Spill the Tea: Tea & Blend Cheat-Sheet for the Ill & Bothered (PT 2)

Spill the Tea

Tea & Blend Cheat-Sheet for the Ill & Bothered (PT 2)

What Nutrients are found in Tea 

There are 10 Key Nutrients from the Camilla Sineses, Tea Plant. Flavoniods, Catechins, Polyphenols, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, Calcium, & Fluoride. No matter if it’s Black, Green or White. 
All Tea comes with these essential nutrients for your body. Adding in herbs or other blends would be to support individualized needs, like sleep, cramps, sore throat; while the Tea Plant is a broad all-encompassing body boost.

• Flavonoids - Beneficial for many aspects of health, including heart & brain, plus its shown to have success in cancer prevention.

• Catechins - Beneficial for cardiovascular health, diabetes, cancer, weight control, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, & gut health.

• Polyphenols -  Beneficial for cardiovascular health, blood sugar levels, improving cognitive function, protection against chronic diseases like diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. 

• Phosphorus - Beneficial for bone, muscles, kidneys, nerve signaling & hearth health. But more fascinating is its work on our DNA & RNA. Energy Storage, Cell Growth & Repair. Phosphorus is a key component in the formation of the genetic building blocks of the body. 

• Potassium - Beneficial & an essential mineral that helps regulate Fluid Balance (for your cells, not your water hydration content), blood pressure, heart & muscle health. Bone health & nerve signaling, digestion, & maintaining an overall healthy PH level for your body. (Your whole body, not just females. This is not in reference to Yeast Infections.) 

• Magnesium -  There are more than 300+ reactions involving magnesium that are associated with energy production, muscle & nerve function, bone health, heart & blood pressure management. 

• Copper - A trace mineral that benefits the immune system including iron absorption and utilization. Bone and brain development & function. Is mandatory for wound healing, which helps with other skin conditions as well. Copper is also involved in the production of melanin (protects the skin from Sun/UV damage). 

• Zinc - Supports immune cell development & reduces inflammation. Regulates insulin sensitivity & blood sugar levels. Increases cognitive function, promotes skin collagen production & supports hormone balance. Improves eyesight & reduces the risk of certain cancers. 

• Calcium - The primary building block of bones and teeth. It helps maintain strong preventing osteoporosis, reduces the risk of fractures and promotes bone density. Muscle Function, blood clotting, heart health & nerve function. Studies have shown it may play a role in helping regulate sleep patterns. 

• Fluoride - Prevention of tooth decay, it can help reverse early stages of teeth and bone demineralization. Strengthening enamel & can inhibit the growth of bacteria. (While many people dislike the de-coloration of teeth from many beverages. Stained teeth, doesn't mean a dirty mouth. It is my personal opinion that Tea acts as a mouth refresher, especially with for those that have braces or the never ending nasal/throat allergies.)

To wrap it up for you, one cup a tea, may help and support all of these things your body needs: Bones, Muscles, Cells, Clotting, Eyes, Brain, Heart, Kidney, Liver, Thyroid, Hormones, Inflammation, Joints, Hydration, PH, Sleep, Cancer Fighting, Weight Control, Insulin Control, Stress, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Oxidant, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Gastro-intestinal, Nerves, Supports better absorption of other vitamins, minerals & nutrients, vascular, wound healing, & UV protection. Which is insane to think about. 

Which Tea is the Best

Black Tea - Highest in Caffeine of the Teas - Good for heart health against stroke and cancer, good gut bacteria, increased energy, and fat burning. Black and Green aren't that different. Where it is different, Green Tea generally has a higher concentration of antioxidants because it's oxidized the least. Choosing one over the other, may simply come down to why you're drinking tea. Do you need to prioritize a caffeine boost or need those radical agents to be ninja’d. 

Green Tea - Healthiest of the Teas - The most antioxidants because the leaves undergo little to no oxidation, leaves are steamed. Good for heart health, reduces diabetes & inflammation. Inflammation inside or outside the body. Full of L-Theanine (Recommended for those who have Neuro-Divergent Spectrum Issues), which supports lower stress and anxiety and increases cognitive output. Where you're going to get stuck is, do you need a brain boost or a metabolism boost. Oolong Tea is often linked to potential weight loss and metabolism boost. 

Oolong Tea - The Fine Wine of the Teas - Because this tea repeats a few steps (Of the 7 Step Process) over and over again, and can sometimes be fermented. It has an interesting flavor and is special in its own class. This tea offers improvement to the immune system, skin, mood, and cognitive. With a special nod, some studies showing that it helps actively fight active cancer. Similar sounding to Green Tea, which also helps prevent cancer. Contrasting from Green Tea, Oolong helps in fighting those active cancer cells directly, while also helping to remove toxins from what the cancer does to the body.

