multiple effects to reduce
influenza infection.2
One 2006 study had patients gargle with green tea to determine whether
this may prove to be a cost-effective way to curb upper respiratory infection.
This clinical study measured the effectiveness of a green tea throat rinse in 124
elderly residents in a Japanese nursing home. Participants gargled with a green
tea solution three times per day for three months. Those who used the rinse had
a significantly lower incidence of the virus.1 Other studies examine green tea in

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the form of extract capsules and as a

hand wash. Both forms demonstrated
positive anti-viral effects.
Even children appear to gain
immune benefits from tea. In 2011
Japanese scientists examined the effects
on 2600 children who consumed several
cups of green tea each week. The children who drank 5 cups of green tea per
week had significantly fewer sick days
from school. Even those who drank one
cup per week reaped positive benefits.
This study was so conclusive that the researchers touted green tea as a supportive measure against the influenza virus.
Catechins and the amino acid theanine both appear to support immune
function. While tea contains many
healthy compounds, these two complexes bolster T-cell function to fight
viruses as well as autoimmune disorders. Current research focuses on one of

teas catechins, EGCG (epigallocatechin

gallate). EGCG is a biologically active
compound that shows many effects on
numerous cellular systems. A recent animal study conducted in 2011 found that
EGCG increased the production of regulatory T-cells in the spleen and lymph
nodes. While the response was not as
robust as some medications, EGCG also
invites fewer concerns about side effects
and toxicity.3
Tea and its immune implications
have caught the attention of genetic
researchers. An area of genetic science
called epigenetics now focuses on
EGCGs potential to affect gene expression. Epigenetics evaluates the mechanisms that do not alter the underlying
DNA code, but affect downstream gene
expression. EGCG may be a compound
that promotes the expression of certain
genes and signal what cells get turned

on and off. In this way, immune cell production may be altered, triggered, or
decreased. This is one theory as to how tea, through EGCG, might affect T-cell production and the immune response.
Tea research also observes anti-bacterial properties. Bacteria are another immune system invader that can impact our bodies and cause infection and illness. In
2007, a study looked at the most common bacterial microbe linked to dental caries,
Streptococus mutans, and whether polyphenols, present in tea, played a protective
role in oral health. The results showed that polyphenols made for a less hospitable
environment to this bacteria and it reduced its ability to adhere and grow.4
In 2013, Pharmacognosy Review published research that conducted a thorough
review of studies specific to cavity prevention and oral health. This literature review
determined that tea can play a supportive role to help curb dental caries.
In both studies, green tea polyphenols appear to be effective against this microbe and provide some protection to impede its growth and adherence in the oral
cavity. With this in mind, tea seems to have a functional food role to promote oral
health and helps prevent one of the most common bacteria in humans.5
Tea may prove to be a tasty, cost-effective, whole-food approach to enhancing
immune health.
While more human studies need to be conducted to make conclusive statements about teas connection to immune function, there appears to be positive benefit from tea against a host of bacteria and viruses. Seems like a tasty way to protect
yourself from bacteria and the flu may be right in your tea cup.

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21

Make Mine Spicy!

the secret is revealed: grind your own
by Carrie Keplinger

VER WONDERED WHY YOUR HOMEMADE Finding and choosing whole spices

curry chicken isnt as pungent or tantalizing as the same dish

at your favorite Indian restaurant? Why doesnt the aroma fill
your kitchen the way it filled you senses when it was placed
before you? Or, try as you might, when you catch a whiff of
your grandmothers golden roasted chicken it always smells more succulent
and alluring than yours. And that taste! Youre using the same recipe why is
yours bland? And have you noticed black pepper takes on a completely different flavor profile fresh from a grinder instead of a shaker? Solving these
mysteries is surprisingly simple: its freshly ground whole spices!

Whats the deal with grinding your own spices?

