PREPARING TEAS

Posted by: "papa_de_q"
As always, I continue to pray that God is merciful and gracious to us.

"Though many believe that we are physical beings with a spiritual
component, we are most assuredly spiritual beings with a physical
component. Therefore any hopes of saving the flesh, individually or
collectively, must first begin with an attempt to save the spirit."

The posting this week is a short one, but nonetheless important.
When preparing herbal teas, for optimal results it is very important
to know if one should prepare an infusion or a decoction.

An INFUSION is used when preparing teas from the leaves and flowers
of a plant.

An infusion is prepared by first boiling the water and then pouring
it atop the herbs or pouring the boiling water into the cup
containing the tea bags and letting it steep for a while. Maybe even
overnight. Next strain it if neccessary and store in the
refrigerator.

A DECOCTION is used when preparing a tea from the hard and dense
seeds, root or bark of the plant.

A decoction is made by boiling the herbs in the water. Bring the
herbs to a hard boil for a few minutes and then allow the herbs to
simmer for a while in the water. Next strain it if neccessary and
store in the refrigerator.

Here is the same thing I wrote in different words:

"...An infusion is made by pouring hot water over the herb and
letting it steep for fifteen minutes. A decoction is made by boiling
the herb in water for an average of thirty minutes. In general,
leaves and flowers are prepared using the infusion method. Roots,
stems, bark and seeds are prepared by the decoction method...."

In herbal stores it is typical for you to find all kinds of teas.
For instance you might find tea bags of milk thistle seeds and
dandelion roots. Now you know that roots and seeds have to be
actually boiled in the tea for a while in order for the medicinal
qualities of the herb to be extracted.

But why take my word for any of this? You can do your own research
at the local library or on any Internet search engine such as
www.google.com or www.mamma.com or www.dogpile. com etc.

Until next time remember, most illness (upwards of 80% according to
experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can eaken
your immune system and your ability to fight off disease. In this
order:

1. INADEQUATE REST - Research continues to prove, that no two ways
about it, good quality sleep has proven to be the singlemost
important factor in determining or influencing your health.

2. INABILITY TO DEAL WITH STRESS - If you run around all day like a
chicken with it's head cut off, it will increase your chances of
getting ill and will aggrevate, tremendously, any illness that you
already have, no matter what it is. Anxiety, depression, anger, guilt
or also STRESS factors. LEARN TO FORGIVE AND LET GO.

3. INADEQUATE OR IMPROPER NUTRITIONAL HABITS. There are a lot of
practicing vegetarians lately and some load up on the white sugar,
white flour, starches, processed and refined foods. Many whole
foods/alternative medicine type practioneers believe we should be
eating at least 5 times as many fruits and vegetables as meats. Most
experts agree that most diets are seriously deficient in the amounts
of fruits and vegetables that we should be eating to remain healthy.

4. INADEQUATE EXCERCISE - A sedentary lifestyle that does not include
enough excercise will catch up with you. FIND SOME KIND OF PHYSICALLY
ENGAGING ACTIVITY EVEN IF IT'S ONLY WALKING!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Required by the FDA.

The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and
Drug Administration and these statements are not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Until next time,

Q