Tag Archives: tea

Sip Into Summer With Refreshing Herbal Teas

by summer,
 
The heat and humidity of summer have arrived making this the perfect time to look at refreshing and healthy herbal tea blends. Although iced tea is very popular in the summer, too much caffeine can be dehydrating, it may increase anxiety, and it can cause insomnia. Herbal teas, on the other hand, are caffeine-free plus many herbs have wellness benefits that can help you feel good all summer long.
 

Why drink herbal tea in the summer?

 
  • Herbal teas are hydrating and can help replace fluids lost from sweating
  • Many herbs have cooling properties providing relief on hot days
  • Many herbs are high in antioxidants, always a good thing to add to your diet
  • Certain herbs may support better digestion
 
It's time to put down those excess caffeine drinks, not to mention any sugary summer beverages, and choose delicious, nourishing herbal blends instead. But first, here the health benefits of just a few of the top herbs to add to your summer wellness beverage blends:
 
  • Peppermint - A delicious and fragrant herb, it is supportive for digestion, energy levels, and even for reducing headaches.
  • Hibiscus - This vitamin C-rich herb is both tart and refreshing. Plus it has antioxidant properties, can help lower blood pressure, and has been shown to improve cholesterol levels.
  • Lemongrass - With its bright citrusy flavor, lemongrass is a perfect summertime flavor. Another highly antioxidant herb, it can also support good digestion.
  • Rose - Flavorful and also highly antioxidant, compounds in rose tea can reduce stress.
  • Lavender - Soothing and relaxing, studies have shown drinking lavender tea can reduce fatigue and improve mood.
 
If you're a DIY-minded person, many of these herbs are easy to grow at home. Otherwise, you can buy bulk herbs online, my preferred source is Mountain Rose Herbs. When making herbal blends everything is measured in parts. So if one part equals 1/2 cup then 2 parts is 1 cup. You do not need to feel that one part is one cup unless you plan to make a large quantity of the tea blend.
 
I suggest making a small amount to begin with and adjusting the amounts to your personal preference. I also recommend storing your blends in glass jars labeled with the blend name. I encourage you to also put the formula for the herbal tea blend on the label. This will make it easy to refill the jar when you run low.
lavender rose iced tea

Refreshing Herbal Tea Blends

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Ingredients
  

  • Minty Lemonade Herbal Tea

    2 parts peppermint

    1 part lemongrass

    1 part hibiscus

  • Lavender Rose Iced Tea

    2 parts lavender

    1 part rose petals

    1 part lemon verbena

  • Ginger Peach Detox

    2 parts ginger root

    1 part peach leaves

    1 part dandelion root

  • Citrus Mint Cooler

    2 parts peppermint

    1 part lemon peel

    1 part orange peel

  • Berry Hibiscus Refresher

    2 parts hibiscus

    1 part strawberry leaves

    1 part raspberry leaves

Instructions
 

  • Add the dried herbs to the French press
  • Pour the boiling water over the herbs
  • Put the lid on the French press with the plunger up
  • Allow the herbs to steep for 5-7 minutes
  • After steeping, slowly press down the plunger to strain out the herbs
  • Pour the hot herbal tea concentrate into a heat-proof pitcher
  • Add ice cubes to the pitcher until it's full
  • Stir well and add sweetener if desired
  • Serve over ice and enjoy!

How to infuse herbal tea blends

The two primary methods for making an herbal iced tea are to use either a French press or an infusion filter. Please make sure that whichever method you use is dedicated to tea. If the device is used for coffee the strong oils will stick, making your tea blends less-than-pleasant.

 

french press tea

Making Herbal Iced Tea with a French Press

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Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 tablespoons of dried herbal tea blend
  • 4 cups of boiling water
  • Ice cubes
  • Sweetener like honey or sugar (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Add the dried herbs to the French press
  • Pour the boiling water over the herbs
  • Put the lid on the French press with the plunger up
  • Allow the herbs to steep for 5-7 minutes
  • After steeping, slowly press down the plunger to strain out the herbs
  • Pour the hot herbal tea concentrate into a heat-proof pitcher
  • Add ice cubes to the pitcher until it's full
  • Stir well and add sweetener if desired
  • Serve over ice and enjoy!

