A Life With Tea

by Dr. Andrew Weil

Founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine

I have written about the health benefits of green tea for more than 30 years, and it is possible that in some very small way I have helped this wonderful beverage become popular in the United States. I hope so, because today, thousands of scientific studies confirm what the ancient Chinese knew through simple observation: green tea is perhaps the most healthful beverage human beings can consume. Studies either strongly suggest or confirm that the antioxidants in green tea can reduce LDL cholesterol, promote fat burning, reduce the risk of several forms of cancer and alleviate depression.

But tea is much more than the healthful compounds in it. It is an experience, and for me, a personal story of discovery that continues to this day.

Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary.~ Chinese Proverb

When I was growing up in Philadelphia in the 1940s and 50s, my parents drank coffee exclusively -- black and unsweetened. I did not like it (and still don't). The only tea we knew about was Lipton, in bags. Old and sick people drank hot tea. My parents and I drank iced tea in the summer, much sweetened.

Then, after graduating from high school in 1959, I had a life-changing experience. As part of a remarkable institution known as the International School of America, I traveled around the world in nine months with a group of fellow students. In Japan, I was exposed to sencha -- the everyday green tea drunk by all Japanese. More significantly, I experienced matcha, the powdered green tea, as part of a true Japanese tea ceremony. Many Americans have heard of, or even taken part in, this ceremony today, but in 1959 it was virtually unknown to the Western world. The idea of using a food -- tea -- as a ceremonial object of focus and meditation fascinated me and made a strong impression.

Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world. ~ T'ien Yiheng

Later on that same trip, I had a chance to drink tea in other Asian cultures as well as in middle Eastern and European countries, and by the time I returned to the U.S. to attend Harvard College, I was a confirmed tea aficionado and experimenter. In the early 1960s, I recall in particular a period of enthusiasm for lapsong souchong, a Taiwanese tea that is smoked over pinewood fires, imparting a rich, dark color and a complex, satisfying flavor.

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.  ~ Japanese Proverb

In the 1970s and 80s, I became concerned about widespread coffee addiction in America. Many of my patients had longstanding disorders -- such as chronic stress, insomnia or gastrointestinal conditions -- and had been to dozens of doctors, taken many medications, but found no relief. I was nearly always the only doctor who 1) asked them if they drank coffee, and 2) told them in no uncertain terms to stop drinking it for at least two months to see if the problem resolved.

This simple counsel was amazingly successful. My files are full of accounts of chronic health problems that resolved completely when people stopped drinking coffee. In many cases, these patients became tea drinkers, and found the experience satisfying and healthful.

For what I drink now, and why, please read "My Life with Tea, Part Two." In the meantime, I'd like to read your personal tea story -- when did you begin to drink tea, and how have your consumption habits changed through the years?

Andrew Weil, M.D., invites you to grab a cup of tea join the conversation: become a fan onFacebook, follow him on Twitter, and check out his Daily Health Tips Blog. Dr. Weil is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and the editorial director of www.DrWeil.com

Source : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/a-life-with-tea_b_661017.html

How To Use Fresh Ginger Root to Improve Your Health

By Norman Bailey

Ginger root has been a favored spice back in Ancient times primarily in India and China. This spice is believed to provide a veritable cure all effect. From rheumatism and arthritis to more common stomach cramps, food poisoning, and body odor, ginger root supposedly can provide relief and fight off these conditions. This is probably why using fresh ginger root to supplement regular meals is still a popular choice in this modern age. If you are looking to supplement your diet with this natural herb, then here are some ideas on how to do just that.

• Add to solid meals. Again, fresh ginger root is a spice that can be used to add flavor to common meals not to mention the curative properties it brings to the table. That being said, a good way to incorporate the herb into your meals is to grate the root and add it to your food. For instance, you can sprinkle grated ginger root to your meats, fish, salads, and other solid dishes. Remember that ginger is a strong spice so be careful not to put too much on your meals or you will find them heavily flavored and quite strong. It is highly recommended to add about a tablespoonful of grated ginger root to your dishes for good flavor and optimal health.

• Add to soup. People always tend to have soup at least once a day as a standalone meal or a beginner to a healthy main course. In this case, you can add grated ginger root to any type of soup for as long as the flavor does not ruin the taste that the soup brings to palate. Some people opt to create ginger root soup as well which is basically composed of broth and shaved ginger. The trick to the soup is to throw it in and let it set while you cook the soup. Once you serve the soup, make sure to remove all the traces of ginger so that only the flavor and extract remain.

• Make ginger root tea. Another popular option for most people is to make a nice hot beverage made out of ginger root. Personally, I am not a fan of this tea but some people find it quite appealing. The steps in making the tea are simple. Boil some water, about a couple of cups should do. Once the water is boiling, add a couple of pieces of sliced ginger root into the water. Let it sit and steep for a few minutes and drain the tea to separate the ginger. You don’t want to drink the tea while the ginger is there. At this point, you can add a couple drops of honey or a teaspoonful of sugar to sweeten the tea. Some people even add milk to the mix, which can be a good combination as well.

Aside from these common options, you can take fresh ginger root straightforward by chewing it and extracting the juices in the process. This may not be appealing to most people due to the strong flavor of the herb, but it is still the most effective way to supplement your diet and get a little bit healthier.

Source : http://www.howtodothings.com/health-fitness/how-to-use-fresh-ginger-root-to-improve-your-health