Let's talk about tea

I found an interesting article over at the NBC affiliate in Rhode Island dealing with the aspects of tea. As usual, I've placed the entire article in the "MORE" section in case it disappears from the news website.

Before we have this discussion, we should agree upon some common language. True "tea" is Camellia sinensis, and encompasses the black and green varieties. It's what Lipton is all about, as well as oolong, gunpowder and all the other tea varieties. Preparation of the plant gives it the flavor characteristics unique to your particular "flavor", but natural and artificial flavors are often added as well.

Chamomile tea isn't really "tea" at all. It's a water infusion of Chamomilla matricaria flowers. Similarly, your peppermint tea probably doesn't have any tea in it either. It's another water infusion, also called a tisane, of Mentha peperita. In fact, most of the calming and relaxing tea blends are completely without tea at all.

But let's face it. "Tisane" and "water infusion" don't naturally roll off the tongue. The simple act of pouring hot water over plant material and enjoying the taste is the essence of tea, with or without the Camillia. So when I talk about taking botanical medicines as "tea" you'll know what I'm talking about.

Move Over Coffee, It's Tea Time
Could Tea Pose Any Dangers?

POSTED: 8:32 a.m. EST February 12, 2003
UPDATED: 11:59 a.m. EST February 12, 2003
Health Check 10 Reporter Barbara Morse reports with so many people drinking tea, might we be brewing trouble too?

There's green, chamomile, there's a tea or tea-like beverage for just about every taste.

Sue Makowski, of Rhode Island Hospital, says, "Well, the black teas, the green teas and the oolong teas are the true teas and they have the powerful antioxidants, the polyphenols that have shown to be very beneficial in the prevention of heart disease and certain types of cancers."

Registered dietitian, Makowski is a tea lover. From the true teas to the beverage teas, she stocks up.

"It's considered that most of the teas that are in most of the stores are very safe if you follow directions, but sometimes you can go to some of the herbal stores and get very concentrated forms of different herbs and you need to be a lot more careful with that."

"I think it's very important to seek the information of somebody who's knowledgeable," says Makowski.

Susan Clements runs the Herbwyfe in Wickford. And many of her clients, like Helen Anne, will tell you, "I believe in herbs as medicine."

But Clements says just because it's an herb, it doesn't mean it's safe for all.

For instance for most people golden seal is a great immune system booster, but on the flip side, "Golden seal has the ability to create high blood pressure for some people so anybody who has high blood pressure shouldn't do golden seal anyway."

There's poke root, it's used to treat inflammatory conditions of the upper respiratory tract, but it can be potentially deadly if overused. So, too, can the herbal stimulant, ephedra. But there are many herbs that make wonderful, safe teas, Clements says.

"Nettle is really popular, nettle has a lot of natural vitamins and things like iron and calcium. Red raspberry is wonderful for women's reproductive issues, it also has a lot of calcium."

Lesley Wooler has her own calming blend of herbs. "Chamomile and skull cap and oat straw and I think it also has some lemon balm and then I used a combination of nettle and red clover and milky oats."

"But don't try mixing herbs on your own, "There's a skill to blending herbal teas that is acquired I think with study and overtime," says Clements.

Clements has a particular blend she calls her "happy tea," it has nettle for energy, milky oats which is soothing. "This is lemon balm, this has a light lemony smell to it...mmmmm," she says.

The lemon balm makes you feel good.

But what about kids? Should they be drinking tea?

Dr. William Hollinshead of the Rhode Island Department of health says there's no reason not to let our children drink tea.

"As I say, everything in moderation," says Hollinshead. Unless it's one of the so called "wellness teas."

They specifically recommend that only adults should be taking their wellness teas.

Experts say it's very important to read labels and know what's in the teas we drink.

Know that certain herbs can interact with certain medications. Even green tea, according to dietitian Sue Makowski, may affect blood-thinning medications.

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Posted by Evo Terra at February 13, 2003 09:12 PM | TrackBack (0)