NOVEMBER 4, 2011 NEW HOBBY: TEA TASTING

"No pleasure is simpler, no luxury cheaper, no consciousness altering substance more benign." - James Norwood Pratt

Who is Norwood Pratt? What is Mr Pratt talking about? It could be anything when you read his quote unless you know Mr Pratt. We know it is a substance. It cannot be alcohol, chocolate or cocaine. This substance can be addicting but benign and has medicinal benefits. I would bet that at least once in your life you have had this substance.

It is TEA.

Tea is second to water as mankind's favorite drink. You might have though it is coffee, but it is not. On a whole, Americans are not tea drinkers, but in the last 10 years we are becoming tea drinkers. It might be due to the deluxe way tea is packaged these days -- Tazo and others. It could be the medicinal benefits that tea has to offer. The herb Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has been more researched published than any other herb. The polyphenols called flavinoids have been shown to have powerful antioxidant effects on the whole human body. I found Camellia so interesting that about four years ago I published a paper on Green Tea in The Journal of Health and Healing. (check out http://www.fratellonemedical.com/ under Published Papers)

In Pratt's 1999 book, New Tea Lover's Treasury (updated and expanded) there is a paragraph in Chapter 1 that inspired me.

It states

"Pleasure is far too serious to take lightly. Taking tea is a moment of windless calm amidst the bluster of daily events and has always been one of humanity's favorite pleasures, but beyond pleasure it can provide glimpses of the Ultimate, usually when we expect anything of the sort."

Why write about tea? I find this can be an interesting hobby for the novice tea drinker who wants to learn more. I was inspired by a panel of tea experts last night at a "Meaning of Tea" event sponsored by Scott Chamberlin Hoyt (producer/film director of The Meaning of Tea) to benefit the American Botanical Council. As a member of the American Botanical Council, I wanted to mingle among tea lovers, meet new friends, and seek out the founder and President of the ABC, Mark Blumenthal whom I have known for several years.

I even heard an interesting story from an audience member last night. The story retold is this. "A shaman/spiritual leader has been researching/studying and saving the 10,000 herbs of the world. He has researched only 5,000 herbs and gets ill. He is dying . His students ask him about the other 5,000 herbs and how will they know about them. Before the old spiritual /shaman dies he tells them the secret is in his top desk drawer. He tells them after his ceremonial burial rites, they may look in the top drawer. He dies. Days later the students unlock the top draw hoping to find the list of the other 5,000 herbs. They only find, leaves of Camella sinensis (Green tea)"

The story is wonderful. You have to love green tea. It is so beneficial to us. It is an herb that should be used by all. The literature, research and benefits surpass any herb. I use Green tea in my practice more than any other herb. I have combined it in capsule form with two other 'G' herbs- Ginger and Grapeseed Extract. The amount of EGCG is greater than 400mg of a high percentage of polyphenols. I drink green tea but can never drink the amount that is cited in the review I wrote. One would have to consume greater than 24 cups of green tea, which I find impossible in America. Possibly in China, India and Japan this is possible. So I drink a few cups and take G-force (http://www.longevitynutritionals.com/ )

Sitting in the audience listening to the panel which included Mark Blumenthal, Norwood Pratt and others was another dream. Beyond my wildest dreams...Mr Pratt is the leading authority on tea and tea lore.

So, discover TEA. Not Lipton, nor Earl Grey but real Tea--Green, White, Black, Oolong, Peony, and all herbal teas (stinging nettles, juniper, meadowsweet)

Chalu of Cai Xiang (1012 -1067) said this...

The essence of the enjoyment of tea lies in the appreciation of its color, fragrance, and flavor, and the principles of preparation are refinement, dryness and cleanliness."

Until tomorrow...

It's A Green Day

March 17, 2010

"Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive injury."

Since it is my Green Day, I want to talk about a well known supplement Green Tea, also known as Camellia sinensis. Did you know that tea is consumed only second to water for enjoyment and for health. There are numerous articles to support the benefits of green tea for a variety of cancers, as well as autoimmune diseases. There are four varieties of tea that have these antioxidant properties- green, black, oolongand white. America now consumes more green tea but it is basically consumed in China, Japan and some countries in the Middle East. What is it about green tea that makes it so beneficial? It is the letters EGCC, one of the four major flavinoids in the tea and the most effective. There are studies to support green tea consumption to help atherosclerosis. One study documented that the incidence is 36% less in people who consume green tea. However when you review the studies and publish your own paper as I have, the amount of consumption to get this benefit is high. One would have to consume 30-40 cups of green tea per day. Unless you are bathroom-bound, I do think this is practical. There is a study that stated after observing those who do and those who do not consume green tea that one cup of green reduces total cholesterol. In 2004, at the Scientific Sessions, a paper was presented using green tea for severe cardiac arrhythmia.

The variety of cancers that green tea has been used for varies from bladder to breast. There are also studies on its use in colo-rectal, esophageal, lung and bone cancer. You must remember that any HERB IS A DRUG. Please consult with your doctor about using herbs especially if you are on any medication.

Eliot Cowan wrote a book entitled Plant Spirit Medicine, which I highly recommend. I have become immersed in the world of herbal reading.

The needlepoint above has some green in it - so I am lucky. It is of a Monarch Butterfly. It is the best known of the North American Butterflies. It is sometimes called the Milkweed Butterfly. In the summer while sitting on the porch of the Doctor's House, the "Butterfly Bush" attracts many of these beauties.

Until tomorrow