Making Herbal Iced Tea by Infusion

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Ingredients
  

  • 2-4 tablespoons of dried herbal tea blend
  • 4 cups of boiling water
  • Ice cubes
  • Sweetener like honey or sugar (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Pour the room temperature or cool water over the herbs
  • Pour the boiling water over the herbs and let sit 20-30 minutes
  • After infusing remove the herbs and the filter
  • Pour the herbal tea concentrate into a large pitcher
  • Add ice cubes to fill the pitcher
  • Stir well and add sweetener if desired
  • Serve over ice and enjoy!

Notes

Note: Adjust the amount of the herbs based on your desired potency/flavor. You can also garnish your herbal tea blend with fresh fruit, fresh mint leaves, or fresh citrus slices for extra flavor.

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herbal support

Herbal Support To Boost Your Immune System

by drinks, herbs and spices, immune system, ingredients, , ,

 

Building an Herbal Medicine Cabinet

The winter tends to be a time when many of us get sick. Plus germs somehow seem to pass around more easily at this time of year when it’s cold and damp.  But if you’ve got a cough or you are not feeling well what do you reach for?  When you go to the drug store and you look at the shelves, the majority of their remedies they have artificial colors in them. They also have all kinds of preservatives and other chemicals in them that are not great for us. So if you're sick, why do you want to put things into your body that aren't going to help you get better?

These are a few of my favorite winter recipes to help support your system without artificial ingredients, alcohol, and preservatives. These are things you want to have in advance. If you've made them up ahead of time you won’t have to go rummaging around for a remedy when you need it.

 

Elderberry Syrup for Immune Support

One of my favorite things to do in the wintertime is to brew up a batch of elderberry syrup.

 It's easiest to buy the elderberries. Although you can forage for elderberries it’s easier to simply buy them dried. It’s really important to know that you shouldn’t ever eat fresh elderberries.  They can really upset your stomach and cause diarrhea and/or vomiting.

To make elderberry extract you’ll need a four-to-one ratio of berries to water.  I like to use a half a cup of dried elderberries and two cups of water. If you’d like you can add in some cinnamon stick, a little ginger, maybe even some cloves.  Bring it to a boil, then turn it down to a simmer and just let it simmer for an hour. That pulls all of that lovely, beneficial stuff out of the elderberries. Then you strain it and let it cool. 

You can add in a little bit of honey, so it tastes a little sweeter and you just store it in the refrigerator.

Generally, I recommend a tablespoon a day for preventative purposes during the winter. But when you get sick, if you need to, you can take a tablespoon three times a day. 

I typically make one batch which can last almost the whole winter, unless somebody gets really sick.

Elderberries are so good for us because they're very high in vitamins A and C they're a good source of bioflavonoids, and elderberry syrup is great for boosting the immune system. It's good if you have coughs or colds, it's antiviral. So it's just a really good thing to have in your herbal medicine cabinet.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

This recipe was taught to me by a neighbor, Mrs. Ruth Patty who also taught me how to forage for elderberries. These days I buy the elderberries because cleaning them is somewhat finicky work.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup dried organic elderberries (I buy mine from Mountain Rose Herbs )
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 clovesraw local honey to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine berries, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and water in a pot and bring to a boil
  • Reduce heat and let simmer for one hour
  • Remove from heat and let cool for 45 minutes
  • Strain berries and flavorings using cheesecloth or muslin, squeezing to remove as much liquid as possible
  • Cool to just above room temperature and add honey, stirring well to fully incorporate
  • Bottle in a sterilized glass jar, preferably amber glass

The Benefits of Fire Cider

Fire cider, sometimes called fire tonic, is a term given to a vinegar drink that is steeped with massive amounts of beneficial herbs and spices. It includes wonderful, immune-supportive herbs and spices.  I use the recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs.

One of the ingredients in fire cider is horseradish root which is best when you use it fresh.  Be aware it is really powerful stuff.  When you grate it your eyes tear up, your nose runs, and it opens up your sinuses. But the real thing is just so much better than using a paste or bottled horseradish. Especially when you’re making something like fire cider to boost your immune system.

If you don’t have access to horseradish it is possible to grow it in your garden. It grows well in zones 4-7 in the US.  However, I  recommend growing it in a pot; it is a vigorous plant that can become invasive and is notoriously difficult to get rid of if it has taken hold in your garden. 

