'herbs, oils & extracts' Posts
by Edna Sousa
Imagine yourself in an Indian market, or in a field of roses. Or even if you are hungry and someone is making a garlicky homemade food or even a Sunday BBQ smell. Oh yes, aroma has its power!
For many centuries essential oils have been used as alternative medicines, benefitting body and mind. Eucalyptus for respiratory system, orange for relaxation, geranium and cypress for balance and centering. Oils were also added to meals and cosmetics; used in rituals, massage and baths; and used to create perfumes and incenses.
Continue Reading July 4th, 2011
What are the best oils you can use for cooking, salads, and general consumption? Here’s a quick overview of some of the best:
- Krill Oil: Better than any other fish oil for Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals. Plus, krill oil is sustainable, since those little shrimp multiply by the billions.
- Flaxseed Oil: One of the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil is tasty enough that you can use is on salads and on veggies. Just be sure to get it refrigerated and keep it cold.
- Olive Oil: Yes, the old stand-by is still one of the best oils you can use for cooking and topping foods. Olive oil is an excellent source of fatty acids and antioxidants and it’s easy to cook with. Use it in place of any other cooking oil.
January 9th, 2011
UPDATED May 11, 2008
There are so many products on the market claiming health benefits, immune system boosting and antioxidant prowess that it’s difficult to know how to make sense of it all. Here’s a no-nonsense summary of Best Practices for building an arsenal of healthy herbal and supplemental products. It’s not a complete list, by any means, and it does not cover food, but it’s a good foundation for any health-oriented kitchen.
Berry Juice: Find yourself a quality antioxidant-rich berry juice that contains juices from dark purple and red berries, as well as carotenoids from orange veggies. One good product is “Berry Young Juice” from the Young Living group. These types of juices are excellent for restoring antioxidant power to your immune system to fight free radicals, slow aging signs, and increase immunity to viruses and other pathogens.
Green Drink: To compliment the antioxidant juice, add a healthy green drink that combines a number of green substances and superfoods. Some of the best include spirulina, chlorella, seaweed (kelp), spinach powder, olive leaf, and kale. Many of these beverages also contain bee pollen and probiotic cultures and should be kept in the refrigerator after opening. The green drink will add protein, balanced carbohydrates, and mineral nutrients to your diet even if you don’t get them from your food — and you will require fewer vitamins and minerals as a result.
Vitamins & Supplements: The basics that work for just about everybody include plenty of vitamins C and E. A good liquid B-complex is also a staple, as many Americans are B deficient. Get about 10-15 minutes of unblocked sunshine every day for the best source of D vitamins. These will help you stave off colds and fight cancer. One of the most important supplements to add to your health cabinet is a high-quality CoQ-10. Don’t bother getting the crummy stuff ad Walmart or the local drugstore…you’ll be wasting your money. Do your health a favor and invest in a high-quality brand. I use Q-Gel from Tishcon Corporation of Japan. They are on the top of the CoQ-10 game with their products.
Water: A good source of clean, filtered water is essential. If possible, add liquid oxygen or activated carbon to your water for better molecular absorption in the body. Enhanced water can help hydrate your body, clear your intestines and rid your organs of toxins. Another thing to consider in the wate department is a good alkaline water, which keeps your pH more alkaline, which helps to prevent disease. You can find alkalizing water filters or water with alkaline added, such as with calcium, potassium, and cesium.
Fatty Acids & Anti-inflammatories: Keep a healthy supply of fish oils and the spices tumeric, cayenne and garlic oil. These will help with all sorts of joint and back pain, reduce risk of heart disease, and help normalize blood pressure. Always use hemp oil and/or flaxseed oil for salads, baked potatoes and steamed veggies. Alternate these for best results, because each of these, besides being anti-inflammatory, has its own special properties. Garlic is antifungal, cayenne helps fight cancer, and fish oils provide omega-3 fatty acids.
Extracts & Essential Oils: Some of the most important super-supplements to keep on hand include olive leaf extract, cordyceps mushroom powder or extract, and picnoginol (or pine bark extract). These are all super immune boosters. Pine bark extract also provide antioxidants and mushrooms help with brain function and so much more. To these top choices, you can add St. John’s wort for antiviral and antibacterial uses (good for stopping itchy throat), dandelion extract (good all-around health tonic), and liquid Echanacea (immune booster and helps fight colds and infection). Some essential oils to have on hand include tea tree oil (antifungal, antibacterial, antidepressant, grounding), lavendar oil (antifungal, antiviral, anti-stress, fever reducer), and oregano oil for fighting fungus and bacteria (great for skin fungus).
