Dandelions

Dandelions were brought to the United States by immigrants from Euroe. They took over the place and are famous for dandelion wine. Children like to blow the flowers when they have gone to seed. Most people consider this a weed, but the herb is good for many health remedies. Dandelions are a very versatile herb. The leaves are good to eat, often in salads, or in a sandwich. The dried roots are good for a dandelion coffee and the juice of the stems is said to be good for getting rid of warts.

 Perhaps one of the most popular ways of taking dandelion is a herbal tea. It is easy to make and makes a good spring tonic. It is good as a detox because it clenses and tones the liver and it cleanses the blood. It,s also good for the gall bladder, pancreas and kidneys. Dandelion makes a gentle diuretic and can be helpful with PMS.

Dandelions are a powerhouse of nutition containing Vitamins A, B-1, B-2 and B-3, C, and D. It contains the minerals iron, silica, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur. It contains some protien and some fats.

Dandelion Coffee

Wash the roots and slice lengthwise. Let the roots dry for a few days. Cut into 1-in. sections and roast on a baking sheet at 375 degrees for 2-4 hours.Turn them regularly so that they can brown evenly. Do not burn. Grind them as needed and use in place of coffee beans.

Dandelion Tea

Use 1 teaspoon of dried dandelion roots. Add 1 cup of boiling water. Steep and enjoy.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com for more information about herbal teas.

Valerie Lull
Author, Ten Healtlhy Teas
Lullval@hotmail.com

Peppermint Tea (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint tea is quite possibly the most well-known and

most popular tea after green tea. I remember when I was

a teenager and had bad menstrual cramps, my grandma

would brew me a cup of peppermint tea. Peppermint is also

good for teething babies and an upset stomach. Peppermint

is often taken after meals to ease digestion from overeating.

Peppermint can also help with relaxation. Peppermint

tea is another favorite around the holidays. Sometimes it is

mixed with chocolate or ginger.

We are all familiar with the after-dinner mints. Peppermint

is very good for aiding digestion. Men should not drink

more than 1-2 cups a day of peppermint tea as it can affect

male fertility and may cause problems for couples trying to

conceive.

Peppermint Tea

1–2 peppermint tea bags

1 cup hot water

Sweetener if desired

Pour hot water over the tea bags. Let steep 2–5 minutes.

Drink and enjoy.

For an iced version of this tea, simply add ice cubes to the

tea to cool it to the desired temperature.

Chocolate Peppermint Tea

1 peppermint tea bag

2 teaspoons (or more to taste) chocolate chips, or chocolate

milk mix, or 2 squares from a candy bar

1-2 cups of boiling water

Pour boiling water over the tea bag. Add the chocolate. Stir

and let steep 5 minutes. Drink and enjoy.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com 

You may enjoy my book. It is called Ten Healthy Teas

Valerie Lull, Author

Lullval@hotmail.com

Goldenseal Tea

 Goldenseal Tea (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal is a common and powerful herb that
is good for assisting the immune system in warding off
colds and flu. It is a Native American plant and was widely
used by Native Americans, particularly the Iroquois and
Cherokee. Goldenseal has a reputation for being a cureall
and has been known as an effective antibiotic. It is
also useful for diarrhea and yeast infections. Goldenseal
is an endangered species, so be sure your tea comes from
a reputable source. You can find reputable companies on
the Internet. Goldenseal should not be used by pregnant
women or people with heart conditions. Some authorities
think it raises blood pressure.
Goldenseal may be used as a tonic and a detoxifier. It is
useful for respiratory infections and mucous membrane infections,
as well as for diarrhea and intestinal infections.
Goldenseal may help diabetes, yeast infections, periodontal
disease, eye disease, and liver problems in alcoholics. It is
a popular treatment for urinary tract infections. Goldenseal
has natural antibiotic properties. It helps to kill the harmful
bacteria in your system.
Here are some more uses for goldenseal tea: boost immune
system, stimulate appetite, anti-inflammatory, eye
infections, peptic ulcers, colitis, anorexia, and irritable
bowel syndrome. Use as an eyewash or as a douche for
yeast infections in women. Gargling with goldenseal heals
canker sores in the mouth and eases sore throats. Don’t use
if you’re taking blood thinning drugs like Coumadin; don’t
use if pregnant or breast-feeding.

Suggestions for use: 
Take with meals
ƒ Honey sweetens the bitter taste

One last word. Goldenseal is an endangered species. Wildcrafting goldenseal is not advised. Be sure you get your goldenseal from  a reputable source.

