Relaxation Tea

RELAXATION TEA

                Our crew works hard and with diligence to produce beautiful and potent herbs.  In addition to processing various quantitiesof herbs, we sell two tea blends; A Rejuvenation blend and the Green MountainTulsi.  Both teas highlight wonderfulmedicinal qualities of the herbs they contain and are delicious beverages.  We are now working on a third tea blend, arelaxation tea that may attain the same success as the two existing teas.  Many members of society today suffer from thesame ills and reach for a “quick fix” to amend them.  The list of big hitters such as insomnia,stress, digestive issues, anxiety and depression goes on and on.  Perhaps writing to the few who are readingthis is preaching to the choir about adjusting diet and lifestyle to alleviatethese issues, but it can’t hurt… right?

                Now don’tget me wrong, the relaxation blend is not on course to put Celestial SeasoningsSleepytime tea (and the well known bear in a rocking chair) out of business;  but it is tasty and who knows, maybe we willgive him a run for his money.  The blendof meadowsweet, lemonbalm, roses, and oats is relaxing and is a lovelyafter-meal drink.  A friend of mineprepared himself a glass after the first day of classes at UVM, he relayed tome that he prepared the tea feeling stressed and uptight after a long day ofclasses, transitioning from summer-mode into school and work mode.  After drinking the tea (which no-joke heasked for more of) he felt relaxed, happy, and much more at ease about hissituation.

                Sofriends, keep your eyes out for a new tea blend! As we perfect the formula, youtoo can add a new flavor to your tea collection.

(above: relaxation tea blend photographed with some local honey! mmm)

Garlic! Allium Sativum

       Our Hardneck German White garlic has been harvested, cured, cleaned, and is ready for sale.  this precocious plant is a force to be reckoned with, not just as a culinary ally.  Cooking with the beautiful bulb ads robust flavor to many meals, yet is also a health booster.  Garlic has been used orally as an antioxidant; to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides; to reduce hardening of the arteries and blood clotting; to reduce blood pressure; to prevent cancer; to protect the liver; as an antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal; to increase the effects of the immune system; to reduce blood sugar levels; and to reduce menstrual pain. Garlic has also been used topically (on the skin) to treat corns, warts, calluses, ear infections, muscle pain, nerve pain, arthritis, and sciatica.

     Garlic contains many active constituents, including volatile oil with sulphur-containing compounds (allicin, alliin, and ajoene), enzymes (allinase, peroxidase and myrosinase), glucokinins, B group vitamins,vitamin C and flavonoids, citral, geraniol, linalool, aphellandrene and B phellandrene. Garlic also contains a wide range of trace minerals. These include copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, germanium, andselenium. The key therapeutic ingredient in garlic is alliin. Alliin is an odorless sulfur-containing chemical derived from the amino acid cysteine. Allicin is formed when alliin, a sulfur-containing amino acid, comes into contact with the enzyme alliinase when raw garlic is chopped, crushed, or chewed. Allicin is what gives garlic its antibiotic properties and is responsible for its strong odor. Allicin is said to be stronger than penicillin and tetracycline, and microbes do not mutate when repeatedly exposed to garlic. Allicin is further broken down to a compound called ajoene. Ajoene contributes to the anticoagulant action of garlic. It may be the substance that inhibits blockage in blood vessels from clots and atherosclerosis.

      

     When taking garlic, the fresh clove is the most effective way to ingest high levels of Allicin, Alliin, and Ajoene.  There are however other ways to take in the product such as by capsule, tincture or oil.  Yet with all options beware, large intakes of garlic may result in stinky garlic sweats.