tea steeping guide

tea leaf readings

Tea Leaf Readings.


Tea readings require 2 elements: a question and an answer. The querent (the person receiving the reading) drinks the cup in tea leaving tea leaves at the bottom of the cup. The cup is handed over to the reader who interprets the meanings of symbols formed by the leaves.

Tea leaf readings consist of loose tea, hot water, white or light colored tea cup, saucer, and napkin.

A teaspoon of loose tea leaves are placed inside the cup where hot water is gently poured over the leaves to steep.

While the tea is seeping, the querent holds the cup in the palms of her hands. At this time, the querent should be focusing her thoughts on the question. The question can be stated out loud, or kept private.

When the tea is no longer hot, but warm or luke-warm, the tea is to be prepared where a small amount of water is left at the bottom of the cup.

The cup is then passed over to the reader. The reader gently swirls the liquid in circles inside the cup, allowing the tea leaves to stick to the sides (insides) of the tea cup.

A napkin is placed on the saucer and the cup is turned upside down onto the saucer. After a couple of minutes, the cup is returned to its upright position.

The reader now looks inside the cup and begins to interpret any symbols ( dots, circles, triangles, squares, animals, objects, numbers, letters) formed by the tea leaves.

Symbol meanings are interpreted differently depending on the "feeling" the reader gets when seeing them. Numbers for example, can indicate days, weeks, months or even years. Letters can represent clues to a person's name or place and a circle could indicate the end of a cycle.

tea infused beverages

Use white teas, fruit infusions, or other teas mixed with a sparkling beverage and some sweetener to taste. Make an exotic punch bowl for a party or add some liquor and make an awesome cocktail or two. Take it a step further and garnish with some fresh fruit.

Lemongrass Gin & Tonic

1 table spoon Lemongrass & ½ tablespoon mint stepped in 1/3 cup water for 5 minutes

1 ½ ounces of Gin

4 ounces of Tonic

½ ounce Simple Syrup

Directions: Mix. Add ice.

tea lattes

Tea lattes can be made in a variety of ways. The base for a tea latte is ¾ concentrated tea, ¼ hot or steamed milk, and a pinch of sweetener (if preferred).

Some popular teas to use are; Black teas such as Earl Gray and Chai, Green teas such as Matcha, Rooibos blends, Yerba Mate, and so on. Vanilla, almond, and maple syrup make good sweeteners.

herbals

HERBALS:
Steep 5 minutes (boiling)

General: Commonly referred to as “herbal tea” but to be accurate, that which comes only from the Camellia Sinensis plant is called “tea.” When an herb undergoes a steeping process it is called an infusion or tisane. Herbals come from a large variety of different plants, dried herbs, leaves, flowers, roots, berries, fruits, and essential oils; Rooibos, ginger, chamomile, mint, lavender are most commonly used. Herbals are caffeine free, contain no artificial ingredients, are full of antioxidants and can mix well with other ingredients. Tisanes have a huge range in flavors (sweet to medicinal), aroma, and health benefits.

Herbal Descriptions:

Lavender: An herbal plant known to be beneficial to the nervous system which relaxes and soothes the mind and body

Lemongrass: An aromatic, tropical plant that has great medicinal value and is recommended for stomach, flu like symptoms such as: diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, and headaches. It is also said that it can lower cholesterol.

Spearmint: Refreshing notes known to benefit those with sore throats, nausea, and indigestion.

Peppermint: Menthol which helps those with cold or flu like symptoms and takes the edge off of bad breath. Also said to control mild asthma and stress.

Ginger: Fights common respiratory problems, combats motion sickness, stomach and menstrual discomfort. Also, encourages normal blood circulation.

Lemon: Gives you healthier skin, strengthens digestive health, cleanses the blood, and works as an antiseptic with antiviral and antibacterial characteristics.

Licorice Root: Eases coughs and protects stomach tissue. Also has a diuretic effect and is used as an anti-allergenic.

Fennel: Combats constipation, cramping, and bloating.

Echinacea: Shortens time span of colds, enhances immunity, relieves urinary tract infections, and soothes swollen glands.

Gingko Leaf: Found to lower cholesterol and aids in blood circulation. Japanese scientists believe that gingko leaves are the best natural product to guard against and weaken the influence of radiation to the human body.

Rose: Rich in vitamin C, D, E, and K. Also contains pectin, citric, and maltic acid. Fights infections, removes toxins from the body, and is reputed for curing insomnia and depression. For women, it is an excellent remedy for irregular periods, infertility, and fatigue.

Shavatari: An ayurvedic rejuvenation female tonic for overall health and vitality.

Chamomile: Helps with insomnia, sleep disorders, relieving stomach discomfort, and anxiety. Known for its calming effects internally and externally.

Chrysanthemum Blossom: Contains ascorbic acid, beta carotene, camphor, calcium, choline, fiber, folacin, iron, magnesium, niacin, potassium, riboflavin, and essential oils. The blossoms have antibiotic, anti inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Also known to act as a detoxifying and relaxing agent.

Hibiscus: Used as a diuretic which helps expel toxins, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, treats the liver,  and is known to aid in weight loss because it inhibits the body from absorbing too many carbohydrates. Also known to strengthen the immune system because its packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.

Kava Root: Relieves and fights anxiety and stress. Improves activity and awareness. Enables muscle relaxation by reducing convulsions.

rooibos skin benefits

Rooibos has many skin benefits that improve the health of your skin which enhances your natural beauty and is traditionally used in South African medicine and was once given to malnourished babies for nutrition. Rooibos is claimed to treat skin problems such as acne, eczema, sunburns, itchy rashes, allergic reactions, and other general irritations. To create a simple rooibos skin toner; steep a pot of concentrated rooibos, set aside to let cool, and fill cool concentrate in chosen spray bottle. This can also be used as a cooling spritz. Also, add a few tea bags to your hot bath for a skin calming experience.

rooibos

ROOIBOS:
Steep 5 minutes (boiling)

General: Rooibos, or red bush, originates in South Africa. Its scientific name is Aspalathus Linearis and is a member of the Legume family of plants. Because rooibos is an herbal infusion, it contains no caffeine, no stimulants, and no tannins. This tea is filled with many B vitamins, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and potassium. Thus, it is good for depression, cramps, stomach aches, headaches, anxiety, irritability, and trouble sleeping. Rooibos also contains Aspalathin, a flavinoid present in medicinal herbs used to treat skin and circulatory disorders. The leaves of the bush are harvested, bruised, finely chopped, moistened and left to oxidize in rolls or mounds. The oxidization process enriches the flavor and gives the tea leaves their distinctive red color (the bush is originally green). After oxidization, the leaf is spread out to dry in the sun. There are varieties of rooibos tea that are in their natural un-oxidized state.

Green Rooibos (Green Bush): 

Processed similarly to Green tea, so as to stop the oxidation that would lead to its turning into red rooibos. Because the process used to make red rooibos is very simple, and the process used in making green rooibos is more complex, green rooibos tends to be more expensive than red. Green rooibos has a light color and an aroma that is often described as being "fresher" than red rooibos. Green rooibos is frequently promoted as having more antioxidants than red rooibos. While the antioxidant activity of rooibos is well established, there is not enough evidence to back the claim that green rooibos has more antioxidants.