Another component of fire cider is jalapeño peppers. While fire cider is supposed to have heat to it I confess when I make it I remove the seeds from the jalapeños because otherwise, it is very spicy.  

This is an immune support recipe you’ll want to make at least a month ahead of time because it needs to sit and brew.  

Just as with the elderberry syrup above, you’ll add some raw honey.  It's really an important part of these recipes. Raw honey is so beneficial for us, especially for seasonal health issues and for our upper respiratory system.  The best option is both raw and local. 

Take one tablespoon a day of the fire cider for preventative measures and one tablespoon three times a day if you’re sick.

Here’s a funny picture of me trying a sip of Hilbilby’s Fire Tonic that my dear friend and colleague Trudy Scott shared with me when I visited her in Australia. We took pictures of each other taking this stuff and whooo was it potent!

 

Garlic, Not Just to Ward Off Vampires

 

Another beneficial strategy for winter immunity is to keep fresh garlic in the house.  Used for centuries in health preparations, this aromatic member of the onion family is both potent and pungent. Studies have shown it to be highly supportive of the immune system.  It’s also been found to have antiallergenic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

When I feel the seasonal ick coming on one of my personal ways to get more garlic is to take it raw.  The best way to do this is to chop up a clove of garlic (just one) and let it sit for a couple of minutes.  When you let it sit this oxidizes and amplifies the allicin which is one of the beneficial compounds.  Then add it to a spoon (with a tiny drop of raw honey if needed) and swallow it down followed by a glass of water.  I’m not going to lie, it does not taste pleasant.  And you’ll need to make sure you have something in your stomach because raw garlic can make you feel rather nauseous.

However, personal observation indicates that when I do this my symptoms tend to clear up faster than those around me who don’t take the garlic shot.

 

Using Herbal Teas

I'm just a big fan of herbal teas.  I’ve listed a couple of my favorite herbal books below and I’m a student of herbal remedies, not a practitioner. Please note that just because they are plants does not mean that precautions are not necessary when taking herbs.  This is especially true if you are using more than you would add to food.  Allergies and sensitivities can and do happen.  Some herbs are specifically not recommended if you are pregnant or nursing.  If you have any concerns about using herbs I suggest that you work with a certified herbalist. 

If you have a medicinal herb garden you can harvest them fresh. However, you’ll still want to dry them for use as fresh herbs are full of all of their constituent oils and can be overwhelming. Fresh herbs tend to be more potent than dry by a factor of 3 or more to 1.  I believe it's better to use them in their dry form so you can have all the benefits of the herb without getting an unpleasant overpowering taste.

If you don’t want to grow herbs or don’t have space, you can always purchase them dried and cleaned.  My favorite source is Mountain Rose Herbs.  

If you’re going to blend your own herbal remedies a part is simply a measure.  If you’re making a tiny bit you can use a Tablespoon or a small scoop.  If you’re making larger batches, which is what I do to make sure I’ve got it on hand, use a larger scoop or even a dry measuring cup.  

Brewing Teas

When brewing your herbs for tea I recommend a heaping teaspoonful of dried herbs added to 8-12 ounces of hot water. Steep this for 3-4 minutes and then strain and drink.  If needed you can add a little raw honey. 

Below are a few of my favorite herbs to keep on hand for winter remedies:

  • Sage - High in vitamin K, it’s reported to be beneficial for sore throats and bleeding gums. 
  • Rose hips - A good source of vitamin C, lycopene, and beta carotene, rose hips are  a good antioxidant-rich addition to the diet
  • Lemon peel - A beneficial antimicrobial and antibacterial substance, lemon peel is another good source of vitamin C, rich in antioxidants, and also provides some calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
  • Peppermint - A highly beneficial herb, peppermint is not only antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, studies also show it has antiviral properties. Drinking peppermint tea, hot or cold, can be helpful for sinus relief, headaches, and oral health.  In addition to drinking the tea, inhaling the steam from a cup of hot peppermint tea can be another way to use it for winter health support.
  • Spearmint - Another antioxidant-rich member of the mint family, spearmint is a good tea to settle the stomach and help with nausea. Like peppermint, it is also highly antimicrobial.  It can also be enjoyed hot or cold. 

About Chamomile 

Everyone thinks of chamomile as being a calming tea. Many people like to have it just before they go to bed to relax themselves. But not everyone can or should do that.  Some people are allergic to chamomile. 