With these basics in your alternative medicine cabinet, you’ll be well nourished with a minimum of confusion and excess bottles in your cupboard.
Bottle photo by http://flickr.com/people/strph/
May 11th, 2008
Copaiba (scientific name, Copaifera officinalis), aside from being a beautiful and noble hardwood, also gives us an oil that has a surprising number of medicinal properties. Copaiba (pronounced koh-pah-ee-bah) is from the Amazon region and is encountered in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Columbia.
The resin that is extracted from the Copaiba tree is a brown or golden oil that has a strong smell of wood. It has a sticky, resinous texture similar to propolis or tea tree oil. The aboriginal cultures of the Amazon have used it for centuries to heal wounds and to cure various illnesses, including gonorrhea.
The oil is largely used in medicine in Brazil to combat arthritis, gas and indigestion, ulcers, skin cancer, skin fungus, colds, coughs, and infections. It has anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties and is a diuretic, mild laxative and analgesic. The oil is also used in wood varnishes, cosmetics (as a fixing agent for perfumes), and in fuel for lanterns (which seems like a waste of a great healing substance). All that from a little tree sap!
Copaiba’s anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties are due to powerful chemical components, such as bisabolene, carioazulene and cariophillene, among many others. The resin or oil can be found in both natural and traditional pharmacies throughout Brazil and it comes in pure oil form or in gel caps.
I always bring a reserve of several bottles with me when I visit my family in Brazil…but you can also find it online without too much effort.
March 16th, 2008
Urucum, or Bixa orellana, is known internationally as Annatto, but to me it’s very much a Brazilian herb and I’ve known about it since I was a child. The Urucum tree grows to as high as six meters (20 feet) and produces a spiny, copper-colored fruit. Inside this fruit are red seeds that are used principally for their color.
The first Portuguese settlers in Brazil noticed that the native people used a red paint on their bodies that was made from Urucum, which comes from the Tupi word uru’ku meaning red. The natural coloring from Urucum has since been used throughout Brazil in all sorts of country cooking and also as a general dye. But the seeds are also used as laxatives and digestive aids and also help with bronchitis and burns. In some regions, the roots and leaves are used in the treatment of gonorrhea and herpes.
Today Urucum is exported to North America and Europe, where it’s used as a coloring for a range of industrial applications, foods, and beauty products. The greatest producers of Urucum are Brazil, Peru and Kenya (the Spanish brought the plant to Africa from South America).
When I was a kid, Urucum was often used as an artificial tanning ointment. Some people would show up at the swimming pool or waterfall (I grew up in the interior of Brazil) with Urucum in carrot oil to help jump start their tans.
Urucum is rich in carotenoids, which give the seeds their characteristic reddish-orange color. The seeds also contain proteins, calcium, iron and vitamins B2, B2 and B3. Urucum is useful as an expectorant and is beneficial for hypertension, digestive problems, parasites, circulation, heart disease, high cholesterol, skin lesions, and constipation. Oh, and it makes a good food coloring too.
April 16th, 2007
Part Two: From the Amazon to Copacabana
Brazil is known for being a sexy place. From Copacabana to the sensual beaches of Bahia, it’s difficult to escape the sensuality of its people and landscape. What’s more, Brazil is blessed with the abundance of nature, from its many different ecosystems to the numerous varieties of fruits and nuts that grow wild, throughout the countryside. Avocados and mangos are so abundant, you can find them growing in public spaces just about anywhere in the countryside and even in some cities. Both of these, by the way, are considered to be aphrodisiacs—the avocado mostly for male potency and the mango for stimulating desire in both sexes. With all this natural stimulation available for the taking, it’s no wonder that Brazil’s sensuality exudes in its people, its music and its culture.