Pay close attention next time you watch your favorite celebrity chef and
youll notice theres always a peppermill within reachand they would
never be seen using pre-ground black pepper from a shaker. With good
reason too: the freshly ground spice tastes better.
Quick food science lesson: When any substance is ground, torn,
or otherwise broken up, theres more surface area and, therefore, more
opportunity for subtle flavors and discreet nuances to escape. When that
substance is then packaged, shipped, and stored, it will further degrade
with timein about six months, as a matter of fact.
By its very nature then, that special tin of ground black pepper
youve been using bit by bit over the last several years -- yeah, its virtually
flavorless compared to the aromatic, freshly-ground whole peppercorn our
celebrity chef was using. Restaurant chefs are privy to this secret too. Thats
why their food just plain tastes better than yours. (Pun intended)
To sum up our lesson: Whole, freshly ground spices are to pre-ground,
store-bought spices as loose leaf tea is to tea bags -- the former smells
better, tastes better, and even looks better while the latter are of far lesser
quality and flavor. So when you use fresh spices, youll get far more punch
for far less than pre-packaged powders.

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By far the best place to find whole spices is at a

local spice shop, if youre lucky enough to have
one near you. Fortunately for those of us that
dont, both common and unique spices can be
found whole and grindable at many grocery stores
or by looking online. Also consider browsing ethnic grocery shops for spices used in those styles
of cooking.
No matter where you get your spices, make
sure to get the freshest, highest quality you can
afford. That might mean quizzing your retailer for
how often they restock, and it certainly means
giving everything a good sniff. If the spices found
arent aromatic or dont smell right, dont buy
them! And unless youre going to use a massive
quantity of something right away, its best to
buy your spices in small amounts so they dont
become rancid.

Lets get down to the grind

Now that youre excited about fresh, whole spicesand have hopefully tracked down some flavorful ones of your ownits time to choose how
youre going to grind those babies. There are a
number of options depending on the spices youll
be using and the quantity needed.
Almost any spice can be ground quickly and
in large quantities using an electric blade spice
mill but you might never need that much at once.
If youre working with nutmeg or cinnamon, a microplane grater will make your life easier. Theyre
also good for zesting citrus and grating chocolate
or cheese, so I highly recommend adding one to
your kitchen toolkit if you havent already.
For regular use of smaller amounts of dry
spices, you could use either a mortar and pestle, which will usually yield larger pieces, or a
dedicated spice grinder. When choosing a grinder,
consider its sizehow much spice you regularly
useand the construction. Spice grinders with a
ceramic grinder mechanism are reliable and last

for many years, even with regular use. The ability

to adjust for desired coarseness is also a consideration since many recipes call for spices ground
to different sizes.
At the dinner table, hand grinders are perfect
for the instant gratification of freshly grinding
small amounts of pepper, sea salt, or dried herbs
directly onto your dinner plate. By making spices
available youll be giving everyone the freedom to
season the dish to their personal taste.
Speaking of taste, it doesnt stop at grinding; you can add even more tasty layers to your
cooking by toasting the spices first, further
drawing out their aromas and flavors. All it takes
is a frying pan over medium heat. Place whole
spices in the warmed pan and toast for one to
three minutes, stirring to keep the pieces from
burning. Smaller spices with thinner skins, like
fennel, take much less time than larger spices
with harder skins, such as black pepper. Your
sense of smell is key here; when the spices smell
toasty and fragrant, theyre done, simple as that.
Carefully remove them from the pan to stop the
cooking process, and let cool before grinding.

Keeping things fresh

Whoops, you ground too much! Or perhaps you
want to prepare a large quantity of a particular
often-used spice mixture ahead of time. You
can store whole and ground spices the way
you would tea, in opaque, air-tight containers
away from moisture and heat. Freshly toasted
and ground spices will keep this way up to six

months before they lose flavor and quality, while whole spices can be
stored up to a year.
Now that you know the secret to freshly-ground whole spices, your
cooking will never be the same again!

Curry Powder
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons cumin seeds
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons cardamom seeds
1/4 cup ground turmeric
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon chili powder

Directions:

Toast cumin, coriander, and cardamom seeds in a dry pan over medium heat
for 2-3 minutes, stirring or shaking pan constantly to prevent burning.
When spices are toasty and fragrant, remove from pan and allow to cool
for several minutes.
rind until ne.
In a jar with an airtight lid, combine spices with turmeric, dry mustard, and chili powder.
Best if used immediately, but can be stored for up to six months.

Instant
Spiced Tea Mix
Ingredients:

4 tablespoons black tea

1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon cardamom seeds

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and grind

until ne.
Store in an airtight container for
up to six months.
To make tea, whisk 2-3
teaspoons of powder into
12-16 ounces of hot water.
Add sweetener or milk, if desired.