One of the ways to know is if you are allergic to ragweed or peppermint. Those three things are all botanically related to each other so drinking chamomile tea is not going to be very restful or relaxing for your body. The good news is, there are so many beneficial herbs out there. If you can't do chamomile, you could try other relaxing herbs like vervain or linden.

 

Upper Respiratory Tea Blend

2 parts nettle leaf

1 part comfrey 

1 part mullein

1 part peppermint

1 part chamomile (see note above for allergies)

1/2 part coltsfoot 

1/2 sweet cinnamon stick

 

Sore Throat Soothing Tea Blend

2 parts Slippery elm

2 parts Licorice root

1 part Wild Cherry bark

 

Chelated Silver

 

 

Another good item to stock in your medicine cabinet is chelated silver.  Silver can be highly beneficial for boosting the immune system and has been shown to be effective against both bacterial and viral infections.  Silver appears to be supportive for sore throats and relieving upper respiratory and sinus

Amino Acid Support

 

 

When it comes to immune support (in any season, not just winter) amino acid therapy can be highly beneficial.  My dear friend and colleague Trudy Scott is the Food Mood Expert and the author of The Antianxiety Food Solution.   Trudy has a great article on amino acid support using GABA and theanine.  

Amino acids have so many uses.  I personally have used them for stress reduction and sleep support.  With Trudy’s help I was even able to use them to help me lower my fear response when it come to spiders.  But amino acids don’t only help you to feel better, they can be highly supportive for your immune system. They’re definitely a great addition to your medicine cabinet.

 

Resources

 

Books: 

Other Items:

 

[expand title="Sources"]

A Modern Herbal | Sages".  Botanical.Com, 2021, http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sages-05.html#com.

Abuelgasim, Hibatullah et al. "Effectiveness Of Honey For Symptomatic Relief In Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis".  BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, vol 26, no. 2, 2020, pp. 57-64.  BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111336.

Arreola, Rodrigo et al. "Immunomodulation And Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Garlic Compounds".  Journal Of Immunology Research, vol 2015, 2015, pp. 1-13.  Hindawi Limited, doi:10.1155/2015/401630.

Ashfaq, F et al. "THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES OF GARLIC CONSTITUENT PHYTOCHEMICALS ".  Biological And Clinical Sciences Research Journal, vol 2021, no. 1, 2021, pp. e007-e007., http://bcsrj.com/ojs/index.php/bcsrj/article/view/53. 

Bardaweel, Sanaa K. et al. "Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial And Antiproliferative Activities Of Essential Oil Of Mentha Spicata L. (Lamiaceae) From Algerian Saharan Atlas".  BMC Complementary And Alternative Medicine, vol 18, no. 1, 2018.  Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2274-x. Accessed 28 June 2021.

Buist, H.E. et al. "Derivation Of Health Effect Factors For Nanoparticles To Be Used In LCIA".  Nanoimpact, vol 7, 2017, pp. 41-53.  Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.impact.2017.05.002.

Eccles, R. et al. "The Effects Of Menthol Isomers On Nasal Sensation Of Airflow".  Clinical Otolaryngology, vol 13, no. 1, 1988, pp. 25-29.  Wiley, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2273.1988.tb00277.x.

Galdiero, Stefania et al. "Silver Nanoparticles As Potential Antiviral Agents".  Molecules, vol 16, no. 10, 2011, pp. 8894-8918.  MDPI AG, doi:10.3390/molecules16108894.

Goos, Karl-Heinz et al. "Wirksamkeit Und Verträglichkeit Eines Pflanzlichen Arzneimittels Mit Kapuzinerkressenkraut Und Meerrettich Bei Akuter Sinusitis, Akuter Bronchitis Und Akuter Blasenentzündung Im Vergleich Zu Anderen Therapien Unter Den Bedingungen Der Täglichen Praxis".  Arzneimittelforschung, vol 56, no. 03, 2011, pp. 249-257.  Georg Thieme Verlag KG, doi:10.1055/s-0031-1296717. 

Guimarães, Rafaela et al. "Targeting Excessive Free Radicals With Peels And Juices Of Citrus Fruits: Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime And Orange".  Food And Chemical Toxicology, vol 48, no. 1, 2010, pp. 99-106.  Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.09.022. 

