Natural Health

Natural Health is ways to help our bodies to heal themselves naturally without chemical intervention if at all possible.  Our Father God has create our bodies in such marvelous ways and has give our bodies the ability to heal itself in many ways.  He has given us good, pure foods, clean air and pure water.....originally anyway.  If we can't get these things easily we must work to provide them for ourselves.  The Father has also given us the herbs of the field for our food and medicine.  Many of today's pharmicuticals first started with a natural herb.

Grandma Farmer primarily uses Herbal Teas and Essential Oils.


A Guide to Herbal Teas

In a world full of stress and busy schedules, we welcome the tranquility and simplicity that herbal teas provide. When feeling overwhelmed or overworked, there is nothing that compares to the satisfaction of an aromatic cup of tea. Herbal teas mean comfort and warmth, and taking a moment out of a hectic day to relax and reflect. Aside from the pleasure that teas provide, they are also important medicinal tools. Herbal teas have been consumed for centuries, whether for enjoyment or as treatment for practically every illness or disease that has ever existed. Every part of the plant may be used - the root, bark, stem, leaf, flower, and seed. Because of the number of herbs which exist, discovering all of the herbal teas could very well last you a lifetime. There is a flavor for every palate – sweet, tangy, herbal, and many more. From refreshing to soothing, teas can offer an all natural “pick-me-up” or can completely relax the mind and body. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine free, and for this reason are suitable for drinking at any time of the day. Unlike green or black tea, they may also be consumed by children or by those who cannot consume caffeinated teas. If you are currently not an herbal tea drinker, we implore you to explore the ancient and splendid practice of savoring herbal tea.
The History
It is believed that teas have been used by mankind since prehistoric times, and that they have been a part of every civilization known to man. Historically, teas have been consumed primarily as medicine, but also for enjoyment, and have been used to dye fabrics or yarn, flavor foods or soups, or for aromatic and healing baths. Archeologists believe that teas were used medicinally by prehistoric people, long before written history evolved. Documents have been discovered from Egypt describing the early uses of herbal tea by ancient Egyptians. Greeks and Romans, such as Plato and Pliny, studied and cultivated herbs. They created healing brews and tinctures, using herbs as important medicinal tools. Herbal tea was consumed in Europe before black tea was introduced. Some of the original herbal teas in Europe, such as Peppermint and Chamomile, are still favorites. In colonial America, herbal teas were consumed after the Boston Tea Party, as a form of defiance and patriotism. In addition, we also know that herbal teas have been used by shamans, village doctors, and herbalists all around the world – including Africa, Central and South America, North America, India, Russia, Japan, China, and many other countries.
Herbal Tea for Your Health
The medicinal uses of tea are extensive; they have been used to treat virtually every illness or disease known to mankind. Many teas are utilized for boosting general health and wellness; these may be enjoyed at any time. Others focus on relaxation, building immunity and resistance to illness, treating specific ailments/illnesses, increasing energy and vitality, cleansing and detox, strengthening the organs, memory enhancement, insomnia, circulation, improving digestion, adding nutrients and minerals, stomachaches, headaches, allergies, and an infinite number of other uses. Herbal teas can be used to treat virtually any condition, and many may be consumed simply as a prevention method or as an immune or body strengthener. Herbal teas are truly an important medicinal instrument. The fact that they also taste wonderful makes them even more desirable. After all, when was the last time that you actually enjoyed taking your medicine?


The Benefits of Loose Leaf
We only recommend using teas which are in loose leaf form; we do not advocate the use of pre-made tea bags. The reason being that taste, aroma, and the medicinal effects are compromised by using pre-packaged tea bags. All of the teas sold by Mountain Rose Herbs are in loose leaf form, as we strongly believe in the advantages of using loose leaf teas. The majority of prepackaged teas are made by using very finely cut herbs and “herb dust”. This is the tea at the bottom of the tea barrel; it is sold cheaply because the quality is inferior to loose leaf tea. Furthermore, the small paper bags do not allow for the hot water to flow very well through the tea leaves, further reducing the quality. By purchasing loose leaf tea, you can make sure that the tea you brew is fresh, and of high quality. We recommend using tea brewing utensils which allow for the tea leaves to infuse properly. Mountain Rose Herbs stocks a wide range of tea brewing tools and teapots which will provide you with an exceptional cup of tea. Properly brewing high quality tea results in a more flavorful, aromatic, and healing beverage.
Brewing Instructions:
Straining Tea
There are two different methods for brewing herbal teas – infusions and decoctions. Infusions are teas made from the leaves, flowers, and other light plant materials. Decoctions are brewed from the bark, root, twigs, berries, and seeds. Following are brewing directions for both:
-Tea Infusion- (Infusion = Tea made from leaves, flowers and light material) Put 1-2 teaspoons of herbal tea material into a brewing utensil of your choice and place in a 6-8 oz size cup. Add 6-8 oz of boiling water and allow to steep for up to 3-5 minutes. Increase the quantity of material accordingly if using a teapot. For a more medicinal effect steep 15-30 minutes. Will keep refrigerated for 24 hours.
-Tea Decoction- (Decoction = Tea made from bark, roots, seeds, twigs and berries) Put 1-3 tablespoons of cut herb, seed, root, bark, etc into a pot of 16-32 oz of water and allow to sit in cool water for at least 5-10 minutes. Bring water to a slow boil then turn down to a simmer for 10-30 minutes. The time depends on the strength of tea that you enjoy. Strain and drink. Will keep for approximately 72 hours if kept refrigerated.
Tea Storage
Herbal teas are made from natural plant materials, and are vulnerable to air, light, humidity, and temperature. Some of the best containers are colored glass, kraft bags, foil lined bags, or air-tight canisters. Herbs lose their color and flavor with age, and are very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, moisture, and light. An ideal location is in a dry pantry, cupboard or closet, with a storage temperature of 65-73 degrees. All herbs and spices have a relatively fixed shelf life, and we recommend that you only purchase what you will use within a short period of time. The best guideline to follow is no longer then 8-12 months for spices and leafy herbs, and no longer then 14-16 months for roots, barks and berries.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

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