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23

Submerge
in the tea culture of Ureshino, Japan

Yourself

by Greg Goodmacher
presented by Mark T. Wendell Tea Company

OULD YOU LIKE TO SOAK IN AN

elegant Japanese bath filled with green tea and hot

spring water? The combination of fresh tea and a
gorgeously designed bath in an outdoor Japanese
garden is a tea lovers dream. My friends, Asako,
Satoshi, and Natalie, and I were enthralled when we heard about a hot
spring with tea. To luxuriate in that bath and to learn more about tea culture, we sojourned to Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture, Japan, for a hedonistic
exploration of Japans remote countryside, where enjoying tea becomes a
multisensory experience.
We first savored Ureshino tea culture at a traditional Japanese ryokan,
or inn, named Warakuenthe Japanese characters, , , and , translate
as harmony, comfort, and garden. As guests, we tasted our first cups of
the homegrown, hot green tea upon checking in. Meanwhile, a hotel staff
member hurried to light candles in ceramic tea-incense aroma pots. When
we entered our rooms, the soothing aroma of heated tea greeted us.
Upon arrival most visitors head to the hotels signature hot springs.
Guests who choose the most opulent rooms can bathe in private open-air
stone baths set in a small garden. The baths are spacious for one, or intimate for two. Thermal mineral water pours from a carved, stone tea pot. The
hot water carries the essence of the green tea leaves and twigs in the pot.
Hotel manager, Kyoshi Tashiro, recommended
we bathe slowly and appreciate the wafting tea fragrance. Tea bags rested invitingly on wooden trays
near the baths. Tashiro suggested we bathers slide
wet tea bags all over our bodies. While rubbing tea
bags over his face, my friend Satoshi enthused, The
smell of tea and an outdoor hot spring go together

perfectly. Asako commented that her skin felt

smooth, and the tea aroma lingered all day.
Overnight guests, as well as day visitors
(who pay 1,000 yen or around 10 US dollars),
basked in two large public baths. They were
shared, but separated by gender, and in keeping with Japanese culture, bathing was naked.
Gardens around the baths, filled with sculpted
pines, flowering azalea bushes, and artistically
arranged stratified rocks, filled me with a sense
of tranquility.
The hotel staff added five kilograms of tea
twice daily into the stone teapots from which
the hot water spouted. While sitting under the
falling water, the hydraulic pressure created a
hot tea massage that melted the stress out of
tight muscles.
How did bathing in tea start? The concept of
tea baths was born in 1996 during a brainstorming session between the hotel president and a

Mark T. Wendell Tea Company

As one of the countrys oldest and storied tea
importers, the Mark T. Wendell Tea Company has
been providing fine teas to tea enthusiasts for over a
century. We are pleased to offer a full range of estate
grown specialty teas, signature tea blends, herbal
and fruit tisanes, imported packaged tea brands, as
well as a wide selection of uniquely crafted teapots
and tea brewing accessories.You can find the Sencha
Green Tea mentioned in the Tea Bath recipe on page
131, plus many more, at www.marktwendell.com.

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25

Our skin and

bathing with tea

he average humans skin size is

around 21 ft2 of surface area. It is our
largest organ. What happens when
we give that semi-permeable membrane
a tea bath? Blood circulation increases,
muscles loosen, and tea components permeate the skin. Tea contains polyphenols,
anti-oxidants and other healthful elements.
Scientists are investigating whether topical
applications of tea can help cure numerous
ailments, including cancers or skin and
hair diseases. Many people believe tea has
such curative powers. Medical journals, like
the Archives of Dermatology, say this is a
possibility, but that more research is needed
before there is denitive proof. ne thing is
certain; bathing with tea is an exceptionally
pleasurable experience!