Gupta. "Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine Of The Past With A Bright Future (Review)".  Molecular Medicine Reports, vol 3, no. 6, 2010.  Spandidos Publications, doi:10.3892/mmr.2010.377. 

Jeremiah, Sundararaj S. et al. "Potent Antiviral Effect Of Silver Nanoparticles On SARS-Cov-2".  Biochemical And Biophysical Research Communications, vol 533, no. 1, 2020, pp. 195-200.  Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.09.018. Accessed 28 June 2021.

Kinoshita, Emiko et al. "Anti-Influenza Virus Effects Of Elderberry Juice And Its Fractions".  Bioscience, Biotechnology, And Biochemistry, vol 76, no. 9, 2012, pp. 1633-1638.  Oxford University Press (OUP), doi:10.1271/bbb.120112.

Koczka, Noémi et al. "Total Polyphenol Content And Antioxidant Capacity Of Rosehips Of Some Rosa Species".  Medicines, vol 5, no. 3, 2018, p. 84.  MDPI AG, doi:10.3390/medicines5030084.

Mármol, Inés et al. "Therapeutic Applications Of Rose Hips From Different Rosa Species".  International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, vol 18, no. 6, 2017, p. 1137.  MDPI AG, doi:10.3390/ijms18061137. 

Miyake, Yoshiaki, and Masanori Hiramitsu. “Isolation and extraction of antimicrobial substances against oral bacteria from lemon peel.”  Journal of food science and technology  vol. 48,5 (2011): 635-9. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0330-3

PARK, HO-WON et al. "Antimicrobial Activity Of Isothiocyanates （Itcs） Extracted From Horseradish （Armoracia Rusticana） Root Against Oral Microorganisms".  Biocontrol Science, vol 18, no. 3, 2013, pp. 163-168.  The Society For Antibacterial And Antifungal Agents, Japan, doi:10.4265/bio.18.163. 

Review, Traditional. "Traditional And Modern Uses Of Natural Honey In Human Diseases: A Review – Vitamin Agent".  Vitaminagent.Com, 2021, http://vitaminagent.com/traditional-and-modern-uses-of-natural-honey-in-human-diseases-a-review/.

Sidor, Andrzej, and Anna Gramza-Michałowska. "Advanced Research On The Antioxidant And Health Benefit Of Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) In Food – A Review".  Journal Of Functional Foods, vol 18, 2015, pp. 941-958.  Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.jff.2014.07.012. 

Souza, Fábia Valéria M. et al. "(−)-Carvone: Antispasmodic Effect And Mode Of Action".  Fitoterapia, vol 85, 2013, pp. 20-24.  Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2012.10.012.

Thosar, Nilima et al. "Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Five Essential Oils Against Oral Pathogens: An In Vitro Study".  European Journal Of Dentistry, vol 07, no. S 01, 2013, pp. S071-S077.  Georg Thieme Verlag KG, doi:10.4103/1305-7456.119078. 

Y, Rakover et al. "[The Treatment Of Respiratory Ailments With Essential Oils Of Some Aromatic Medicinal Plants]".  Harefuah, vol 147, no. 10, 2008, p. ., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19039907/

[/expand]

Green Tea And Inflammation

by health, immune system, ,

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I'm delighted to share an article with you written by Dr. Helayne Waldman, co-author of The Whole Food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors. Dr. Waldman is a holistic nutrition educator in private practice and a consultant to breast cancer clinics and doctors in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Green Tea For Inflammation

Inflammation is your immune system’s natural response to an injury, such as a pulled muscle, or to germs, allergens, chemical irritants, and other threats. Your immune system reacts by releasing white blood cells and chemicals into the bloodstream, which infiltrate your tissues, creating the indicators of inflammation that most of us are familiar with: redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

This is a normal and appropriate response; our bodies need to stay vigilant in order to fend off an invasion or injury with aggressive pro-inflammatory mechanisms, such as clotting, fever, and swelling. But too often, inflammation becomes a chronic condition, and in this state, we leave ourselves more vulnerable to breast cancer occurrence and recurrence.

An important characteristic of chronic inflammation is its relationship to angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels that serve to feed a tumor. While this too is a natural and normal process, it is also one that tumors can hijack to build a blood supply to accommodate their growing needs. Inflammatory cells stimulate the formation of new blood vessels which then transport critical nutrients to the tumor.