White Tea - Most Delicate of the Teas - These are the “baby buds”, they haven't opened or still have their fluffy baby white hairs. It reminds me of how human babies have that white silky fuzz directly following birth. White Tea leaves are lightly oxidized which makes them great against free radicals. This tea is known for its ability to help bones, both for the young and old. It helps fight against tooth decay and osteoporosis. While both White and Green have some of the same benefits. There's newer studies suggesting that White Tea may be one with most antioxidants, which might hold true considering it is the least processed (7 Step Process) of all the teas. Therefore, choosing this fluffy baby tea bud is paramount to ensure you get the antioxidant punch your liver may be craving. 

Earl Grey Tea - Most Sophisticated of the Teas - For Tea lovers, this tea might be disputed for its sophistication rating. Because At its core, it is a Black Tea, however its uniqueness comes from the added orange bergamot oil (within the 7 Step Process). It carries all the same helpful benefits as Black Tea, but is included in this list because of its uniqueness and is most commonly enjoyed as a Breakfast Tea & Lunch Tea.

Matcha Tea - The Super-Hero of the Teas - This Green Tea refineries puts it on the list because during the 7 Step Process, everything but the leaves are picked out. After the 7 Step Process is complete the Green Tea leaves are stone ground (mortar and pestle) into a fine powder. 1 teaspoon of this powder might be the equivalent of several cups of Green Tea made from the leaves. Which packs a super powerful punch to all the health aiding properties that come with Green Tea. Don't go overboard though, you might find yourself extra dehydrated (thus revoking the positives), from diarrhea. 

Yellow Tea - The Least Grassy Tea - Is considered to be more similar to Green Tea than White Tea. Although it shares some similarities in how its processed, White Tea is often described as a milder and reduced grassy flavor. Yellow Tea has been studied to show, it might be the best of the tea colors when it comes to its anti-inflammatory benefits. Someone with a chronic condition or disease might find this tea helpful with pain management. Its also been linked with weight loss, insulin resistance and aids in fat burning & anti-aging because it helps with Sun/UV damage.  

Fermented Teas include Pu-erh Tea & Kombucha, and other Teas that are aged with bacteria, yeast, or mold. Although, any Tea could  technically be fermented. These two are known for the special taste and branding.  Pu-erh tea - A post-fermented tea that is aged using a traditional or accelerated fermentation process. Kombucha - A sweet and tangy tea that is fermented with a culture of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha can be made from black, green, white, or oolong tea, Kombucha is a probiotic-rich drink that is slightly alcoholic. Even with a slightly fermented taste, many people prefer this as an afternoon drink, serving to aid in breakfast and lunch digestion, but it supposedly provides consumers with an extra calmness needed to make it through the rest of the day, without negatively impacting bedtime or sleep routines.  

Herbal

(If you've already read Spill the Tea Part 1, you can skip this section.)

Number one, is that just because it's called a tea, a tea leaf, does not it make. They really should be called “Hot Brewed Beverage”, to be truly considered a tea leaf, it must come from the Camellia Sinensis Plant and have gone through the 7 Step Process (gone over in Spill the Tea Part 1). Secondly, an Herbal Tea must be just that. A singular; herb, spice, vegetable or fruit. Herbal Blend Teas are hot brewed drinks that contain several different dried herbs, spices, veggies or fruits. The ingredient can come in its whole parts, seeds, stems, just leaves or flowers. Those can come whole, broken up, ground up or pulverized into a powder. I feel its necessary to also comment, not every single part of a plant (flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, roots etc.) are safe for human or animal consumption. Please do your research before dumping a random whole plant into your teapot. 

When Taste is all that Matters

Black Tea is a robust flavor profile, similar to black coffee. It has earthy, malty notes, with some specialty brands (like Earl Grey) featuring hints of citrus, chocolate or spice.

Green Tea has a grassy, earthy, vegetal and herbaceous flavor profile.

White Tea is delicate, naturally sweet, and all around demure in its flavor profile. It's been titled the least grassy tasting of all the teas. 

Oolong Tea is similar tasting to green tea with the grassy notes but more balanced by its smooth floral flavor added into the mix. 

Pu Erh Tea is similar in taste to Black Tea, but with added fermentation or notes of alcohol. Which can give it a stout-beer feeling. 

When Should I do it 

If you're like me and too many options overwhelm you, paralyze you, or force you to research something for 2 days before you can decide. No worries. I found the perfect routine loving schedule for you! But just so you know, you can do it and pick the perfect tea for yourself (I Be-Leaf in You!). Firstly, decide what you personally need. Do you need Caffeine vs Health, Taste vs Health, Specific Ailment Treatment with no regards to caffeine or taste. Hopefully, that helps narrow down the infinite a bit. Then start with the most basic, go buy one box of Tea or one box of an Herbal Blend from your local grocery store. Remember many Teas & Blends can have added spices, hot or cold, loaded with cream, sugar, honey, lemon or just the "basic" brew. 

