The Secret Healing Powers of Tea

HISTORY OF TEA

Tea has been enjoyed in China for a millenia. Tea is a cure for a variety of illness. The nobility drank tea as a mark for their status, and common people drank tea because they simply enjoyed its flavor.

Tea was discovered in China by Shennong, In 2737, BCE. It is said that the emperor liked his water boiled, so that his water would be clean. One day, the emperor and his servant were traveling, and the servant began to boil water for the emperor for him to drink, and a dead leaf from a wild bush fell into the boiling water, and turned the water a brownish color, but it was not unnoticed, and the emperor drank it anyway and he found it very refreshing, and cha (tea) come into being.

During the 1660’s King Charles the II drank tea and during the 19th Century, “afternoon tea” become extremely popular in England. And the popularity of drinking tea became known throughout the world.

TEA FOR STRESS RELIEF

When you are stressed, drink a nice warm cup of tea, it can make you feel very relaxed and calm.

According to the American Psychological Association, 44% of Americans experience stress. Your Stress may increase due to concerns about money, work, and the economy. Stress can trigger your body that causes automatic response within your body to an external stimulus that reminds you of an event in your past that causes your body to respond in a “fight or flight” manner. A hormone is released into your blood, which may cause your blood pressure to rise. This is what happens to a person with “White Coat Hypertension”.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF STRESS?

.Dizziness or a general feeling of “being out of it”.

· General aches and pains?

· Grinding teeth, clenching jaw.

· Headaches

· Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms

· Muscle tension in neck, face, or shoulders

· Problems sleeping.

HOW YOUR BODY RESPOND TO STRESS?

The pituitary gland, in the brain, produces an adrenocortical hormone that triggers the adrenal gland to release cortisol. Cortisol is a primary stress home, that increases sugar in the blood, enhances your brain's use of glucose. Increases the available substance that repairs tissues.

The Adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney. Cortisol responses to stress or danger. This is known as the “fight or flight” response.

Adrenaline is a hormone that is released during stress. It increases:

· Heart Rate

· Elevates your blood pressure.

· Boost energy supply.

IS IT GOOD STRESS OR BAD STRESS

How to know what good stress and bad stress is. Good stress is called “Eustress”, which is the most common type of stress. Eustress is short-term with life changes in hormone levels in the body. The other type of stress is called “Distress”. Distress is the long-term is acute and chronic. Acute stress is episodic stress that is caused by an event like the loss of a family member or the breakup of a relationship. Chronic stress is toxic stress that is often a long-lasting and damaging kind of stress. This type of stress is caused by physical or emotional abuse.

JUST BREATH

Everyone has a different stress response, sometimes you can feel a tightness in your body. This tightness maybe your shoulders and neck, or you may get a headache. Sometimes you already know that a situation will be stressful for you. And you “brace” yourself for this event.

Now, let us take a moment, when you “brace” yourself for the life experience that does not give you’re a pleasant feeling, you “hold your breath”, reducing the flow of oxygen in your body.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi means “breath” or “air”. Qi circulates throughout your body, nourishing your organs and giving them vital energy to function. When you stop the flow of oxygen to create stagnation of blood within your body that will create an imbalance in your inner landscape.

In the fight or flight response in the body, the sympathetic nervous system releases the hormone from your adrenal gland. The hormones released are catecholamine that is adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Stress can affect your body, feelings, and behavior. The effects stress can have on your body are

• Headache,

• Muscle tension,

• Chest pain,

• Fatigue,

• Stomach upset,

• Problems sleeping.

If you are feeling anxious, restless, lack motivation, sad, depressed, or anger this can be due to stress. Take 3 deep breaths and visualize yourself in a peaceful place. This exercise will increase the feeling of relaxation

HEALING POWER OF TEA

Tea has many healing properties for the human body. The most well-known tea that relaxes you is Chamomile Tea. Many people drink this tea when before retiring to bed. It makes you feel so relaxed and helps you to easily fall asleep.

There are two other teas, that help to you reduce your stress levels. They are Ashwagandha and Holy Basil (Tulsi) teas.

Ashwagandha is also called “Indian Ginseng” is a small evergreen shrub that grows in India. For thousands of years, ashwagandha has been used for medicinal purposes.

The benefits of Ashwagandha are:

· Helps fights depression.

· Reduces anxiety.

· Relieves pain.

· Helps with skin conditions.

· Relives arthritis pain.

Holy Basil is also called “Tulsi”. According to the National Institute of Health, Marc Maurice Cohen states that “Tulsi protects organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants. These are other benefits of Holy Basil tea.

The benefits of Holy Basil (Tulsi) are:

· Lowers elevated cortisol.

· Regulates blood sugar.

· Increases physical and mental endurance.

· Reduces stress and anxiety.

HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE REDUCE YOUR STRESS

Acupuncture is an ancient healing method that is over 2000 years old. Acupuncture can reduce your stress by inserting needles into a specific location on the body. When the needle is inserted into this location, a neuro impulse is sent to the brain that sends a signal to release a hormone in your body that increases endorphins that cause you to feel relaxed, and your pain threshold is increased, causing you to feel less pain.

YIN TANG

“Yin Tang” is an extra point that acupuncture will stimulate to increase your feeling of relaxation. Yin tang is located between your eyebrows, and at the top of the bridge of the nose. And when this point is stimulated you may feel so relaxed that you will fall asleep during your treatment.

If you would like to learn more about acupuncture or other healing methods feel free to contact the Kicotan Acupuncture & Holistic Healing at www. kicotanacupunctureholistichealing.com or email: guadalupekicotan@gmail.com