I haven't been a tea drinker for many years, due primarily to an unfortunate kidney stone several years ago, but I have recently started back.  I am still getting my daily dose of water... 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight, but we won't discuss amounts here, so I'm not too worried about getting another at this point.

I have recently discovered green tea and its many benefits.  I have actually been looking more for the negative on it as there are so many studies available that have showed its positives.  While there are some negatives, they are few and far outweighed by the positives in my opinion. 

Green tea is the same tea leaf as oolong or black tea; they just differ in their processing.  Green tea is unfermented and in the more natural state having only been dried.  Oolong and black tea have been either partially (oolong) or completely (black) fermented or oxidized.  The green tea contains the highest level of polyphenols of the three tea varieties.  Polyphenols are chemicals with superior antioxidant properties more powerful than either vitamins C or E.

In multiple studies green tea has been shown to decrease incidences of atherosclerosis, specific to coronary artery disease, decrease cholesterol while increasing HDL, decrease stroke, cancer, and liver disorders.  It can assist in regulating blood glucose levels in Type-1 Diabetes.   Weight loss can be stimulated by green tea.  It increases the metabolism and can aid in burning fat.  Many associate these functions with the caffiene, theobromine, or theophylline that is also found in green tea, but the effects have been studied, and have been shown to be beyond what these chemicals can do.  There are  about 30mg of caffiene per cup of green tea.

Science aside, the recipe that I have been using to make the green tea formula that I use is based on one from the Bulk Herb Store.  I drink this tea daily for energy and to rebuild my adrenal system that has been shot by several years on the night shift.

My recipe is:

1 cup of Jasmine green tea                                                                                                   

2 tablespoons of St John's Wort

2 tablespoons of ginkgo leaf

2 tablespoons of Siberian ginseng

2 tablespoons of blackberry or red raspberry leaves

1/2 cup of licorice root

1/3 cup of peppermint leaves.

I steep these for 5 minutes, covered if possible.  I then add a few drops of stevia or if you have stevia leaves you may mix them into the formula.  I save the tea ball with my leaves and use them for another cup later on.

I like the Jasmine green tea as it is just so pretty to smell and to drink.  It reminds me of fond memories of my youth, also.

I use blackberry leaves instead of red raspberry, but either should be fine.  They are in the same family/genus and have many of the same properties.  I just prefer to gather what is available locally instead of buying it if possible, and we don't have raspberries in Georgia as a rule, but we are eat up with blackberries.

I also use Siberian ginseng over other varieties as I feel that for me it has a better overall function and doesn't give the "rush" that other varieties can give.  It is just milder.  I did once read that ginseng should really be reserved for the elderly, and while I'm not there yet, I can understand this school of thought.  It really does have a way of giving one energy.

So enjoy a cup a tea today...