More on Cacao
Last month, I only touched on the power and potency of Cocoa as a sexual stimulant and energy tonic. This month, I’ll talk a bit more background on the matter. It all starts with the Cacao tree (known in Brazil as Cacau), which is believed to have originated in the Central Amazon Region, where conditions are perfect for the species. It prefers a tropical climate with little variation in temperature. It also grows in the shade of other, larger trees and takes years to produce its luscious fruit. It was brought to the west side of the Andes by the Mayans, who were not only among the first to recognize its powerful qualities, but also became the first culture to cultivate it. They used ground Cacao seed in a bitter drink known as Chocolatl, which they said gave wisdom and power to those who drank it. Later, the Spanish brought the Cacao plant to Africa and Malasia, where they grew and cultivated it, producing enough chocolate powder for the rich and powerful throughout Europe to enjoy. They maintained their monopoly on its distribution in Europe for almost two centuries.
In Brazil, Cocoa was mostly cultivated in Bahia, where plantations exist to this day. As with many other fruits, it’s the seeds of the Cocoa fruit that are most treasured. The seeds are dried and ground into a fine powder that is hot like pepper and quite bitter. The best way to take cocoa powder for sexual stimulation is to mix the pure, powder in drinks. Here are a couple of recipes:
Blend a ripe banana, a pinch of Guaraná powder, a pinch of powdered cinnamon, a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, a half cup of ground peanuts, and a cup of milk for at least thirty seconds. This makes enough for two to enjoy themselves for a night. If desired, you can add a teaspoon of sugar, although sugar is thought to diminish the natural affects of the Cocoa. If you can find a chunk of Catuaba bark, try this stimulating tea: Bring a few cups of water to a boil, then remove it from the heat and add the Catuaba bark. Let it sit for thirty minutes, then remove the bark and mix in a teaspoon of Cocoa powder, two tablespoons of honey, and a pinch of Guaraná powder. Bottom’s up!
Noz de Cola
Noz de Cola is more commonly known in English as the Cola Nut and it’s what cola soft drinks are made of. It’s rich in caffeine and is known for its energy-producing qualities. Like many herbal aphrodisiacs, Noz de Cola is also known to be a general stimulant for the immune system. It increases blood circulation and sensitivity in the sexual organs. In its pure form, which is a powder made from the dried seeds, it can be used by itself as an effective sexual stimulant, although it is best when mixed with Catuaba, Marapuama, or other herbs.
Phallic Fruit
Traditional wisdom in the world of Aphrodisiacs tells us that we desire what we eat. More specifically, it is believed that fruits that remind us of sexual organs will engender lust and desire in us. This may come from a visual stimulation, such as with the banana or peach; or it may derive from a textural sensation, as with the mango or papaya. No doubt there are some psychological connections involved as well. Watching your lover suck the inside of a mango or unsheathe a glorious banana in anticipation of consuming it…well, such visual stimulation is all part of the phallic food game. Try dangling a bright red strawberry over your lover’s beckoning mouth and see if you don’t feel your pulse rise just a bit.
On a more symbolic level, consider that fruit is the very sexual and reproductive organ of the plant that bears it. It is a tease and a temptation to the animals of the forest—a trick if you will, to spread the seeds of life. Fruit is made to be irresistible and stimulate desire…so much energy in such a little act of nature. It’s almost like…well…sex itself.
Sexy Soups
In Brazil, there are a number of foods that are associated with virility and most of them come from virile animals, like the alligator and the Piranha. In most cases, these meats are used in soups and often eaten as the main course in a meal. That’s not by chance. As we’ve seen with many aphrodisiacs, combining them with other ingredients or other aphrodisiacs is a way of activating or enhancing their special powers. There is no better way to combine potent herbs and spices than in a hearty soup. Throughout the Amazon and Southwestern region of Brazil, the mighty Piranha is idealized as a symbol of sexuality and power and Piranha soup is a traditional male potency meal. A typical recipe looks something like this:
1 entire Piranha, with head
1 teaspoon of white pepper
1 teaspoon of
1 cup chopped celantro
2 chopped tomatoes
1 chopped onion
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
2 cups chopped mushrooms
2 quarts of water
Sauté the garlic and onion in oil until browned, then add all other ingredients except for mushrooms. Let this simmer for ½ hour then add the mushrooms. Simmer another ten minutes and serve.
Another soup of sexual proportions is the traditional bone marrow soup, known as Mocotó in Brazil. Ranch hands in the Southwestern Region of Brazil use it to supplement their diets, claiming that it gives them harder erections and makes them perform better in bed. Finally, the meat from the tail of an alligator, animals abundant in the Amazon and Pantanal regions, is combined in recipes like the above to enhance both male and female arousal.