tea-farmer friend. They were seeking

ways to attract more people to Ureshino
and to promote its tea.
The tea placed in the hot springs is
made from byproducts after processing
tea leaves for drinking. Nothing is wasted. It is a win-win-win situation for the
hotel, tea farmers, and bathers.
The souvenir shop sold tea for
drinking and tea for bathing at home.
The store offered various items created
with tea as well as products familiar to
most Westerners: tea soap, tea shampoo,
tea facial packs, tea chocolates, locally
made tea pots, cups, and aroma pots.
And there were Japanese products
that surprised the Westerners among us:
tea in shochu, a traditional hard liquor;
tea furikake, a seasoning that many
Japanese sprinkle over rice, sweets made
with tea and red beans; pickled tea with
seaweed; and tea vinegar. Warakuens
restaurant served many of these Japanese items with elaborate breakfast and
dinner courses. Featured on the menu
were dishes such as shabu-shabu with
tea, or rice soup with tea.
Revitalized and hungry for lunch
after bathing in tea, we decided to walk
in search of a neighborhood restaurant

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that serves Ureshinos renowned dish,

yudoufu. Yu, or , which translates as
hot water.
, pronounced as doufu,
means tofu. Locals simmer the tofu in
Ureshino spring water, which has a
unique blend of mineral elements. The
alkalinity of the water slightly dissolves
the tofu, and the broth made with clear
spring water becomes effused with the
taste and color of tofu.
We found Azaumaya
, an

unpretentious restaurant where we

enjoyed our meal on tatami, woven
straw mats. The chef, Masashi Tanaka,
is probably the only cook in Japan who
adds matcha to the white tofu and other yudoufu ingredients (these vary but
seaweed, onions, mushrooms, and meat
are common). Tanakas ingredients
merged into a multihued dish of savory
tastes with a pillowy texture. He said it
took twenty-three years of

Tea permeates the landscape, the foods and the very essence of Ureshino City, Saga
Prefecture, Japan. Local residents warmly welcome visitors from around the globe.

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A Japanese
National Treasure

n important part of Ureshino

tea history is more than
360 years old, and it is still
living. The Japanese government
designated a Camellia sinensis tree
as a natural national treasure in
1926. Why? Shinbei Yoshimura, an
in uential samurai leader who was
responsible for starting tea production
in Ureshino, planted the tree.
Appropriately named
, or
Big Tea Tree, it stands approximately
15 feet high, and the branches spread
out a distance of more than 80 square
yards. The tree is still surrounded by
irregularly-shaped tea plots, plum and
cherry trees, wild owers, and old
farming homes.
Standing by the tree, Japans
past feels tangible.

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experimentation before he was satisfied

with the color, taste, and consistency.
Tanakas English is limited, but
when I asked him a question about tea
or spring water, he ardently discussed
the health benefits of the local water and
tea, which he believes can heal numerous health conditions. He shared with
us a scrapbook of pictures and letters
from satisfied customers worldwide.
As we walked, sated, toward our car to
explore the Ureshino tea fields, Tanaka
ran from his shop flourishing two bottles
of spring water as parting gifts.
A ten-minute drive brought us
from the hot spring center of Ureshino
to the outskirts of the verdant fields of
tea. Along the way, a colorful bus stop
fashioned like a tea pot but three-stories high, was a surprise. We later came
across another bus stop shaped like a
giant ceramic tea storage pot.
We were heading to Ureshino
Ochamura (Tea Village), a combination
tea-processing plant and retail shop
jammed with bags, bottles, boxes, and
jars of teas, as well as tea making implements. A wind of tea fragrance blew
from the open front door, although,
it was not tea processing time. One
spinning grinder, though, was crushing
tea leaves into a green powdery residue.

Tea-expert clerks offered free cups of

various teas. Two were unique to that
area. One was a black tea, the other, a
recently developed tea thats extra rich
in catechin.
Just outside the processing plant
stood a tea Soft Serve ice cream stall,
slightly larger than a closet. An old
woman dozed inside. We debated
whether to wake her or not. Deciding
she would appreciate the business, we
woke her and ordered. Slightly less
green than finely ground tea, and made
with milk from local cows, the Soft
Serve was creamy with the sweetness
and vegetal undertones of sencha.
From the ice cream stand, we
saw tea plants hugging the contours
of nearby hills. We meandered up one
steep slope of spring-green tea plants
arranged in curvaceous lines. More hills,
overlaid with small tea farms, rolled
into the distance. Stone terraces formed
stairways up and down the distant fields.
Aged homes lined a meandering river.
Two shiny crows circling in the sky
squawked loudly and chased a much
larger hawk across the valley. A woman
in her sixties with a plaid bonnet tied
under her round face temporarily ceased
trimming bushes. Without words, everyone smiled. The fields were so silent
one could almost hear the tea leaves
following the sun.
According to a local myth, Ureshino
got its name after an empress visited the
area around 1,500 years ago. She saw an
injured crane soaking in a hot spring by
a river. When it flew away healed, the
empress is reported to have said Ureshi
no! This Japanese phrase emphasizes an
event is a happy one.
My friend Natalie, a modern-day
visitor from France, had this to say about
her sojourn in Ureshino, I could really
feel the Japanese sense of harmony
when I saw the traditional tea gardens.
I felt very calm, and this feeling of
satisfaction stayed with me all day as I
traveled around Ureshino.