Goldenseal Tea from the Root

Simmer 1 teaspoon of dried root in 8 ounces of boiling
water for 10–20 minutes. Enjoy.

Goldenseal Tea

Goldenseal Tea from Tea Bags

1–2 goldenseal tea bags
Honey or another sweetener of choice
1-2 cups of boiling water
Pour boiling water over the tea bag and let steep for 5 minutes.
Add sweetener to taste.

Goldenseal Lemon Peppermint Tea

1 goldenseal tea bag
1 lemon tea bag or ½ squeezed lemon
1 peppermint tea bag (to flavor the bitter taste)
Sweetener to taste
Pour boiling water over the tea bags in a large cup or small
teapot and let steep for 5 minutes. Add sweetener to taste

Question: Have you ever used goldenseal tea? How did you like it? Your comments are welcome.

-- Valerie Lull
Author, Ten Healtlhy Teas
Web Site: www.valerielull.com

Uses for Catnip

Catnip

Catnip which is also called catmint and catswort, belongs to the mint family of herbs. I like catnip because of the euphoric state it induces in my cat, but I also like it for what it does for me. No, it will not make one euphoric, that seems to be a feline thing, but it does have some health benefits for humans.

Catnip grows in the northern hemisphere in the milder climates and the plants have fuzzy, green leaves and a flower that is small and white. The latin name is Nepeta cataria. The leaves and stems are used for herbal preparations. These include, teas, infusions, tinctures, and extracts. You can grow your own catnip or buy it from a reputable dealer. 

Some of the benefits of catnip for humans include anxiety, digestive problems, insomnia, nervousness and calming down overactive children. One of the ingredients in catnip is Nepatalactone which is what causes the sedative effect in humans. Catnip also useful as a pesticide that repels certain insects. 

Catnip Tea

Catnip can be brewed in a tea. Here is the recipe:

1 t catnip

1 C boiling water

Put catnip herb in the water and let it steep 5 minutes for a tea and 10 minutes for an infusion. (An infusion is a stronger brew that is used for therapeutic purposes.) Drink up to three times a day. Enjoy!

Catnip can be purchased in loose form or in capsuels. It can also be used as a poltice, or a wash.

Question: Do you prefer catnip tea or mint tea? Why?

Check out my web site at www.valerielull.com 

Valerie Lull

Author: Ten  Healthy Teas

www.lullval@hotmail.com

Coffee

Is coffee healthy? That is a question many people have been asking these days. Usually the main concern is the caffeine content. But for those folks decaf is a good alternative. There is nothing quite like the smell of coffee in the morning and research seems to be showing that coffee has more good properties than we think. There was a study done of coffee and longevity. It showed that coffee drinkers live 3-4 years longer than non-coffee drinkers. That grabbed me and I decided to dig a little deeper. 

It appears that coffee boosts metabolism so for some people it may work as a weight loss aid. There is also evidence that it may boost athletic ability. Researchers claim that coffee lowers your chances of getting type 2 diabetes. It seems to help mood and brain activity and studies have indicated that coffee can lower the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is some promise that it may lower the risk of Alzheimer's. Coffee also has an impact on circulation. One study showed that it had an impact on the periferal blood vessels as well as the arteries in improving the blood flow. Coffee has antioxidants in it, more than fruits and vegetables. It also has vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5 as well as potassium and mangenese. 

The way you take your coffee can make a big difference. First of all, get organic if possible, that way it will be free of herbicides and pesticides. It also poses less of a threat to the environment. Coffee that is loaded up with sugar and sugar substitutes can also be a problem in enjoying coffee's benefits. One good substitute sweetener is Stevia. Stevia comes from a plant in the Amazon and is completely natural. Another is coconut sugar. One needs to also be aware of artificial creamers. If you go to a coffee shop be aware of the sugar content of the specialty coffees. 

Some scientists seem to think that black is the way to go when drinking coffee. I have never enjoyed black coffee, I use real milk or cream or coconut milk, and stevia or coconut sugar in mine.There are also things you can add to coffee to make it special like cinnamon or cocoa powder.Whether or not you decide to continue or start drinking coffee, there is one thing to be aware of. Two or three cups a day is good. More than that will give you t he negative effects of coffee like being jittery. 

I am working on a new book about healthy spices. Perhaps you know of my other book Ten Healthy Teas. I would like to invite you to view my web site at www.valerielull.com. It is also available on Amazon. I also welcome your comments on my blog postings and my book. 

Valerie Lull

Lullval@hotmail.com

Healthy Spices

Cinnamon

This time I am taking a break from teas and I'm going to talk about spice. Many spices are good for your health and I'm working on a new book about healthy spices. Today I am going to talk about Cinnamon.

