Essential Tea Secrets - Best Teas for Your Physical Wellbeing Volume #3
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Essential Tea Secrets
Volume #3
Best Teas for Your Physical Wellbeing
Copyright © Tarot-n-Tea 2019
Essential Tea Sorcery: 5 Transformation Secrets About Water
www.TarotNTea.com
Brought to you by
Our mission is to provide curated Tarot-n-Tea
experiences through subscription Ritual Tea Boxes
transforming lives sip by sip, card by card,
Essential Tea Secrets is a Tarot-n-Tea series offering insights and
secrets on how you can get the most of out of your tea ritual through
ancient practices, working with the elements, managing the
fundamentals of the tea ritual, understanding tea and its
components through a Western framework heavily influenced by
the East (those who gifted tea to the rest of the world).
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Essential Tea Secrets
Volume #3
Best Teas for Your
Physical Wellbeing
By
Mario Zeleny
Copyright © 2019 Mario Zeleny
Published by: Tarot-n-Tea
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic,
or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a
retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private use—other than for
“fair use” as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews—without prior written
permission of the publisher. The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or
prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical
problems. Do not attempt to treat yourself without the advice of a physician, either directly or
indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature. In the event
you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the
author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.
Printed in the United States of America
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Tea’s very first use was as medicine.
People have boasted outrageous health
claims about tea for thousands of years
and now science is proving them right, or
so it seems. Here is a short summary
from the long list of the medicinal
properties of tea:
• Remember when you heard, “Sit down
and have a cup of tea for your nerves?”
They were right! Matcha and other teas
are rich in L-Theanine which calms and
soothes. L-Theanine counteracts the side effects of caffeine. Think of tea as
a cup of calm alertness.
• Green tea has been found to be effective in treating Diabetes. Studies found
green tea helped control blood sugar levels and assisted with weight control.
• Tea is good at hydrating the body. It could be even more effective than
water because of the nutrients infused from tea.
• In one study, tea helped in recovery from radiation exposure by protecting
against cellular breakdown.
• Green tea was found to improve bone density and strength.
• Green tea is effective in preventing neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s. Polyphenols in green tea help maintain brain functions that
regulate learning and memory.
• People who drank hot tea regularly were more inclined to have a lower BMI
(Body Mass Index).
• Tea helps skin cells exposed to radiation recover to post exposure health.
• Tea lowers the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
• Green tea lowers cholesterol.
• Tea helps destroy free radicals.
• Tea boosts exercise endurance.
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• Antioxidants in tea help prevent many different kinds of cancers.
• Tea drinking helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Tea helps prevent kidney stones.
• Black tea will help keep you alert.
• Tea is antibacterial and anti-fungal
• Green tea helps break down fats.
• Do you remember Shen Nong in the origin story of tea? He is quoted as
saying that tea cleansed him of toxins? Well, he was right. Chlorophyll in
green tea is a powerful detoxifier.
• Green tea is good at keeping the liver healthy.
• Studies have shown that green tea counteracts arthritis inflammation.
• White tea has been shown effective at destroying Staph and pneumonia.
• Green tea is rich in
vitamin C and D.
• Tea is effective in
fighting halitosis, or bad
breath.
• Green tea is effective in
repair damage caused
by heart burn in the
esophagus.
Tea is an antifungal agent.
In addition, there are also ancient healing rituals that included tea: asperses
(purification through smoke or water), skin piercing needles (acupuncture), fire
cupping (fire sealed glass cups to skin), as well as sacrifices within temples and also
as “cures” through deed and sacrifice as well as through the art of placement.
Eastern Medicine Philosophy: A Brief Introduction
In the following pages, please find tables providing brief explanations on tea
types, their medicinal qualities from Traditional Chinese Medicine:
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Tea Category Common Notable Aspects It Helps…
Varietals
Black Tea Most of the Picked and processed by diarrhea,
Western Black Tea you can machine. Sub-species. dysentery,
Tea buy at your gastro-enteritis,
(Indian tea is local grocery hepatitis,
made from the store and wounds, burns,
native Camellia higher end bruises, insect
assamica species bites
plant from which boutique
Indian tea is shops
made produces
higher levels of
caffeine)
West refers to Premium Look for the tea that is Reduce fatigue,
Chinese Black Lapsang from small farms, ancient stimulating the
Tea actually Sauchong trees and processed by central nervous
Hong Cha (Red Black Tea hand. system
Tea)
Keemun Black High in Calcium
Tea (First
Reduce fat,
Grade)
protein and low-
density “bad”
Golden Tips
cholesterol
Red Tea (Dien
Hong)
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Rich in fluoride,
promotes dental
health
Enhance blood
vessel elasticity
and strength
Hei Cha Liubao, Liu’An, Each is a unique and Aids digestion,
Bai Liang distinctive tea. Every type weight loss, liver
of Heicha tea is associated regeneration,
with a particular place in and lowers
China and is not produced blood sugar.
