Spring Seasonal Wellness- A Cup of Tea

Springtime is here!!! Now is the time we begin to see the early blooms to symbolize the coming of a new season, the birds and animals beginning to emerge, and the beginning on increased energy to get out and explore.

As we welcome the change in the season it is important to give your body a chance to enjoy the welcoming sun and to clear out toxins as we become more energized with each day. Using herbs different ways can help cleanse the body and rejuvenate the body as we shed the winter heaviness and take lighter steps toward summer. Drinking a cup of hot herbal tea in the morning and before bed, drinking herbal infused water throughout the day, taking herbal baths, burning herbs in the home are just some ways to to use herbs to cleans the body daily. Tea is an infusion of the medicinal properties of a plant into water. Coffee is an infusion of the medicinal properties of a coffee bean into water. If you do this daily you are already making a form of plant medicine.

A little history…Drinking a cup of tea… Drinking a cup of tea is thought to come from an ancient old tradition in China from Shennong (the Mythical Father of Chinese Medicine) around 2700BC. There have been countless studies which show drinking tea aid in supporting the natural aging process, reducing anxiety, boosting the immune system, removing toxins and free radicals, supports heart health, boosting energy, aiding with mental clarity, and sooo much more.

There are generally four types of teas.

White Teas, have a high source of antioxidants are also high in fluoride. This makes this tea great for removing toxins from the body and free radicals, reduce damage caused by oxidation, and may help reduce the risk of many diseases while strengthening your teeth. This tea does have a low caffeine content so it won’t give you an energy boost like coffee does.

Herbal teas, are usually comprised of a blend of herbs, plant parts, fruits, spices, along with tea leaves. Depending on the blend, each cup can have a unique benefit from calming, cleansing, stimulating, aiding with medical issues (such as lowering blood pressure, relieving constipation, lowering cholesterol, relieving headaches, ect.), and improving the function of organs. Usually these blends do not contain much caffeine so most blends won’t keep you up at night.

Black Teas, are made from the dried and fermented Camellia sinensis plant and do contain caffeine. Usually black teas are used to improve energy and alertness, improve metabolism and gut health, decrease inflammation, and aid with medical issues.

Green Teas, are made from Camellia Sinensis plan but are note dried and fermented to the extent of black teas. Green tea is mainly used to boost heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and reducing clotting factors aiding with blood flow. Also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, this tea is also aids with removing toxins and keeping skin clear, have a positive impact on the liver, breast, prostate, aiding with digestion, increasing metabolism, reduce germs in mouth, aiding with reducing brain fog, along with reducing the risk of many other diseases.

Matcha is a form of green tea which made from the entire leaf of the plant being finely ground up. One cup of matcha is usually the equivalent to 10 cups of regular green tea.

Oolong tea is more of the traditional Chinese teas. It is made of the same Camellia Sinensis plant green and black tea are made from with a difference in how the leaf is processed, generally it is the in-between tea. Not too dark and not too light. This tea is usually high in I-Theanine and polyphenols which aid in reducing anxiety, increasing alertness, and reducing inflammation. This tea is commonly consumed for its ability to stimulate fat burning, improving brain activity, and sleep quality.

Wellness and health begins with what we consume. Each item we ingest, smell, or rub on our skin is either being utilized toward good health or being combated to prevent bad health (in simple terms). Ingesting a cup of tea, in its purest form, can aid our body in maintaining balance and reversing damage. Tea is also used (with other countries and remedies) to prevent and treat cancers along with curing and preventing disease.

Enjoy each day and take a moment to observe the blossoms, wakening trees, gentle rejuvenating breeze, animals playing, and people becoming more active.

Jasmine Hutchinson PHN, BSN, RN

Want to learn more… Check out the ReachWellness Etsy Shop for other organic handmade herbal blends, teas, and classes.

DISCLAIMER…THIS BLOG IS INTENDED SOLELY TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO HEALTH INFORMATION AND TO PROVIDE YOU WITH BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS, CAUTIONS, SAFETY CONCERNS, NATURAL REMEDIES, DIY RECIPES, AND NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS RELATED TO ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH. THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLANATION OF ALL ASPECTS OF ANY HEALTH CONDITION OR CONCERN OR EVEN THOSE ASPECTS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS BLOG. THIS BLOG IS NOT INTENDED TO BE–AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT AS–A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE OR HEALTH CARE GIVEN BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. BE SURE TO SEE A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO HELP ENSURE YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR FAMILY.