Create a green tea bath at home

heres nothing better for unwinding and relieving stress than soaking in a warm bath, but
the addition of green tea multiplies the health benets. Antioxidant-rich green tea baths are
refreshing and are thought to replenish and maintain healthy skin.
Creating a luxurious Japanese green tea bath experience at home is easy. Simply put 2-3 green
tea bags such as Sencha Green Tea, sourced from the Saga region of Japan and available from
Mark T. Wendell Tea Company, directly into your bathtub and run only hot water until tub is half full.
Let the tea steep for 15 minutes, allowing the antioxidants to be released and the water to turn
a lovely green color. Fill the rest of the tub with cooler water to reach a comfortable temperature, step
in, and enjoy!

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Tea&Healing
in New Orleans
bodhisattva tea spa
by Katrina vila Munichiello

OLANDA AND JEROME

Holmes have lived a life where

adversity and challenge have been
viewed as opportunity. From health
crises to natural disasters, they have
constantly adapted to new situations and through
it all, tea has played a powerful role.
Yolanda and Jerome were both working in
law enforcement when a serious motorcycle accident threw their lives into disorder. Jerome healed
and returned to his work, but Yolanda decided
she would instead follow her dream to work
in the medical field. She went back to school
and took a job in a doctors office and then in a
medical spa. In 2005 the couple also opened their
own cafe on Magazine Street in New Orleans, the
Urban Cup Cafe, where they began importing and
blending their own teas to serve with light food
options like sandwiches and salads.

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We learned to blend teas through

trial and error. I knew I didnt like to
use artificial flavors so my goal was go
find the freshest ingredients to have the
flavor I wanted. One day we sat in the
cafe with a group of students from India
trying to make the perfect cup of chai,
Jerome recalled. Everyone chimed in
with my grandmother did this, my mom
did that. We were there about six hours
when we finally got the perfect cup. The
cafe matured and the couple planned to

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continue their work for a long time. At least, they did until Hurricane Katrina hit.
Hurricane Katrina was the end of their Urban Cup Cafe dream. Jerome
went back to law enforcement while trying to turn his long-time hobby of
photography into a career by opening a photography studio. But there was another dream out there whispering in their ears. I told Yolanda that I wanted to
sell tea online, said Jerome. Right when I was about to start doing it, a space
opened up under my photography studio. The couple began hatching a plan to
open a teahouse, but they worried.
We thought about the teahouse and realized that you may not have people
come in every single day for tea. You have to supplement some other way, said
Jerome. We were both studying alternative and complementary medicine and
because of Yolandas experience at the medi-spa, we came up with the idea of a
tea spa.

The path wasnt immediately clear. Friends and family

warned them that no one would know what a tea spa was,
but the Holmeses were insistent. They opened the Bodhisattva Tea Spa, a holistic, Ayurvedic facility in Metairie,
Louisiana.
A bodhisattva is someone who has reached the stage
of enlightenment but sacrifices their own nirvana to help
others. The couple felt the name was appropriate since they
had used tea and the principles of Ayurveda to regain their
own health and with the tea spa they wanted to focus on
helping others achieve wellbeing and reach their goals. An
Ayurvedic practice seeks to balance internal systems through
diet, movement, and natural treatments in a way that helps people reach their full
vitality and potential. The couple brought in a massage therapist and esthetician,
installed a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna and enlisted the help of Reiki,
yoga, acupuncture and other Ayurvedic practitioners.
We focus on mind-body balance, detoxification and rebuilding, says Yolanda. As the name would suggest, tea plays an important role throughout the spa.
The Green Tea Detox utilizes a tea and mint salt rub to stimulate blood flow.
Green tea and mint also makes its way into hand and foot masques. Chamomile
is steeped and used as a toner which also calms and heals the skin. Tea leaves
are used in the saunas to enhance the steam experience. Herbal tea blends are
incorporated into Ayurvedic practice. Their signature blend, Euphoria herbal tea,
encourages relaxation and focus. Kapha, a blend of ginger, saffron, licorice, tulsi
and other spices, is promoted as stimulating. Jerome and Yolanda frequently create custom blends to meet the needs of individual clientele.
The Holmeses speak enthusiastically about their work and the potential it

