Chasing Rainbows

Thought for the Day

It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes.  (Sally Field)

Obsolete Word of the Day

Corrade: To gather together from many different sources; to scrape together

Fact for the Day

Medical Fact:  Medical researchers contend that no disease ever identified has been completely eradicated.

The Healing Power of Tea

Sometimes a steaming cup of tea is more than a beverage, it's a full healing experience.  I have read and heard about the so-called healing power of various teas, so I did a little research and found the following article that explains some of the different effects that various teas can have on our bodies.

Tea isn't a casual drink; it requires the careful choice of the best leaves, the patience to wait for water to come to the right temperature, the knowledge of how long to steep, and the time to let the wisps of steam warm your face as you savor every sip. In places from Buddhist monasteries to English parlors, tea has also long been recognized for its healing properties, from the antioxidants in green and white tea to the restorative properties of various herbal blends.

Black Tea

Black tea is what most people envision when they think generally about "tea." Its most popular incarnations come from India (Assam, Darjeeling), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and China (Lapsang souchong), and some of the world's favorite teas, including Earl Grey and English Breakfast, are blends of black teas. Black tea has the highest caffeine content of the major types of tea, though it still only has half the caffeine of coffee. It is best enjoyed with a hint of sugar or honey, and a bit of lemon or milk.

Black tea is fermented, meaning that freshly-picked tea leaves are allowed to oxidize and develop deep flavors. This fermentation process alters the antioxidants that are naturally found in tea leaves, which are called flavonoids. The flavonoids found in black tea are more complex than those found in less processed teas, but in any kind of tea, antioxidants are believed to have health benefits including cancer prevention, cholesterol reduction, and protection against stroke and heart attack. Black tea also is rich in manganese and potassium, and it contains some B-vitamins.

Green Tea

Green tea is considered a "pure" tea, meaning it doesn't undergo an oxidation process. Most green teas are grown in Japan or China. Its health benefits are manifold. Although green tea naturally contains caffeine, one mug's worth contains less than a fourth as much as the average cup of coffee. For people trying to cut their caffeine consumption, switching from coffee to green tea is a very healthy alternative. Scientists have shown a correlation between green tea consumption and reduced cancer risk, weight loss, and improved heart health. Green tea also possesses a small amount of natural fluoride, an element which strengthens bones. And anyone who has ever had a sore throat can definitely attest to the soothing power of green tea with honey in it.

White Tea

Unlike other kinds of tea, dried white tea will contain buds or 'young' tea leaves, making for a distinct flavor. Because of its light and delicate flavor, white tea tastes best without any sugar, honey, or other extras added to it. Studies have shown that white tea contains antiviral and antibacterial qualities, which make it helpful in fighting against disease--so if you think you're coming down with a cold, white tea is a great way to feel better. In addition, people who consume white tea tend to have lower blood pressure, higher amounts of 'good' cholesterol, and even better skin (the antioxidants in white tea are able to 'attack' free radicals, which harm your skin and cause it to age faster).

Red (Rooibos) Tea

Rooibos tea, which is also known as "red bush," is not technically tea, but an herbal brew made from fermented leaves of a native South African plant. Rooibos and its cousin Honeybush are gaining popularity in the United States because of their plentiful health benefits, high levels of antioxidants, low tanin content, and no caffeine--not to mention its slight natural sweetness and refreshing flavor (adding honey enhances this characteristic).

The healing properties of rooibos include using it as a treatment for skin ailments, as an immune system booster, a way to slow the aging process, and a remedy for conditions from insomnia to headaches to anxiety. Also, rooibos does not contain oxalic acid, the compound found in some other types of tea that can cause kidney stones.

Herbal Tea

Like red tea, herbal tea is not actually tea; it is composed of the dried leaves of a wide variety of herbs that are prized for their unique flavors as well as their healthful benefits. Entirely caffeine-free, and often requiring no sweetener or flavor enhancer, herbal tea is a gentle and soothing way to take tea according to what one's body and soul needs at any given moment.

The health benefits of herbal tea depend on the herb being steeped. Camomile, linden flower, and lavender teas are all highly calming and can help with sleep issues, peppermint and ginger teas aid digestion and can stave off nausea, lemon balm tea can help soothe a headache, and raspberry leaf tea is thought to bring on labor in late pregnancy, to offer just a few examples of this versatile and beneficial type of tea.

Resource: Beliefnet.com, "The Healing Power of Tea"

Thought for the Day

When the well's dry, we know the worth of water.  (Benjamin Franklin)

Obsolete Word of the Day

Crapulous:  Relating to drunkenness or the drinking of alcohol.

Fact for the Day

We are what we eat.  When we die, we detriorate much slower than humans did in the past. Why? It is believed to be due to the build up of preservatives in our body from what we eat during our life.

How Strong is your Mind Body Connection?

Take this quiz to determine how you integrate your body, mind, and spirit.

 

Q1. You have a headache. What's the first thing you do? 1. Reach for the Tylenol 2. Do a visualization to block the pain 3. Take some deep breaths 4. Ignore it and hope it goes away

Q2. How often do you discuss emotional or spiritual issues with your doctor? 1. I try to talk about it, but my doctor isn't interested. 2. My doctor brings it up, but I'm not comfortable discussing it. 3. Regularly—I chose my doctor because he/she is attuned to those issues. 4. Never—neither my doctor nor I broach those subjects.

Q3. You believe that pain is: 1. A physical sensation only 2. A sure sign that the spiritual self is out of balance 3. Usually a reflection of some psychological discomfort 4. Usually a physical phenomenon, but sometimes caused by emotion

Q4. Prayer: 1. Is a regular and important aspect of my health care 2. Is something I've turned to at dire medical moments 3. Is something I've heard can help, but have never tried 4. Has never been part of my health care regimen

Q5. How often do you turn to alternative therapies in your health care? 1. I do yoga and meditate, but more for the physical benefits. 2. Never—I only trust conventional medicine. 3. I try alternatives when conventional methods don't work. 4. I am open to acupuncture, homeopathy—anything that re-aligns the body's energy and spirit.

Q6. Your instincts about potential health problems: 1. Might be real, might be psycho-somatic—it's hard to tell 2. Should be ignored for two weeks to see if they go away 3. Are spiritual messages that motivate me to try healing techniques 4. Should immediately be discussed with a trained medical professional

Q7. Spiritual healing methods like hands-on healing: 1. Never work 2. Should be approached occasionally, and skeptically 3. Should only be used to treat stress-related ailments 4. Are the first step to healing from any ailment

Q8. When I feel sluggish what helps me most is: 1. Doing some deep breathing 2. Journaling about my feelings 3. Hitting the treadmill 4. Drinking a Red Bull

Q9. I get most of my health information from: 1. My spiritual teacher 2. I don't really get much health information 3. My doctor or recent medical studies 4. My inner voice and intuition

Q10. After a heated argument the first thing I do is: 1. Take some herbs or Rescue Remedy to calm my upset body 2. Take a couple of deep breaths 3. Cry until I can feel my underlying hurt and sadness 4. Punch a wall

Q11. I will finally be completely healed when: 1. I take care of these aches and pains 2. I don't need healing--I feel fine already 3. I release my negative emotions and attachments 4. I become one with Spirit

Resource: Beliefnet.com	submit

Thought for the Day

"Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."   (W. Clement Stone)

Obsolete Word of the Day

Corrade:  To gather together from many different sources; to scrape together.