All that Ails

I think it would be safer to go and buy an herbal book that lists everything you can and cannot brew into a hot beverage.

There are simply too many options between fruits, veggies, spices and herbs. So I’m going to stick to a few main areas of the body that most people would want to focus on, and give you a few options for self-medicating. There are a lot of crossovers within the wide spectrum of Tea. As an example Ginger Tea, helps or alleviates gastrointestinal issues, while also helping with heart health, insulin levels, pain and inflammation, and helps with immunity. So whether your drinking Ginger Tea for a tummy ache, arthritis, or diabetes, its hard to find a negative in something as powerful as Ginger.

However, for the purpose of this blog, I will focus on a few areas including; Sleep, Stress, Immunity, Gastrointestinal, and Hormonal. Because those are the things I personally struggle with, and this blog is more about me having a way to catalog my insights and knowledge and less about making money or becoming rich and famous from a thousand followers/readers. (I’m divergent, so I hope that wasn't too blunt or rude, because I also love info-sharing/dumping. Who wouldn't enjoy the dopamine hits, when you get a thumbs up from a stranger?) 

My Personal Favorites include Mint Teas, it seems to help with my allergies, dry mouth and tummy issues. I personally enjoy the minty/menthol flavor. My kids however, say it feels like a brain freeze, but in your lungs. My daughter coined the term “Lung Freeze” when I use mint, vicks, or eucalyptus oils for the showers and baths. So, if you hate toothpaste, mouthwash, and the “lung freeze”, avoid the mints.  

When I’m suffering with chest colds, Mullein (or Gordolobo, as my Hispanic in-laws call it) & Celery Seed Teas are my go too. However, I really don't like the taste of either and I suspiciously put off working them into my regime. I always feel better on the days I have Ginger. 

It's a magic rhizome, contrary to popular belief it's not a root, TECHNICALLY, it's a stem. (Saying the word technically, and then offering up random factiods is a Stim for me. Punny Pun moment, I'm stimming for technical stems). Some people can find Ginger spicy, but I personally love the deep throat gingery spicy tickle (tsk tsk tsk dirty bird), and it really helps clear that constant throat mucus that comes with allergies. This rhizome will provide almost instant relief to acid reflux and heartburn and all around nausea, but it also seems to help with joint inflammation and on rainy days I have to drink extra. 

Chamomile, Jasmine & Lavender are so soothing to me. It just puts my brain on a different wavelength and I enjoy the floral sip of Jasmine way too much!

Dandelion, Rose & Red Raspberry Teas are some of my favorite tasting. I use them often when I’m suffering with monthly cycles. With my first pregnancy, my midwife suggested Red Raspberry towards the very end of my pregnancy because it helps your body complete the full contraction. Getting my money's worth with every PUSH.All pregnant and breast feeding people should always talk to their Physician about the potential risks and rewards of Herbs and Blends whilst pregnant or breast feeding. I know everyone is different, but I do firmly believe drinking Red Raspberry Tea helped with my labor and delivery. Ask me any day, being pregnant was the hardest part, labor and delivery the easiest. Of course there's no admirable way to say this, but giving birth hurts, and I wouldn't want to do it ever, ever, again; Red Raspberry included or not. 

This is one of my favorite Tea Wheels. It really breaks it down to an easy pick and choose for the beginning consumer. 

Conclusion

Unless it's Texas Southern Style Sweet Tea, no matter which option you pick, it's going to help your body in some way shape or form. All Camilla Sinesis Plant Teas will provide your body with micro-nutrients, that can benefit almost every part of your body internally and externally. I wish everyone well on their Tea journey and hope you found this a fun way to learn about Tea. Hopefully it was concise enough, so you didn't waste too much time learning about tea even though this is your 18th midnight internet tangent for today. 

Whatever you choose, it’s personal, it’s adaptable, it can be as broad or as specific as you like. It can be rich & dark or light & airy, it can be spicy or sweet, grassy or floral, sour or soulful, it can come fully loaded or just the “basic” singular tea type by itself. You can use it for caffeine or sleep. There’s really no limit, so many different countries and cultures have their own spin on it, which is remarkable to learn about, and quite possibly another blog worthy topic. I would say no one person could ever try to taste and drink them all, with all the different combinations. But my brain knows, there’s at least one autistic person out there with the strict goal driven & hyper focus needed to pull it off! So have fun and enjoy and treat your body well. 

Until our next TEA-licious Time together. 

(Next time might not be about Tea tough)

MEDICAL ALERT:

It is IMPORTANT, that this is not being taken as medical advice. Please talk to your physician about these key nutrients in tea (ex. magnesium, potassium, etc.), before consuming them.

ALL of these nutrients can be found in the Tea Plant.

ALL of these nutrients can be

DANGEROUS if not DEADLY

if combined with other medications and prescriptions, or by using them individually as supplements or vitamins!!!

Also, no buttchugging or doucheglugging, I’m serious.

Don't FAFO, please.