anywhere else in China. Rich in
This made with large and antioxidants and
medium-sized leaves from is antibacterial,
local varietals. The and anti-
processing varies within inflammatory
each place of origin. Hei
Cha is made from fully
oxidized leaf and is
classified as ‘black’ or ‘dark’
tea in China It is an
oxidized tea leaves
undergo a wet
fermentation which
exposes the leaf to high
humidity and moisture
over a period of time in a
controlled environment.
Some is dried over low pine
wood embers.
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Green/Yellow Cloud Mist Green Tea is the least Regulates
Tea Green Tea processed. The leaves cholesterol and
naturally breakdown by high blood
Long Jing enzymatic oxidation just pressure
(Dragon Well) like any other organic
Green Tea material, although it is Bacterial killing
faster than other teas. properties in the
White Tips Pi mouth and
Green Tea is best kept in a
Lo Chun (Bi Lo intestines
cool, dry place in an airtight
Chun) Green
container. Refrigeration is
Tea Anti-bacterial
said to improve the taste.
and anti-viral
The tea will be stable and
last longer with Lowers lower
refrigeration. blood sugar
Puer- Real Pu-Erh Tea Green or “Sheng”: (also Aids digestion
Chinese Black Cake Red Dayi called raw, un-cooked, and fat break
post-fermented 7262 Menghai green health tea) down
and aged Tea Factory,
2003 Black or “Shou”: (also Has been used
(Black/Shou) called ripe, cooked tea) in the treatment
of
Pu-Erh Tea arteriosclerosis,
Brick, Wild colds, bleeding
Leaves, Ke Yi and hepatitis
Xing, 1990s
(Green/Sheng) High level of
Vitamin C which
Pu-Erh Tuo is soluble in
Cha, Xiaguan water and can
Tuo, Xiaguan be rapidly
Tea Factory,
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1990s assimilated by
(Green/Sheng) the body
Emperor Pu-
Erh Loose Leaf
Tea 2000
(Black/Shou)
White Tea White Peony White tea is lightly Known to
White Tea (Bai processed. The leaves reduce radiation
Mu Dan) naturally breakdown by levels
enzymatic oxidation just
Silver Needle like any other organic Repairs DNA
White Tea (Bai material. It is best kept in a damage
Hao Yin Zhen) cool, dry place in an airtight
Reduces
container. The tea will be
inflammation
stable and last longer with
caused by
refrigeration.
rheumatoid
arthritis
Controls insulin
High source of
Vitamin A
preventing night
blindness
Oolong Iron Buddha Usually processed in seven Reduction in
(also called Tie steps. It is semi-fermented skin irritations
Guan Yin, and is in-between
Chinese unfermented green tea and
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Oolong, fermented black tea (red Break down fat
Buddha of tea in China). and increases
Mercy, Gun fat metabolism
Yam) Oolong is sometimes
written as Wulong but the Lowers
Da Hong Pao meaning is the same: Oo cholesterol
(also called (Wu means black) Long
Muscle relaxant
Wuyi Cliff Tea, (means Dragon). Oolong
in the bronchial
Big Red Robe) Tea is also known in China
tract
as "Qing Cha".
Phoenix Tea Regulates body
Taiwan temperature
Oolong (also
called High Prevent tooth
Mountain decay
Oolong)
High source of
Vitamin C
The Low Down on Medicinal Uses of Tea in the Modern Age
While it’s very insightful if not downright exciting that so many studies on the
medicinal impact of tea on the human body have proven claims made thousands of
years ago are correct, what is alarming is that the information gleaned and
reported from these studies isn’t all that useful due to the poor studies being
conducted and poor reporting. But the average consumer would not know this.
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Tea Drinkers Misled
The first issue with most tea studies is the comparison of tea drinkers from
Asian countries to non-tea drinkers from non-Asian countries. What’s so bad about
that? Well, quite often the professionals undertaking the studies have no idea what
kind of tea is being consumed. They can tell you that it is green or black, but they
cannot tell you what kind, where it came from or who made it. There are hundreds
of black teas and green teas from a variety of environments, trees and countries;
that is to say nothing of the differences in tea processing. Not all teas in the same
category are processed the same way. In addition, depending on the country in
which the study was conducted, teas
commonly consumed by the masses in
Asian countries are distinctly different
from that of non-Asian countries. The
teas consumed in Europe can also be very
different from what is consumed in
America. To tell the public that green tea
does this and black tea does that, is
extremely erroneous without this
additional and specific information.