Out of the Amazon, Onto the Beach
Any discussion of Brazilian aphrodisiacs would not be complete without some mention of the sensuality of the Brazilian people. The mixture of Brazil’s three principal ethnic groups: Portuguese, African, and Native Amerindian has resulted in a beautiful diversity of races. Nowhere can you observe this diversity with more pleasure and admiration than on the many beaches along Brazil’s extensive coastline. One of the elements that makes Brazilian beaches some of the sexiest in the world is a general lack of inhibition among those who go.
Ironically, while Brazilians are not particularly fond of nude beaches (given the length of Brazil’s coastline, there are amazingly few nude beaches in the country), they are quite fond of wearing the sexiest (and often most revealing) of swimwear. There is definitely an expectation of seeing and being seen on the beach and every type of body, color of skin, and size of bathing suit is welcome and accepted. And there’s nothing like being seen, accepted and admired to make you want to share your beach blanket with another.
Related Articles:
Herbal Aphrodisiacs, Part 1
February 14th, 2007
Part One: Out of the Amzon
On a visit to the interior of Brazil, in a small market in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, I came across a basket full of small plastic bags, each with a different homemade mixture of herbs and spices from the region. Poking through the various baggies, I noticed one that claimed to be an aphrodisiac. Naturally, I purchased it and a week or two later, came across it in my bags and decided to try it out with my wife. She tells me that was one of the hottest nights she can remember sharing with me. The mixture? Catuaba powder, Guaraná powder, Marapuama, and Noz de Cola, among other herbs and spices. All of these are plants from the Brazilian Amazon Region.
About half of the Amazon Jungle is spread across the top half of Brazil and is home to almost two million species of plants and animals, including the Jaguar, Giant Boa Constrictor, Caiman (a crocodilian that reaches up to 16 feet), and various types of Piranha—all revered as virile and powerful animals by the natives of the region.
Almost 20% of all river water on the planet courses through the Amazon’s principal arteries and countless tributaries. The great Amazon River pulses through this vast jungle in an enormous build-up of power and potential, until it finally releases the seeds and secrets of the inner jungle into the Atlantic Ocean. To this day, dozens of aboriginal groups live in the deepest reaches of the jungle, some having had almost no contact with civilization. Other tribes, like the Tupi and Guarani, have been mixing with outsiders since Brazil’s colonial period in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Among the wisdom gathered from these forest dwellers is the use of the jungle’s plants—as much for health purposes as for sexual stimulation and enhancement.
Categorizing the Amazon’s aphrodisiacs and their effects is a challenge, since much remains unknown and un-tested concerning these plants and foods. But it’s safe to say that two substances, Catuaba and Marapuama, are linked directly to increased libido and enhanced eroticism. These are the legendary aphrodisiacs of the Amazon Jungle. Other extracts, such as Guaraná, Unha de Gato (Cat’s Claw), and Noz de Cola (Cola Nut) are considered general stimulants and can increase the intensity and duration of other sexual stimulants. Used alone, their stimulating qualities may or may not direct themselves to the libido. Finally, there are a few extracts that although not mood altering or libido enhancing, assist in the flow of chemicals and blood to the genitalia, resulting in harder, longer erections for men and increased sensitivity and pleasure for women. Some of these include pure cocoa powder, peanuts, and fish (as well as many foods not necessarily associated with the Amazon, such as oysters, tomatoes, peppermint, and Rosemary).
Catuaba
The most legendary of the Amazonian aphrodisiacs, Catuaba comes from the bark of a tree, indigenous to the Amazon Jungle. Used for centuries by the natives of the Amazon Region as a sexual stimulant and general health tonic, Catuaba has been tried and tested by thousands of westerners and its libido-enhancing qualities confirmed in more than half of all cases. Although single uses can result in powerful sexual impulses (especially when mixed with Guaraná and other herbs), it’s important to remember that Catuaba is not usually considered a one-time, mood altering sexual stimulant. It is generally taken over several days or a week and results in increased sexual appetite, erotic dreams, and stronger erections for men. Besides these sex specific qualities, Catuaba is said to be a general health tonic that stimulates the immune system, increases stamina, and offers antibacterial and anti-inflamatory qualities. It enhances the overall functioning of the nervous system and can balance the nervous affects of stimulants such as Caffeine.