This is a recipe for chronic inflammation, and clearly, inflammation and the resulting angiogenesis need to be kept under control. What can you do to control and reduce the cancer-promoting effects of chronic inflammation? Here’s one idea: Drink green tea.

Health Benefits

Green tea is widely recognized for its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. It supplies catechins, a class of antioxidants with therapeutic value for reducing your risk of breast cancer.

The most abundant in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, a catechin that has demonstrated inflammation-reduction and cancer-interruption both in the lab and in animals.

In May 2013, researchers concluded:

Findings support the hypothesis that EGCG... directly targets both tumor cells and tumor vasculature, thereby inhibiting tumor growth, proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of breast cancer.

The finding that EGCG acts on cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed reinforces past results --- that the catechins in green tea induced apoptosis, or cell death, in cancer cells but not in their normal cell counterparts.

Another recent study from the journal PLoS (Sept., 2013) once again put EGCG to the test, this time against a highly aggressive form of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer. The authors summarized:

EGCG decreased expression of genes that promote [cancer cell] proliferation, migration, invasion, and survival. Consistently, growth, invasive properties, and survival of [inflammatory breast cancer] cells were reduced by EGCG treatment.

Well done!

To enjoy all of the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits green tea has to offer, it is best to get caffeinated green tea and add lemon juice when drinking --- caffeine helps to enhance green tea’s tumor-suppressive properties while the vitamin C in lemon juice amplifies the effects of EGCG.

Persimmon Tea For Acid Reflux

by fruit, health, , , ,
 

Persimmons are a beautiful, fragrant, sweet berry available in the Fall.  Some varieties can be eaten while still slightly firm although most varieties taste best when allowed to ripen to an almost mushy consistency. Dried persimmons are a way to enjoy this delicious treat throughout the year and are available at Asian markets.

Commonly offered after traditional Asian meals as a digestion aid, persimmon tea, sometimes called "persimmon punch," also alleviates the symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. GERD symptoms occur when stomach contents rise into the esophagus, which produces irritation.

Acid reflux sufferers often experience varying degrees of heartburn, a feeling that food remains stuck in the region of the sternum, or nausea and regurgitation after meals. Various factors contribute to GERD including a hiatal hernia or a weakened sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. Certain medications, obesity or pregnancy may also create the condition.

Persimmons are known, not only for their antimicrobial properties, but also contain vitamins A, C, and ten different minerals. The tea, made from simple ingredients consisting of persimmons, ginger, cinnamon, and sugar, offers a number of health benefits that include diminishing flatulence and the discomfort that accompanies GERD.

Making the tea merely requires boiling the persimmons, adding the spices and sugar, and cooling the mixture. Some believe the secret of the remedy lies in the cinnamon and ginger components of the tea.

Cinnamon originated in China and using the bark as a spice and health remedy dates back thousands of years. The popular spice offers anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties as well as providing it's antacid properties, relieving excess gas and calming diarrhea. Ginger also has a long history in alternative medicine for relieving nausea and having anti-inflammatory properties.

Persimmon Tea

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 quarts water
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger root, sliced
  • 1 cup dried persimmons
  • 3 tablespoons evaporated cane juice crystals

Instructions
 

  • Simmer the water, cinnamon sticks and ginger in the saucepan for approximately 45 minutes.
  • Add the persimmons and cane juice crystals.
  • Simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and allow the mixture to steep for one hour.
  • When cooled, strain the liquid, discarding the solid ingredients.
  • Refrigerate the concentrated tea and enjoy as needed, hot or cold.

Many people enjoy drinking the concentrated tea while others add a few tablespoons of the liquid to other beverages, which also provides symptomatic relief. Individuals suffering from acid reflux typically consume three to four ounces of persimmon tea before or with meals and before going to bed. The sweet, spicy flavor of the tea appeals to many and GERD suffers appreciate the beverage's calming effects.

This simple home remedy remains worth a try for people plagued with the discomfort associated with gastric disorders. Some claim that including persimmon tea with an acid reflux diet and lifestyle modifications may reduce the need for prescription medications however GERD patients should consult with their primary care provider before eliminating any prescription medications.

Rowena Kang is a writer and the Outreach Director for the Morgan Law Firm, a firm that represents clients going through a divorce in Austin.