Why All the Drama, Mama
The second issue concerns exactly what you are
being sold. It’s not just about what the studies say
and what those who report the studies want you to
believe. It’s about the tea you buy and what you are
being told you are buying. Here are a few facts:
1) The teas most often consumed in American, largely in Europe and sold in
other countries as cheap tea are teas that have been genetically changed.
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The teas have been genetically changed to be harvested all year. As a result,
tea leaves are not fully mature like the original tea trees and the new tea
bushes do not absorb or create as much nutrients like the original tea trees.
2) Most all commercial teas are mechanically processed, and the leaves are
damaged early in the process. In addition, new processing method’s priority
is how fast the tea can be processed and not what is
good for the tea. Tea was originally processed by
hand and the goal was to not damage the leaf. In
addition, proper processing encouraged nutrient
retention as well as nutrient creation.
3) Because of the sheer demand for tea and because tea companies are
publicly traded commodities, their priority is their shareholders (not you) and
how much money they make while supplying a tea that is affordable yet
palatable (something you will buy). How do you do this? By blending tea.
Very poor tea is blending with poor (one step higher in quality) tea to
improve its taste. This makes the very poor tea taste better, but also means
the tea sells for more money. Many teas often get a flavor enhancement via
essential oils and other chemical additives and/or gets mixed with even more
tea. Quite often your tea has been a round the world 5 times to be blended
with other teas or treated before it finally makes its way to your tea table.
4) New strains of tea are genetically developed not
only for year around harvesting but also for
specific environments. As a result, genetically
modified trees need their own specific kind of
pesticides. While your organically grown tea was
grown on a certified farm it was most likely mixed
with non-organic teas in its blending trip around
the world. But this kind of information isn’t
recorded or tracked officially. By the time is gets to you, your organic tea is
no longer organic. This process includes the majority of large commercially,
branded teas includes most “boutique” tea businesses.
5) Nutritional value of tea varies greatly in general and varies greatly by world
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region. For instance, much of the Matcha green tea that is consumed in the
west is substandard. Yet, many studies do not distinguish what kind of green
tea was being consumed. Many of these same studies have reportedly been
measuring Matcha tea consumption and not green leaf infusion consumption.
Matcha is known, even in substandard brands, to have more nutrition than
the many green leaf teas in the little foil bags. While Matcha has gained
popularity in America, much of the green tea consumed is dried leaf via
infusion, whereas Matcha is ground whole leaf green tea; when you drink
Matcha you are consuming the whole leaf. This is not so with the green leaf
in the disposable paper diffuser bags when just the infusion of leaf is
consumed.
What’s in a Name?
In order for the westerner to discuss tea, the westerner often says Black, Green
or White tea. This system of names is an actual dumbing down of teas. Tea is
incredibly more complex, and many teas are misclassified in the west. What a Black
Tea is the West is not what Black tea is in the East. So, when these studies say
Black, which black are they referring? Which black tea do you think they are talking
about? Chances are, it is not the tiny flakes in the paper pouches.
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Within the designated classification of teas in the west, there are many sub-
classifications, but you don’t get to hear about that. For instance, do you know
what teas are large leaf or what is small leaf? When you go into your grocery store
to choose tea, do you know if it is from the Camellia sinensis or Camellia assamica?
What difference does it make? It makes a great deal of difference.
What They Don’t Tell You
Let’s assume some of these studies were actually
comparing leaf infusions of green tea. Within this
category of green tea, the tea quality and nutrition vary
tremendously from one region of the world to another.
But within each region, the types of green teas and their
nutritional value also varies greatly. When you read a
report of a study or the actual case study itself, they
have no idea what type and quality green tea was
regularly consumed. Some ethical studies will admit
this. However, this lack of information and
generalization misleads the public into believing any
green tea will supply the miracles associated within the study. This just isn’t true.
There are many other considerations as well, which a few reports have
admitted. Such as not knowing how long the tea was brewed and what
temperature the water was used to make the tea. What I also have never heard
mentioned is the difference in size between the western “cup” of tea and the
Eastern “cup” of tea; neither of which is an actual cup. The western cup often far
exceeds 8 oz and the eastern cups is considered large if it approaches 4 ounces.
And, Eastern people can often consume 10-20 “cups” per day; whereas the
Western person may only consume 1-3. Who, then, consumes more tea?
Additionally, I have heard comments from Americans in the south who explain they
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consume enough sweet iced tea in a day double or triple that of their Asian
counterparts per day, but none of the studies mention this.