has to change lives. The thing we work

on is getting everyone balanced and
back into their well-feeling self, said
Yolanda. They believe that tea is a key
part of that quest for healing and their
customers are embracing the vision as
well.

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33

A Beautiful

Connection
tea & yoga

by Anne Marie Hardie

This article has been expanded from the original that appeared in the
November-December 2012 issue of Tea Magazine.

the world around us. The asanas are simply a

EA IS AN ELIXIR that
practice of moving meditation, gently weaving
anoints our whole body with
almost the sweetness of a nectar the connection between mind, body and spirit.
like a honey. It softens our being Tea became a natural way to enhance this practo a place of relaxation, can awak-tice, and was commonly used by Zen Buddhist
en and stimulate us for those times that we dontmonks to assist with mediation and prayer.
According to Nina Navjit Kaur Sidhu, Ownfeel like going, Its just that sweet nectar of life,
said Ann Green, Owner and Founder, Bliss Yoga er and Director of Tea and Yoga Studio in Ottawa, Ontario, in Indian culture, tea is consumed
Studio, Barrie, Ontario.
throughout the day, even in the hottest days of
Born in India, the practice of yoga has
summer. My mother believed that drinking a
been traced back to at least 3000 BC, with
the discovery of ancient stone seals depicting cup of hot tea in the summer would cool your
yogic asanas (postures). Several historical texts, body down, states Sidhu. Part of the reason tea
is seamlessly interlaced into the yoga culture is
including the Veda, Gita and Patanjalis Yoga
sutras, all illustrate the lengthy history of this tradition.
Yoga is much more than a series of movepractice in India. Yoga, in India, is much more
than a series of poses. It can almost be viewed ments. Its about a creating a union between your
as a guide to life: encompassing all areas from mind, body and spirit. One challenge is learning
to still the mind and focus on the present, leaving
the importance of committing to the task at
hand to acknowledging the impact we have on your worries for another moment. Slowly savor

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35

ing a fragrant cup of tea helps accomplish this. Tea can build a connection to
ourselves and those around us. It elicits
relaxation, brings us harmony and helps
us connect with each other as a family.
Tea and yoga are so incredibly
complementary; they work together,
again speaking to the elixir component
[of tea], all that our universe is within.
Tea really exemplifies that and liberates
that, said Green. I find it enhances the
experience, its like a little bit of fireworks when you need that to happen or
it also helps with calming down at the
end of the day, giving you your own little sunset from within; each sip relaxing
and comforting you.
The integration of tea and yoga
seems almost timeless; however Yogi
Bhajan made traditional yoga and yogi
tea popular in North America during the
nineteen sixties. The yogi instructed his
classes in the style of Kundalini yoga,
with an emphasis on posturing, breath
development and mediation. With this
practice, said Sidhu, Yogi Bhajan shared
a cup of yogi tea with his community at
the end of each class. Not surprisingly,
tea also became an integral part of the
yoga practice in North America.
After each of her classes, Sidhu
connects with her yoga community and
personally serves them a cup of tea
spiced in the style of Yogi Bhajan with
cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorn and ginger. The spices found in
yogi tea enhance the health benefits of
yoga practice. Spices like cardamom,
ginger and black peppercorn form a
synergy when combined, helping keep
the brain healthy.
Bhajan believed tea and fostering
community were essential pieces of the
yoga practice. Traditionally served with
milk and honey, yogi tea follows the
principles of Ayurveda, combining the
five traditional spices to maximize its
overall health benefits on the body. If
you dont have the ingredients in your
cupboard, dont fret. Most black, green
and white teas have the brain boosting
combination of L-theanine and caffeine
that yogi tea promotes.