Cinnamon is called by some people a winter spice. This is probably because it is used in so many of the foods prepared during the holiday season. Who can resist cinnamon buns, or baked apples with cinnamon and walnuts and raisins in them or putting a cinnamon stick into a cup of tea. Cinnamon is one spice that I really like. It is like an accent to a good food, like sprinkling cinnamon on applesauce, or your morning oatmeal. It tastes good and it is good for you. It has many uses orally for flatulence, muscle spasms, preventing vomiting, diarrhea, infections, common cold, loss of appetite, impotence, menopausal symptoms, air freshener, cholesterol, an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, ant repellent and it is anti-fungal.There is some promising research on the use of cinnamon for controlling blood sugar. Recent findings seem to support the use of cinnamon for diabetes. Scientists are thinking that perhaps it can be useful to diabetics But, do not go to the spice rack in the supermarket and start downing bottles of cinnamon. You could get too much!

Cinnamon was used by the ancients. The Romans, believed cinnamon was sacred and burned it at funerals. It is said that Nero burned cinnamon at his wife's funeral. Cinnamon is import in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is listed their materia medica. In Chinese medicine cinnamon is used to treat a wide variety of disorders characterized by intolerance to cold, cold limbs, weakness, soreness and coldness of the low back and knees, impotence, low libido, and loose bowel movements. Cinnamon is also used to treat digestive disorders that are cold in nature. These may manifest as epigastric pain and diarrhea. The volatile oils in cinnamon appear to have a mild stimulating action on digestion, dispel gas, and relieve spasmodic pain in the stomach and intestines. Also, in traditional Chinese medicine, the sliced twigs of the cinnamon tree are used, and are in the category of warming diaphoretics (that means they cause the patient to perspire getting toxins out of the body).. These twigs can also be used to treat pain and stiffness in the superficial layers of the body, such as muscles and joints when the pain and stiffness are due to cold and camp. 

Cinnamon is often used as part of tea blends to improve the taste of other less tasty herbs. It has powerful antibacterial properties that can be added to cold and flu remedies. It can also make a good tasting tea alone and is a good spice to keep on hand at times. 

Side effects:

Large amounts of cinnamon over a long period of time may cause some people to bleed excessivelly and Cassia oil can irritate the skin. As with all remedies be sure to discuss it with your health care provider.Here are two recipes.

Cinnamon Tea

Many teas are made with blends of cinnamon and other spices and fruits an;d herbs. Cinnamon alone can make a fine tea. Here is the simple recipe:

1 stick cinnamon, use a small stick and break it in half for 1-2 cups of tea

Sweetener as desired, Honey or Stevia are good, or your own choices

Add boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Using powdered cinnamon will; make the tea cloudy.

Breakfast Rice with Cinnamon

1 bowl cooked rice, white or brown, either is ok

1 t cinnamon, more if desired

1 t brown sugar

Butter, as much as desired or milk

Mix ingredients and enjoy

I want to remind you that my book Ten Healthy Teas is available on amazon and I want to wish everyone a happy new year. Check out my web site at www.valerielull.com .

Valerie Lull, herbalist

Author, Ten Healthy Teas

Lullval@hotmail.com

Green Tea Revisited

Health minded people never seem to get tired of green tea. It is a popular drink from the camellia sinensis plant and is usually considered a tea as opposed to an herb. It has a great many health benefits and is one of the most researched plants. I have seen a lot  good articles about green tea recently and I wanted to tell you some of the health benefits that come from sipping this hot beverage.

Green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are produced by the body processes and cell activity and speed up the aging process. The most well known catechin is EGCG. Green tea has lots of antioxidants and it is thought that the longevity of the Japenese people is partly because of their consumption of green tea.

We know that green tea appears to help prevent cancers of the digestive tract and also skin cancer. However,there is even stronger evidence that it protects the cardiovascular system.  It seems to help cognative function of the brain, which is probably from the caffiene in the tea and green tea may lessen the risk of stroke.

Along with the health benefits are the social benefits of taking a few minutes out of the day for yourself to relax over a cup of tea. It helps relieve stress and often when the tea drinking is shared with friends and family it becomes a relaxing moment in a busy day.

There are infinite blends of green tea with other ingredients such as lemon, pomegranite, and ginger. Check out green tea on the internet. There are thousands of web sites telling everything from how the tea is grown to how to prepare it to the health benefits. Personally I try to get a good quality tea in bags, though loose tea is good too.