The last confusing aspect to these studies is that Eastern tea often does not
include any additives such as sugar and milk. Western tea is often dependent on
sugar and milk, especially in commercially prepared brands. One must ask then,
“Do Asian people suffer from less diseases because of their tea consumption is
more than the Westerner, or because of the lack of sugar/milk consumption with
tea?”
To Each His Own
You must read the studies and weigh the evidence for yourself. However, in
truth there remains very little scientific unanimity on the health benefits of tea.
What you mostly read and hear are writers and reporters making their own
interpretation of the data with money supplied by the tea industry to fund most of
the studies and reports. When you read a magazine or listen to a news,
they report what the last guy said and continue quoting other reporters on health
fads by writers with their degrees in journalism, not health. Physicians have been
just as fooled by these report as we have all been.
Here is what we know for sure:
• Tea contains vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, antioxidants,
chlorophyll and a variety of other nutrients. If you have a poor diet,
tea can help supply some of what you may be missing but it is not a
substitute for a healthy diet.
• Tea has chemicals in it that can sharpen your focus and calm your
nerves.
• Teas nutritional content vary greatly from where it was grown and
how it was processed and what a population has general access
too.
• Big brand teas offer poor nutritional value.
• Many organic teas are not organic.
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• Tea is hard on your digestive system. Green, yellow and some white
teas are the hardest because of the little processing that is done to
them. The more processing, the less harsh many teas become. It is
recommended to eat something when you drink tea to protect your
digestive system from the caffeine and acid.
• Tea is an excellent substitute for most other drinks as long as no sugar or
very little milk is added.
So Now What?
What remains is that any food has the potential for both positive and
negative health benefits. This depends on many factors. The most important factor
being how the end consumer chooses and then uses said food; too much of a good
thing can be bad.
Because of this state of affairs, we cannot recommend tea drinking for a
specific biological health benefit and we also believe is it inferior to do so. Here is
why: There is something far more important that has
a greater sway over your overall health. That would
be energy. Energy is everything in our existence. Like
money, energy has a value and distinction. How you
react to one energy may be opposite how I react to
that very same energy. Energy, or Qi as it is referred
to in Eastern Medicine, is what Eastern Medicine is
based on. Rather than depending on others for your
“facts”, it is far more helpful to not only gather the real
facts for yourself, but to also analyze and measure
your individual reaction to the Qi of a given tea. Having an intimate relationship
with tea is to cultivate a relationship not only with the tea but also with the
elements and nature itself. The benefit of this relationship is more real, more
accurate and more valuable than what any writer or reporter can tell you.
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If you wish to use tea as medicine, here a few guidelines to help you get started:
• Know your tea. Earlier, I gave you a brief introduction to the Eastern
medicinal associations of tea, but you must also ask knowledgeable people
and do your own research. There are many fine artisanal tea masters who
not only tend older, original tea trees organically, but do not have the funds
or the means to get certified. Getting tea from them supplies more nutrition
than most teas you can buy in a store; so ask around.
• Learn about Eastern Medicine’s philosophy and beliefs about teas. Western
medicine is very, very young and many studies “conclusions” are not
trustworthy. Eastern medicine has been using tea as medicine for thousands
of years and it has stuck around because it works.
• Understand where your tea came from and how it was processed. Try to stick
with premium whole leaf tea from trees that have not been genetically
modified and that have also been processed by hand, if you can.
• Stick with smaller tea companies that work directly with the Tea Master or
with a designated person that works directly with Tea Masters who grow and
process tea on their farm.
• Most importantly, keep a tea diary. Take tea samples and adhere them to
pages with clear packing tape to your notes. Include information like the
retail name, the actual name, what store you found it in, where it was grown,
your own cupping notes and experience drinking the tea (before, during and
after).
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Remember to share how your energy reacted with that tea’s energy. If it is
advertised as a tea that gives you energy, perhaps that wasn’t your experience.
Unless you specifically and consciously take time to know the tea, you may never
know what the truth is. Some teas that you believe you may not like, may surprise
you by becoming your
favorite.
It might be you thought
a particular tea was premium
tea, until you encountered
another one similar to it and
realized the big difference
with how it looks, tastes and
feels. Unless you keep a
diary, you will not realize or
remember these things accurately enough to understand tea or the tea ritual and
how to use tea effectively.
Plainly, what people tell you about tea, crystals or rituals, Gods or Goddesses
is a starting point and that’s all it is. Begin your own personal journey today and
discover the magic that is waiting just for you.
Coming Next….
Essential Tea Secrets Volume #2: Water, Time and Temperature
Essential Tea Secrets Volume #4: How to Begin a Magical Relationship with Tea
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