Author: tealcreektea

Rhodiola Root Rhodiola rosea 

Rhodiola Root is a great ingredient for a variety of reason-its an adaptogen and adaptogens are reported to help the body adapt to a resist physical, chemical and environmental stress. Early research suggests it might improve depression and anxiety. Rhodiola Root has also been used traditionally to support increased energy, endurance, strength and mental capacity. Its flavor is an interesting combination of sweet and bitter, also known as bittersweet, with an astringent back flavor. I like to use Rhodiola Root in blends that focus on mood elevation. It helps impart that cared for feeling when its used in our blends. It’s the featured ingredient in Hug in a Mug and in our soon to be released Happy Mint. 

Sun soft glow around the trees

Sun dappled leaves

Faint strains of music in the distance

Gentle breeze every now and again sets the wind chime chiming

The calm before the more fierce storm comes

The calm when we could have tried to slow its ascent and didn’t

The calm before the end ruins us all

Rhodiola Root Rhodiola rosea 

Rhodiola Root is a great ingredient for a variety of reason-its an adaptogen and adaptogens are reported to help the body adapt to a resist physical, chemical and environmental stress. Early research suggests it might improve depression and anxiety. Rhodiola Root has also been used traditionally to support increased energy, endurance, strength and mental capacity. Its flavor is an interesting combination of sweet and bitter, also known as bittersweet, with an astringent back flavor. I like to use Rhodiola Root in blends that focus on mood elevation. It helps impart that cared for feeling when its used in our blends. It’s the featured ingredient in Hug in a Mug and in our soon to be released Happy Mint. 

The sun peeks from behind a cloud casting its soft golden rays on the field of grass below. The grass undulates as one in the breeze blowing to and fro. Every now and again in the undulating masses a pop of color can be seen. When the breeze blows just right a pop of purple, or blue or red hiding among the tall grasses, hiding in plain sight. Like tiny miracles or dreams, appearing where and when you least expect them.

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica

Today we are talking about the allergies. For some of us this a year round thing, for others it’s actually seasonal. That’s why it’s always good to Hague Stinging Nettle, and yes the name is quite accurate, in your arsenal. The plant has sharp hairs on its leaves that feel extremely unpleasant if you are stuck. These hairs contain chemicals that can irritate the skin. So why oh why are we talking about this hurtful plant? Because Stinging Nettle is awesome for supporting your body during allergy season,. One of the chemicals in the hairs of the plant is histamine. This histamine interrupts your body’s allergic plant reactions. It’s nature’s antihistamine. The best science can tell at this time is Stinging Nettle some how interrupts the body’s histamine production and related inflammation but they aren’t sure how or why. Here’s what I know as a person with horrible allergies, anything that can help give me a head start on coping with my spring allergies is a-okay in my book. Quick sides note, cooking the leave either to eat like greens or steeping for tea gets rid of the stinging hair but not the chemical benefits. Stinging Nettle’s flavor resembles tangy spinach and will need a sweetener if you aren’t indulging in one of our tasty blends. 

The green leaves of the trees, sun dappled with wishes opening to the wind secrets we humans can not ken. Branches gently swaying, interesting shadow shapes floating by, telling stories we couldn’t begin to dream. Birds twitter, squirrels chatter, the stream burbles and gurgles, the song of nature long forgotten begins again.

Holy Basil is probably the closest ingredient we have to traditional tea (its not though, it’s a herb). There are three different varieties of Holy Basil with different (of course) flavor profiles. We use all three because I like the complexity of flavor the trio imparts to our blends and you get the spectrum of health benefits. Rama’s flavor is spicy and clove like whereas Vana’s flavor is sweet and anise like and last but not least, Krishna’s flavor is crisp and peppery. When all three are mixed together their flavors sing.

Traditionally Holy Basil is used in Ayurvedic Medicine as an adaptogen. Holy Basil helps counter the damage of life’s stresses to the internal body (supports body system functioning) and helps with stress and anxiety. 

Holy Basil is one of the reasons why you feel so good after a cup of Hug in a Mug. 

As the water comes to a boil I let my mind wander into the purple haze. Everywhere I look are beautiful shades of purple like jumping into amethyst. 

As my Winter’s Night steeps purple fluffy flecks start to fall from the purple sky. The purple fluff lands on the poofy , springy purple ground as it floats by. 

As I sip floating with the purple ground I see purple water on the horizon by the purple light of the moon. Purple dolphins play making gentle arches in the air and the purple birds swoop and dive.

I float on sipping, contemplating and enjoying my purple teascape. 

Ceylon Cinnamon  Cinnamomum verum

Want to add the feeling of instant warmth to a recipe? Ceylon Cinnamon is your ingredient. Its flavor is complex with hints of vanilla, warm floral notes, hints of heat and honeyed fruit flavors. Ceylon’s flavors are much more subtly complex than the Cassia’s strong, brash in your face, one note flavor. Ceylon is the ingredient that rounds out the flavor profile without being obvious, gives just the right complexity and has everyone trying to figure out what is that yummy flavor. 

Science is also studying Ceylon for its potential health benefits as an anti inflammatory, an anti oxidant and an antimicrobial. While science is taking a look at these specific areas don’t forget Ceylon has also been used traditionally to support immune health and enhance antioxidant enzyme activity.

Water’s on the stove, I wait for the happy rolling boil to begin. So many changes are on the horizon. Am I ready? Am I ever ready for changes? Grab my mug thinking about how I don’t like change but know and understand all change is necessary. Drop Hug in a Mug in my mug and laugh a little. Hugs make changes easier. Sip my tea fortifying myself to walk in my changes, head held high, face forward, heart open.