Hot Apple Tea for Fall

I love fall. There is a crispness in the air and folks are harvesting all  the good foods we enjoy in the fall. One popular fall crop is apples. I think of baked apples, apple pie, apple cobbler, apple turnovers, apple cake and apple crisp. One way I enjoy apples in the fall is in the form of apple tea. Apple tea is so versatile, there are many  things that can be added to it to spice it up. Here are a few ideas.

Cinnamon apple tea is useful for folks who have high cholesterol and blood sugar problems. A study done by NWFP Agricultural University in Pakistan found that cinnamon can reduce blood sugar in patients with type two diabetes.The apples also contain vitamin B-6.

Apple ginger tea is a good combination for a cool fall day. When I drink apple ginger tea on a cool fall or winter morning the ginger helps to set the mood for the day and the apple sweetens it up. Ginger is good for digestive problems and is an anti-inflammatory. Cinnamon can be added to the apple and ginger for a flavorful blend.

Hot apple cider vinegar tea  has many health benefits. It was used in New England long ago to cure just about anything. There is an interesting book by D.C. Jarvis, MD, an old time country doctor, that gives many interesting anecdotes about using apple cider vinegar that you may find interesting. When you make the tea the best apple cider vinegar to use is Braggs. (I have no connection with Braggs, I just think it is a good product). Here is a recipe. For one cup use a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of  honey. Add hot water and enjoy.

Turkish apple is an interesting variation. There are various versions of it depending on what spices you use. A basic recipe has apple, cinnamon, cloves, and orange. Optional ingredients include black tea, rose petals, and honey or the sweetener of your choice. The tea is often used at  the end of a meal when one has overindulged. The tea can also cleanse the blood and urinary tract. Here is a basic recipe.
 2 apples, do not peel or remove seeds, cut in 6 pieces
 1 orange, do not peel, cut in 6 pieces
 1 cinnamon stick
 2 cloves
 4 cups of water.
Cook everything in a saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer until fruit is tender. Strain into a bowl. Pour tea into cups. Drink with pleasure.

If you buy your tea in the supermarket you will find many different blends of apple tea. There are various spiced versions, and apple tea can be mixed with black tea, or green tea . Perhaps you can think up some good blends by using your creativity and imagination and share them in the comments below.

Do you have any suggestions for topics for this blog? Write them in the comments section below. To leave a comment click on the phrase 'No Comments'. It will take you to the comment box.

Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com

Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/257117-what-are-the-benefits-of-cinnamon-apple-tea/
http://www.bestofthislife.com/2012/04/ginger-apple-tea-hot-or-cold.html
Jarvis, D.C., MD Folk Medicine A New England almanac of natural health care from a noted Vermont country doctor, 1958, Fawcett Books, New York
http://thedetoxdiva.com/a-quick-fix-for-overindulgence-turkish-apple-tea/
http://www.food.com/recipe/turkish-apple-tea-382701

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
valerielull923@gmail.com

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a remedy that has been around for a long time. It was an important part of American folk medicine. There is a book by D.C. Jarvis called Folk Medicine. Jarvis was a Vermont country doctor and throughout his book he frequently refers to remedies that include apple cider vinegar. In Vermont they used it for the various ailments of their farm animals as well as for human use. 

Apple cider vinegar is one of those universal remedies that has been used for everything from morning sickness, to diabetes to warts. It has been highly promoted as an aid in weight loss. It can also be used in cooking and for cleaning purposes. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence for using ACV, but there are few scientific studies. People say they use it because it works. 

Apple cider vinegar is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. It contains vitamins A, B6 and E, lots of minerals,antioxidants, acetic acid and malic acid. Traditionally it has been used for ear and skin problems, fungus and warts, digestive disorders, inflammation, and detox. Some people use it daily as a tonic. ACV is a starch blocker which is why many people use it for weight loss. It is also said to lower blood sugar. As with any natural remedy, be sure to discuss using ACV with your health care provider, especially if you are pregnant or diabetic; it could make your sugars go too low. .

When purchasing ACV be sure to buy it in its natural state. The ACV you buy in supermarkets is usually clear, which means it has been processed and refined. Natural ACV has a cloudy look and there is a membrane called the "mother of vinegar". It has to have this to be natural. There is an excellent ACV vinegar known as Braggs. (I get no remuneration from the company; I just know it is a good product that I use myself).It can be taken with some honey added to make it more palatable. 

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com. 

Sources:
Jarvis, D.C. M.D., Folk Medicine: A New England almanac of natural health care from a noted Vermont country doctor, 1958, Fawcett Books, New York
www.thealternativedaily/the-apple-cider-vinegar-fat-loss-mystery-explained
www.thealternativedaily/Zap-bacteria-with-apple-cider-vinegar-and-these-six-other-superfoods

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull953@gmail.com