New Blog: Tea Time Benefits

Assalaam Alaikum dear sister and good morning!

The sun is occasionally looking through the clouds here and the birds seem to praise Allah (swt) with their beautiful songs. Even the swallows have appeared again after a long winter-break, masha'Allah. If there is any bird I love the most, it must be the swallow! My time stands still when I hear them singing! :-)

I'm having another study-day, obviously, but just wanted to let you guys know about a new blog I created last night (click the screenshot to visit):

I have moved the tea-posts from this blog to Tea Time Benefits, because I want to make a tea-info collection there :-) insha'Allah. After my exams are finished in the end of June, I'll have more time to make new tea-posts so we can increase our knowledge about this beneficial drink, insha'Allah. For now I leave you with three "old" tea posts and one new about Nettle tea.

I hope you like the idea -and if you do, you are really welcome to follow that blog too! :-)

Take care all of you and have a splendid day with lots of smiles - and delicious tea, insha'Allah <3

PS: Don't forget to check out my post Blogger-sisterhood from yesterday, because there you'll see links to a lot of fabolous sister-blogs, masha'Allah!

Tea Time Benefits - Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is another one of Allah's (swt) miraculous creations. Perhaps many of us don't recognize just how miraculous this plant is, but insha'Allah you will know, after reading this post.

Chamomile tea has been consumed for hundreds of years. It is made by infusing German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), a member of the sunflower family, in hot water.

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is also beneficial, but most research has been done on German chamomile and it is the most commonly used in teas. 

Camomile tea is caffeine-fre and can be consumed on a daily basis.

Chamomile can be used topically or orally to treat a number of everyday ailments, such as:

- Insomnia and other sleep disorders
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks- Muscle twitches
- Wounds, burns, and scrapes 
- Skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, chickenpox, and diaper rash

Precautions

- Some people have serious allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to chamomile. If you are allergic to other plants in the same family such as daisy, ragweed, aster, chrysanthemum, or marigold you should use caution when using chamomile.

- Chamomile should be avoided during pregnancy because it may act as a uterine stimulant and therefore increase the chance of abortion.

- People with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners should avoid chamomile, as it contains coumarin and may increase the chance of bleeding.

But if you're not pregnant and don't suffer from allergy and bleeding disorders, you may enjoy the wonderful benefits of chamomile tea listed below:

How to use chamomile

For Stomach Cramps

Chamomile has been found to contain fairly strong antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory constituents. Therefore, it has been found to be effective in treating stomach and intestinal cramps. Simply prepare a cup of Chamomile tea following the directions on the package and drink it twice a day while symptoms are present (one cup first thing in the morning, and one in the evening)

For Insomnia
Chamomile is wonderful and healthy remedy for sleep disorders such as insomnia. Simply make a chamomile tea 30 to 45 minutes before going to bed to treat sleeplessness.

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Chamomile reduces cramping and pain in the bowels and also helps to relieve excessive gas and bloating in the intestines. Therefore, a simple remedy is to drink a cup of chamomile tea to help relieve irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, and gastroenteritis or stomach flu.

For Migraine Headaches
Chamomile is a wonderful cure for migraines. Take a cup of tea when you start noticing the symptoms of a migraine headache. It works best if you take it before the headache actually gets severe.

For Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) & Menstrual Cramps
Drinking chamomile tea has been found to be beneficial in treating PMS and Menstrual Cramps.

Chamomile to Treat Burns & Scrapes
Chamomile oil is very useful in treating bad burns. Simply rub a small amount of oil gently across the burned area once a day. For scrapes and burns you can also brew a strong concoction by adding 3 tea bags to one cup of boiling water. When the water cools, dip a cloth into it and use it as a compress on the wounded area. 

For Hair Brightening
Blond hair rinsed in Chamomile tea gets brightened naturally. If mixed with henna and then applied, natural highlights are formed in dark hair. 

For Dandruff & Irritated Scalp
Chamomile can be used to prevent dandruff and soothe an irritated scalp. Add two tablespoons of a strong herbal decoction to mild baby shampoo. To make a chamomile decoction, simmer one ounce of dried chamomile in two and half cups of distilled water for about 30 minutes. Strain, cool and add to a bottle of shampoo or use as a hair rinse.

Reducing Dark Circles Around Eyes
Chamomile tea has been found to help relieve eye fatigue and dark circles. A simple remedy is to dip 2 chamomile tea bags in warm water. After 5 minutes, remove the tea bags from the water and let them cool to room temperature. Then place them on your eyes at night as a compress.

Other Benefits of Chamomile Tea

- Drinking chamomile tea is advantageous for people with intestinal uneasiness. 

- Drinking chamomile tea activates anti-bacterial activity within the body, which increase the immune system and helps us to fight various diseases. 
- It is also beneficial for children as it helps in easing intestinal pains. It can also help in comforting a teething baby.
- To treat various respiratory ailments including asthma and sinus infections the steam of chamomile tea can be used. Chamomile tea turns out to be a great digestive drink with a hint of peppermint, which can help to soothe various digestion problems.
- The soothing beverage, with a hint of lemongrass, tends to relax the nerves and relieve unnecessary stress. 
- Drinking a cup chamomile tea daily can help in relieving various intestinal problems, including irritable bowel syndrome. 
- It is also rich in amino acids which help in tackling muscle spasms, and it is considered to be beneficial for people suffering from muscle spasms or menstrual cramps.
- Chamomile tea is analgesic that helps in relieving pain by reducing nerve excitability.

Sources:
sweetadditions.net

homeremediesweb.com

Insha'Allah you'll enjoy your tea time even more today.

