http://www.care2.com/greenliving/bedtime-tea-ritual.html
Bedtime Tea Ritual
By Sandra Ramani, Organic Spa
Before settling in for their Himalayan bath therapies and herbal poultice massages, guests of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Chi Spas are asked to sit down and have a sip. From their property in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, to the newly opened outpost in Vancouver, Canada, the Tibetan-inspired brand begins all services with an in-suite tea ceremony, during which an aromatic house blend is served to clients in a jade bowl placed on a silver-plated copper stand, the presentation a nod to the way the high lamas took tea in the legend of Shangri-La. “In Asian culture, tea drinking celebrates the ideals of peace, sharing, and simplicity when offered as a welcome gesture,” explains Sheila McCann, Shangri-La’s Director of Spa Brand Quality, “and it also provides a wonderful opportunity to sit back and allow the tension of the day to slip away.”
While you may not be able to indulge in pre-bedtime massages every day, this simple relaxation ritual is something that can easily be translated from the spa to the home. We’re not talking about a chatty tea klatch with friends or a cup of chai on the go; instead, taking just a few minutes to be present in that simple ritual, the rhythmic cycle of pour, sip, repeat, will allow you mental space to reflect on the day and clear the mind before sleep. We asked British tea expert Jane Pettigrew, author of such books as A Social History of Tea and The New Tea Companion, for her tips on the best brews for bedtime relaxation, and what to avoid.
Know Your Terms
As a brief reminder, Pettigrew points out that the word “tea” should only be applied to “infusions made from the leaves and leaf buds of the tea plant, or camellia sinensis. Brews made just from herbs like chamomile, verbena, and mint are not strictly speaking teas, but herbal infusions or tisanes.” Each drink has its own benefits and side effects; for the most part, though, all infusions and tisanes are caffeine-free.
Choose Wisely
When it comes to soothing pure teas, Pettigrew recommends “white, jasmine-flavored or fragrant Taiwanese oolongs, because although there is caffeine in all teas, these varieties don’t seem to have the same sort of punchy power as the black and some green. White or green leaves with rose or lavender are also particularly relaxing, though Pettigrew favors jasmine and oolongs because their “heavenly fragrance and flavor just make you want to close your eyes, tip back your head and savor every sip.”
Herbal Heaven
Being caffeine-free, “most herbals are good at bedtime,” Pettigrew confirms. “Calming chamomile, with its slightly apple-y, hot-buttered-toast and honey characteristics, seems to wrap you up in a childhood sense of security and safety.” Also good before sleeping, fennel helps relax the muscles and settle the digestion, while lemon verbena, peppermint, and valerian can help encourage a restful night.
What to Skip
“Avoid strong black teas and the more robust green teas,” Pettigrew warns, since both “can deliver quite a strong dose of caffeine.” Some herbals can invigorate the system in the evening, too, so pass on anything with yerba mate (a common caffeine substitute), nettle, Ginkgo, and ginger.
Organic Spa Magazine is a national consumer lifestyle magazine about bringing spa wisdom into the modern green lifestyle. For a free digital subscription, click here.
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57 comments
add your comment »Celestial Seasonings "Sleepy Time" tea works for me :-) Thank you.
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@Alfred D, cool story. Thank you for sharing that. You draw vivid pictures
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If you are adding honey, remember that unheated honey has many medical and nutritional benefits.... whereas honey raised above 100 causes sticky blood, loses its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, etc.....
So....
just use the finger test. If it is hot enough to burn your finger, it is too hot to add honey. That's it. Let nature's gifts do you maximum good with a single cup, by doing it as masters do it, right?
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I love white tea at bedtime...
Alfred, I lived and worked in Israel for one year in 1999-2000 and drank lots of mint tea there... Most of the mint leaves I collected myself. :)
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I have recently started drying my own tea leaves. It is so cool and a lot cheaper. Thank you for reminding us to take a little me time.
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Herbal and white teas are absolutely wonderful. Reminds me, I really need to start drinking more tea.... I've been neglecting the kettle for too long. Hmm.
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i love this drink
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Tea is my FAVORIT DRINK !. its Wonderfull. i drink it at everytime and everywhere iam. When someone visit us the first thing after the visiter stay is do you want to have some tea or coffee. in my family its a must to drinking tea. cause all of us everybody like it. some times when i am tired i drink a cup and than i feel me very well. or when i am sick drink some tea with lemon and after its wonderfull. i feel me peaceful and dont need anything also in stress situations its very good. i tell everybody have you stress drink a cup of tea , you will feel you better. I cant think a day of me without TEA ! i like it.
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I prepare myself a tea made of vervain and mint, add one teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon. Delicious and the vervain helps to sleep nicely.
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Camomile tea helps me sleep and calms me down when stressed. This is a good article, thanks!
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