Combating the stress of the holidays? There’s nothing like a nice warm cup of tea to help you regain your focus and clarity. And while all teas and herbs, in their warmth, in the ritual, in their own way, have the ability to offer you soothing comfort, there are some that do this better than others.
There is a class of herbs called Adaptogens that help the body cope (or adapt) with stress by way of toning the endocrine system. Our endocrine systems naturally release hormones as a response to stress. But we are on constant overload in our modern world of continuous stimuli, which brings on fatigue and chronic illnesses. No one is immune to stress and stress contributes to nearly 85% of all disease, pains and sicknesses. And while western scientists have only recently started to study adaptogens and their balancing effects on the body, the use of adaptogenic herbs has been popular for thousands of years in eastern medicinal practices like Traditional Chinese Medicine and India’s ancient system called Ayurveda. Some of these tension taming herbs include: ginseng, eleuthero, schisandra, licorice root and Tulsi.
This last herb, Tulsi, from India and is also known as Holy Basil. It is slowly gaining popularity here in the States, but can be hard to find. Stash Teas has two products you might want to try this season: Lavender Tulsi and Mellow Moments. While both of them are blended infusions, they are both designed to impart a sense of peace and calm. Tulsi is unique in flavor. It tastes like it already IS a blend, with its sweet, minty and spicy undertones. It is indeed a member of the Mint family.
Any herb that can be used to calm the mind, boost immunity, manage stress, provide relief from fever/flu and colds, increase strength and stamina and promote an overall sense of balance and wellness as Holy Basil does, is a truly special, perhaps even sacred herb.
Indeed Tulsi, or Holy Basil is sacred. In Hindu ceremonies, the Tulsi plant is offered to the god, Vishnu, who is said to protect & preserve the world. What better symbol than an herb that protects and preserves our health.
So instead of being overwhelmed this holiday season, try drinking a cup a day. It is sure to have you feeling better and more relaxed inside and out!
Disclaimer: This is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your physician for your particular needs.
Madam Potts’ Mad Blog of Tea!
© Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog, 2009-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this article’s author and/or the blog’s owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Tea Blog 