36

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The tea ceremony is an important

part of Sidhus practice, gently concluding the class and encouraging a
community atmosphere in her studio.
Tea expands on the bonding experience
that goes beyond the class, emphasizes
Sidhu. There is definitely a social aspect
of tea. When you drink tea, people are
encouraged to linger, savor and relax in
that moment.

Enhance Yogas Health

Benefits with the Perfect
Cup of Tea
Tea is also an essential part of Yoga
Therapist, Cathy Ness, Therametta Yoga,
Barrie, Ontario practice. She recommends that her clients select their teas
to meet a particular need: whether its
relaxation, wellness or energy. Think
about what you want from your yoga
practice today, whether its to help
soothe your body or increase energy,
said Ness. Then select a tea that will
enhance this: like chamomile to quiet
the mind or ginger to increase energy.
Continuing to drink tea throughout the
day will help extend your yoga practice,
moving it off the mat and into your life.
Tea is the perfect beverage to motivate
you into the yoga studio while encouraging you to slow down and focus on the
needs of your body.

Be inspired by Ayurveda:
Drink a Cup of Masala Chai
Did you know that when you
drink a cup of masala (or spiced)
chai, you are drinking a traditional
ayurvedic drink? Each spice from
the cardamom to the peppercorn,
serves a distinct purpose, not
only flavoring the black tea but
preventing illness. A cup of masala
chai, or yogi tea is good for your
entire body from helping improve
memory to building your overall
immune system. Spices such as
ginger, cinnamon and cloves will
help with digestion. Black peppercorn and cardamom are great
brain boosters. Take a moment
away from your hectic schedule
and brew it in the traditional way
on the stove: allowing the aroma
to fill your entire home. To reap
all of the wonderful benefits of the
spices, use black tea.

Ingredients

2 cups water
2-3 cloves
2 lightly ground cardamom pods
tsp black peppercorn
cinnamon stick
1 tbsp ginger
3 tbsp black tea
1 cups of milk
Honey to taste

Directions

1. Add water, cloves, cardamom, black

peppercorn, cinnamon stick and
ginger into a pot of water.
2. Bring water to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, slowly simmering
spices for 10 minutes.
4. Add milk, black tea and honey.
Slowly simmer, stirring occasionally, for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Strain and serve.
7. Take a moment away from your
hectic schedule to brew masala
chai in the traditional way on
the stove: allowing the aroma to
ll your entire home. To reap all
of the wonderful benets of the
spices, use black tea.

Seeking Relaxation:
Drink a Soothing Tea Mixture
before Svanasana
Svanasana is known as the rest pose in
yoga, helping to calm and center the
mind. Typically done at the end of each
yoga practice, Svanasana gives you the
time to relax, meditate and recognize
the specific needs of your body and
mind today.
If you really want to take the relaxation up a notch, try a Yin class. Yin
yoga focuses on holding the yoga poses
(asanas) for a much longer period, on
average 3 to five minutes. This allows
your body a gentle release and is a perfect balance for those that are constantly
on the go, particularly individuals who
are usually drawn toward a heated or

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37

38

INTENT

POSES

TEA

Focus/
Concentration

Downward Dog,
Warrior 3, Tree,
Dancers Pose,
Meditation

Gingko Bilboa,
Rosemary, Ginseng,
Brahmi, Gotu Kola,
Peppermint

Relaxation

Savasana, Yoga
Nidra, Happy Baby
Pose, Practicing
Pranayama
Breathing
(Deep Breathing)

Chamomile,
Oats (Avena
Sativa), Hops,
Lavender, Lemon
Balm, Valerian,
Passionflower,
Skullcap, Vervain

Flexibility

Half Spinal Twist,

Heated forms
of Yoga (Bikram,
Moksha), Seated
Forward Bend,
Yin Yoga

Green Tea, Yerba

Mate, Ginger,
Turmeric

Creativity

Headstand,
Downward Dog,
Sun Salutation,
Alternate Nostril
Breathing

Green Tea,
Black Tea,
Chocolate Blends

Reduce
Inflammation

Yin Yoga,
Hatha Yoga

Ginger, Turmeric

Lung Capacity

Breath of Fire,
Pranayama,
Camel, Cobra

Cinnamon,
Masala Chai

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