Combined with moderate amounts of alcohol, Catuaba can be an effective sexual stimulant in single doses, but with somewhat limited and sporadic results. Nevertheless, fermented Catuaba bark, a kind of Catuaba wine, is available just about everywhere in Brazil and is a popular drink among young people. Most commonly, Catuaba is mixed with other stimulants, including powdered Guaraná and Unha de Gato to create a pleasant sexual tonic.
You can find Catuaba in extract form, powdered (usually in capsules) and in dozens of mixtures sold as sexual stimulants. It’s important that you experiment with doses and mixtures to find the formula that suits your personal alchemy.
Marapuama
Marapuama has been used by the natives of the Amazon Region for centuries. Usually mixed with Catuaba and other herbs, Marapuama comes from the leaves of a jungle plant. Although it does not produce erotic dreams like Catuaba, Marapuama is said to increase libido and sexual potency in men. It is often used as a food additive, since it is believed that its effects increase over extended use. It is rare to find Marapuama extract or powder by itself outside of Brazil, but it is a principal ingredient in various mixtures from the Amazon.
Guaraná
Guaraná fruit is used to produce one of the most popular soft drinks in Brazil. Like cola-based sodas, Guaraná soda is loaded with natural stimulants, such as Caffeine. The most powerful way to take Guaraná is in powdered form. The seeds, not the fruit, contain the most powerful concentration of elements and powdered, toasted Guaraná seed is commonly used in foods and drinks as a general stimulant. Together with Catuaba or cocoa powder, Guaraná can increase energy during sex and extend the affects of these other extracts. It’s important to regulate the intake of pure Guaraná, as it can be too powerful for effective use in aphrodisiacs. If too much is combined with cocoa powder, for example, it can produce overheating and excessive sweating. Besides chemical stimulation, Guaraná also improves blood circulation, which can have excellent sexual side effects. In the right quantity and taken at the right time (at the foreplay stage, for example), Guaraná can enhance orgasm in both men and women and increase overall stamina and sexual pleasure.
An excellent mixture is Guaraná powder, honey, and Catuaba powder. This should be taken on an empty stomach. If you like the affects of alcohol, try a pinch of Guaraná powder, two pinches of cocoa powder (pure cocoa, see below), condensed milk, and vodka. Blend this mixture with crushed ice. Best consumed in or near the bedroom.
Unha de Gato
Although not an aphrodisiac in itself, Unha de Gato (oonya djee gah-too), or Cat’s Claw, is used all over Brazil for circulation disorders (baldness, lethargy, skin disorders, etc.) and as an anti-inflamatory for the prostate, ovaries, and genitals. Increased blood flow to these areas can also enhance sexual pleasure and intensify orgasms. The powder has been used to improve the overall functioning of the immune system and even as a food additive for weight-loss programs. Unha de Gato is most commonly taken in powdered form in capsules, but it can also be made into a tea.
Cocoa
Pure cocoa powder is well known as a sexual stimulant. It has been used in the Amazon region for centuries as a general health tonic and aphrodisiac. Originally, chocolate was not mixed with sugar, but eaten in its pure form in foods. If you’ve tried chocolate with inconsistent results, seek out a source for pure, unprocessed cocoa powder. The powder improves circulation, stimulates the nervous system and enhances the production of endorphins in the brain. Cocoa powder is best when mixed with other stimulants, such as alcohol, cinnamon, clove, or peanuts. The traditional Mexican Molé sauce combines unsweetened chocolate with banana, peanut, and chili powder to into a delicious male potency formula. In the Amazon, cocoa is used in fish stews and other recipes to enhance potency in males and sexual desire in females.
Related Articles:
Herbal Aphrodisiacs, Part 2
Heart by http://www.everaldo.com/
January 29th, 2007
Losing weight does not have to be a struggle. Nature provides all kinds of herbs and foods that help you feel full, increase energy and metabolism, and process fats and sugars more efficiently. Here is a list of some of the best herbal supplements that you can add to a weight control program. Mix and match for best results, depending on your needs.
- Fucus Extract is a type of seaweed that is especially good for weight loss. First, its high fiber and bulk help with a feeling of fullness and decreased appetite, while it’s iodine content stimulates the Thyroid and, consequently, increases metabolism.