Tea Time Benefits - Green- & Rooibos Tea

I love tea! And I know many other sisters out there also love tea :-) I know because we've had great tea parties together (here and here)! :-D

Today I want to write about two types of tea, which I enjoy very much - and I want to share the benefits of them with you:

Green Tea

Green Tea plant

Ancient Chinese people knew the benefits of green tea for health. They have always used it for medical purposes. However, in Ancient China, it was used especially against the headaches and depression! Here you can read some of the many other benefits there are from drinking green tea:

1. It is used to treat multiple sclerosis
2. It is used for treatment and prevention of cancer
3. It is used to stop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
4. It is used to raise the metabolism and increase fat oxidation
5. It reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of trombosis
6. It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer
7. Drinking green tea inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells, reduces the level of cholesterol in blood, improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol
8. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases
9. It is used to treat impaired immune function
10. Some researches show that, drinking green tea regularly may help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes the dental plaque
11. Prevents and helps treat diabetes
12. Rehydrates
13. Soothes stress and produces brain power.

Green tea should also prolong life! One of the largest population studies ever conducted: 40,530 Japanese adults were interviewed over the course of 11 years.

Researchers found those who drink 5 or more cups of green tea a day are 16% less likely to die than those who drink less than one cup a day.

Heavy green tea drinkers are also 26% less likely to die from heart disease.

Sources: HealthMad and Amazing Green Tea

It is recommended to drink about 3-6 cups of green tea a day.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos Tea plant

Also known as Red Tea or Redbush, is not an actual tea derived from the Camilla Sinensis plant. Rather Rooibos comes from a herb, which is indigenous to the Cederburg area of South Africa.

Scientists from Japan, who did studies in the 1960's, discovered Rooibos contains powerful antioxidants that are thought to retard aging and have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Here you can read some of the many other benefits there are from drinking Rooibos tea:

1. Contains similar amounts of polyphenols and has been shown to be anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity
2. Naturally caffeine-free so is ideal for people who want to cut back on caffeine or want to drink it before going to bed. Actually it’s recommended you drink it before going to bed as it can help with insomnia. It’s also very low in tannins
3. Contains calcium, manganese and fluoride to help build strong teeth and bones
4. Can be given to infants suffering from colic, sleeping problems or stomach cramps Simply add some milk to the tea
5. Contains alpha hydroxy acid and zinc which is great for the skin. You can even apply it directly to the skin to help with acne, eczema and sunburn etc.
6. People with kidney stones can drink it because there’s no oxalic acid
7. Full of vitamins and minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium

Sources: Learn about tea and Natural Health Remedies 

So enjoy your tea now! :-) I'm going to have some Rooibos right away (don't drink green tea before you want to go to sleep...'cause green tea makes you really fresh!) - and tomorrow's going to be a green tea day!

Take care dear sisters!

Join My Tea- & Coffee-party!

My little PC and a Coffee Latte Tiramisu!

I'm having a lovely Saturday. It seems to be the first real day of Spring because there are +10 degrees Celcius in some parts of the country :-D So I just had to get out of my home and go to one of my favorite café's and have a Coffee Latte Tiramisu! How I love that drink. Hehe. Also I felt like I'd been home a bit too much this week and I needed to go out... I already feel how that also makes it greater to get home later and see my husband again :-) 'cause sometimes I feel like we see each other a bit too much, which makes it less exciting... You know what they say, "it's good to miss each other a bit sometimes".

Well, back to my coffee. Yummi ;)

I feel like inviting you all here! But because it is impossible because of obvious reasons, I invite you to my virtual tea- and coffee party! Please join in my dear sisters :)

And because this is rose water throwing this party, you should all try making this lovely rose tea some day, if you're throwing a party yourself:

This recipe will make one gallon of rose tea.

• 8 bags of earl grey tea

• 1 large orange or two medium ones - sliced

• 1 cup of white sugar

• 3 tablespoons of rose water

• 1/2 gallon of hot water - 2 quarts

• 2 quarts of ice

I got the delicious recipe here, where you can read how to make it: http://www.fun-tea-party-ideas.com/rose-water-tea.html

But for this tea- and coffee party, tell me what you choose to drink :) and answer these 3 questions:

1. Do you have a memory connected to marshmallows, cornflakes or strawberries - if yes, what is it?

2. If you were going to have your last meal ever, what would you have?

3. What is freedom to you?

Here are my answers to the 3 questions:

1. Once (when I was 10)  I was on a wonderful vacation in the mountains of Norway with my family. We lived in a little house without water and electricity - and had to get water from a river :-) Every morning sheep would lick the plants and grass outside the house and I would go out to them on my bare feet and feed them cornflakes and suddenly more and more sheep would crowd outside the house every morning, begging for cornflakes :-D

2. I would have a vegetarian Indian dish with Indian bread and sweet mango lassi and for desert I'd have icecream with hot chocolate sauce and also a piece of cheesecake and a cup of green tea with roses...!

3. Freedom to me is when you feel free inside -- a peaceful and happy heart and soul, feeling the presence of Allah (swt) and feeling satisfaction and gratitude for everything there is.

Please join in my dear sisters! And I tag ~ x Aisha x ~, Alice, Marie & MoOn to throw the next tea- & coffee-parties :)
I send you lots of love and happiness on this beautiful Saturday!

TEA PARTY For Sisters

Blue Pearl (thank you for the last fantastic tea party!!) tagged me to throw the next tea party and I couldn't do it soon enough, so here you go! You're all invited and I hope you'll stay for a little while!