Welcome back and Blessings everyone! This class is about TEA. Tea is a wonderful thing, it calms the nerves, soothes the digestion, encourages enlightening conversation, heals ills, and is a warm wonderful addition to a good book and comfy sitting spot.

So, let’s get the necessary tools together to explore this wonderful beverage. You will need the following: a teapot or percolator, if you have city water or it does not taste good use PH balanced bottled water, some honey or other natural sweetener, a favorite mug and spoon, a tea ball to hold loose tea, and of course some herbs.

Herbal choices for the beginner : Chamomile (soothing, makes it easy to sleep, only use if you are not going to be driving, ) Lemon Balm ( calming, good for the digestion) Hibiscus (lemony flavor, however will lower blood pressure so use caution) Lavender, Echinacea, Sage, and Peppermints ( lovely flavor, immune boosters, soothers)

ENJOY THE CEREMONY, TRADITION AND QUIETNESS OF PREPARING THE TEA.

Tea is an infusion of plant matter through the use of hot water over the shredded, dried leaves and sometimes stems and roots of plants. This technique has been used since the beginnings of time by Shamans, mothers, wise women, healers, and the population in general for a myriad of issues. Tea can be a way to enjoy the benefits of a plant’s healing powers. Echinacea, chamomile, peppermint, these come to mind when thinking of healing plants. They boost the immune system, relax the nerves and soothe the digestion. They also taste great! Tea is a social medium as well. It is served when gathering with friends or visitors to relax the situation, set a warm welcome, allow for an easy conversational setting. Comforting and healing tea is something that will assist in the expansion of the mind and soul.

This lesson’s focus will be to research 3 teas of your choice and try them out! Make sure that you read and research well, do not use something that may not work well if you are on any pharmaceutical medications. Pharmaceutical medications for mood, blood pressure, and blood sugar do not mix well with St. John’s Wort, Hibiscus, or Cinnamon. If you are pregnant do not use Sage, Oregano, Hibiscus, or Rosemary.

When you have tried the teas, write your research out and submit. Please include the type of plant used, why you chose it, have you used it before, how it tastes, did you use a sweetener, did you mix it with another type of plant, what were the results. Enjoy, cheers.