- Artichoke Extract helps reduce cholesterol while supporting the blood and liver by reducing blood fat. It aids the digestive system by increasing bile production and is high bulking to help reduce appetite.
- Garlic extract is known to purify the blood and liver while regulating cholesterol (increasing the good and decreasing the bad). It also thins the blood, which helps to increase metabolism and extend the life of other supplements.
- Omega-3 supplements with flaxseed oil help control cholesterol and remove bad cholesterol from the body.
- Mushroom cordyceps help increase energy, while decreasing blood pressure, cholesterol and plaque. They have many other healthy attributes not related to weight control.
- B-Complex vitamins, especially B2, which helps metabolize fat and carbohydrates and B3, which lowers cholesterol.
- Spirulina is a superfood that gives your body so much nourishment that it craves less food. It is rich in digestible protein, vitamins and minerals, including trace minerals. This is a food that actually helps you lose weight.
- Dandelion extract is another weight reducing food that you can eat as much as you like. Its nutritional value (high in calcium, potassium, iron, beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E) helps feed your body to reduce hunger sensations while enhancing your immune system. It also helps in digestion and reduces blood pressure.
- Probiotics replace the healthy flora in your digestive system, so that foods are digested more completely, and waste is eliminated more quickly and efficiently.
- Olive leaf extract helps metabolize fat, extends the life of vitamins C and E, lowers blood sugar, regulates blood pressure, and increases circulation.
- Green tea extract is known to increase metabolism and help burn energy. It also lowers cholesterol levels and aids in digestion. Many report that it reduces hunger.
- Guar gum is a natural appetite suppressant due to its high bulking properties when mixed with water. It also helps with elimination.
- Unha de gato from the Amazon region is a circulation and metabolism enhancer used for years in South America for dieters. It also provides energy and suppresses the appetite.
- Guarana, which is also from the Amazon, specifically Brazil, is a natural stimulant that includes caffeine and other substances to suppress the appetite and increase energy and metabolism. This one is effective if used in small amounts along with other supplements.
There you have it, a sampling of natures arsenal for helping control and maintain healthy weight by decreasing appetite, increasing energy and metabolism, improving blood and liver health, reducing fats, sugars and cholesterol from the blood and body, improving digestion and helping with elimination. By adding one or more of these to your healthy diet and exercise program, you are practically guaranteed to feel better, lose weight and keep it under control.
Dandelion photo by BenHur: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:BenHur
December 3rd, 2006
Whatever ails you, there’s a tea treatment you can try
Tea time anyone? The varieties of herbal teas is astounding and so are their healing qualities. It seems there is a tea for nearly anything that ails you. The Chinese have known this for millennia. Their strange and wonderful herbal concoctions are carefully constructed to combat illness. Not to mention their daily consumption of green tea, which is a natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral and full of antioxidants. Here are a few other possibilities:
- Corn silk, horsetail herb, olive leaves, and avocado leaves are all natural diuretics, helping to clean the liver and kidneys and rid the body of excess sodium and toxins.
- Green tea, olive leaves, and pine bark all contain powerful antioxidants, which help support the immune system and fight off free radical damage from oxidation. In short, they help keep you young.
- Olive leaves, mistletoe, and oregano have antiviral qualities, helping to stave off viral infections.
- Chamomile, spearmint, passion fruit, St. Johns wort flowers and valerian root make a calming, antianxiety tea.
- Peppermint, spearmint and chamomile will help with asthma, since they all help dilate the bronchial tubes.
- Bergamot, mint, geranium, St. Johns wort and rosemary are all antidepressants and can help you maintain a balanced outlook. All are available as tea infusions.
- Bilberry, olive leaves and cinnamon help reduce blood sugar, helping to keep diabetes in control.
- Yerba Mate, ginger and licorice root help with digestion and regularity. Yerba Mate is excellent after a large meal with lots of meat and greasy food.
These are just a few of the roots, barks, leaves, vines, and fruits that can be added to hot water to create a healing tea. In most cases, you can mix these substances with a simple green tea base. Remember, when you make herbal teas, don’t boil the herbs. Instead, bring the water to a boil, remove from the heat, then add the herbs and let site for 10-15 minutes. If necessary, you can heat the mixture again, but don’t bring it to a boil.
Tea photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_wilmot/
November 13th, 2006
