Read The Healing Powers of Honey Online
Authors: Cal Orey
The Healing Powers of Honey (14 page)
UN-BEE-LIEVABLE HEALING HINTS TO CATCH
Honey-related products are becoming more and more popular and are better for your health.Beware of products that boast “includes honey” and note other ingredients, too, and see where honey places on the product label. The closer to first, the better.Honey drinks with vinegar are in demand both in the United States and around the globe, especially in Asian countries.The French paradox exists and makes sense . . . The French people who do indulge in chocolate, nuts, ice cream, and honey in small portions on a regular basis and who get a move on dailyâplus drink antioxidant-rich red wine in moderationâstay healthy and live longer.Both honey and dark chocolate have been found to contain antioxidantsâcompounds linked to increasing heart health, lowering risk of developing cancers, and boosting longevity.Pairing the right chocolate with the right honey in desserts is an art that can be learned for your palate's and health's sake.PART 5
T
EA AND
H
ONEY
EA AND
H
ONEY
CHAPTER 10
Tea(s) with Your Honey
When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray with a cup of fragrant tea steaming on it; and a plate piled with very hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in it in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb.
âKenneth Grahame,
The Wind in the Willows
1
The Wind in the Willows
1
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
After my freewheeling days in sunny Southern California, from the multiple beaches to mountains and the desertâplaces honey bees are foundâI took a trip to Catalina Island, west of Long Beach. The destination was the rustic Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel overlooking Avalon Bay and the quaint town touted for its cosmopolitan feel. Inside the desert gold roomâthe study of the American novelistâwas a sweet treat.
The first morning, I walked down the stairs to the charming swimming pool area overlooking Avalon Bay. I was greeted with a continental breakfast, including fresh apples, bananas, oranges, coffee, and tea. My dream in paradise was disturbed like a bee colony being bothered by an intruder when I couldn't find it: “Where's the honey?” I said out loud to myself. Eating toast and sipping tea without nature's sweetest gift is similar to being served a slice of hot apple pie without vanilla ice cream. But I survived.
These days, at Lake Tahoe, I do get my Mediterranean fix without leaving the sierra. It's the Mediterranean foods, the resort where I swim, and honey, the common sweetener of the Mediterranean diet, that keep me at peace without traveling like a forager. And a cup of tea and honey maintains that Mediterranean feeling....
HONEY (AND TEA), LET'S FALL IN LOVE
For centuries, people all around the world have enjoyed the simple, soothing pleasures of a good cup of tea with a good teaspoon of honey, and nowadays there is more reason to do so. Black and green teas are not only good tasting, especially with honey, but together they pack a punch of nutritional and health benefits.
Herbal teas come from a variety of plants other than the tea plant. They are made from leaves, berries, flowers, fruits, and the bark of herbs and spices. Although most herbal teas do not contain the antioxidant properties of “real” teaâblack, green, oolong, white, and redâpaired with antioxidant-rich honey they do possess a wallop of good-for-you compounds that can enhance your health and well-being.
Another new feature on the Mediterranean diet pyramid is the addition of herbs, like spices, for reasons of both health and taste. Also, herbs contribute to the Mediterranean dishes.
Medical doctors, nutritionists, scientists, and beekeepers are now confirming what healers have been saying since biblical timesâteas and honeys have a variety of healing powers.
SWEET SIPS
Here are my six favorite tea and honey marriagesâbut there are infinite combinations for both you and me to try. There is no right or wrong combination and what's sweet to you makes honey-tea beverages a sweet sip.
1.
Black Tea:
The first tea I was introduced to was basic black teaâwhich does contain caffeineâand I have enjoyed it plain but realized it did need a sweet flavor boost to it. Also, Earl Grey and English breakfast teas (perfect for an Irish breakfast, complete with fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, and scones) are part of the black tea group.
Black Tea:
The first tea I was introduced to was basic black teaâwhich does contain caffeineâand I have enjoyed it plain but realized it did need a sweet flavor boost to it. Also, Earl Grey and English breakfast teas (perfect for an Irish breakfast, complete with fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, and scones) are part of the black tea group.
Best Honey Matches:
Basswood has a distinct flavor that I've used in plain yogurt for a rich flavor and it can give black tea a kick, too. Sourwood boasts a caramel taste that can make a common black tea come to life with taste. Earl Grey teams well with avocado, blueberry, and eucalyptus honeys, too. It's more exotic and exciting than just using a simple all-purpose clover honey that comes without pleasant surprises.
Basswood has a distinct flavor that I've used in plain yogurt for a rich flavor and it can give black tea a kick, too. Sourwood boasts a caramel taste that can make a common black tea come to life with taste. Earl Grey teams well with avocado, blueberry, and eucalyptus honeys, too. It's more exotic and exciting than just using a simple all-purpose clover honey that comes without pleasant surprises.
2.
Green Tea:
Touted for its wide array of health virtues, this Asian tea does contain caffeine, like black tea, but not as much. It's an acquired taste and that's where honey comes into play, so you can get the best of taste and nutritional benefits.
Green Tea:
Touted for its wide array of health virtues, this Asian tea does contain caffeine, like black tea, but not as much. It's an acquired taste and that's where honey comes into play, so you can get the best of taste and nutritional benefits.
Best Honey Matches:
Blueberry honey has a fruity taste that can give a nice kick to green tea, not the most flavorful tea. Sage honey is mild, a California favorite of mine that brings out the best of green tea.
Blueberry honey has a fruity taste that can give a nice kick to green tea, not the most flavorful tea. Sage honey is mild, a California favorite of mine that brings out the best of green tea.
3.
Fruit Tea:
Welcome to lemon, orange, rose hip, and apple teas. These fruity teas are sweet and sometimes tart, which calls for a honey sidekick.
Fruit Tea:
Welcome to lemon, orange, rose hip, and apple teas. These fruity teas are sweet and sometimes tart, which calls for a honey sidekick.
Best Honey Matches:
Mild-flavored honeys such as sage and alfalfa bring out the best in fruit teas because they don't overpower the fruity taste but maintain the integrity of the fruit flavor.
Mild-flavored honeys such as sage and alfalfa bring out the best in fruit teas because they don't overpower the fruity taste but maintain the integrity of the fruit flavor.
4.
Herbal Tea:
Herbal teas come from a variety of plants other than the tea plant. They are made from leaves, berries, flowers, fruits, and the bark of herbs and spices.
Herbal Tea:
Herbal teas come from a variety of plants other than the tea plant. They are made from leaves, berries, flowers, fruits, and the bark of herbs and spices.
Although most herbal teas do not contain the antioxidant properties of “real” tea, they do possess other good-for-you compounds that can enhance your health and well-being. There is a wide range of herbal teas, including ginseng, cinnamon, licorice, and mint.
Rooibos (roy-boss) is the “new” herbal tea on the blockâoften called red tea. Like green and black teas, this tea contains antioxidants that make it heart-healthy and immunity enhancingâand it's caffeine free.
Best Honey Matches:
Earthy and warm herbal teas go well with mild alfalfa, clover, orange blossom, and sage honeysâcommon honeys that complement distinct herbal flavors.
Earthy and warm herbal teas go well with mild alfalfa, clover, orange blossom, and sage honeysâcommon honeys that complement distinct herbal flavors.
5.
Oolong Tea:
This tea, popular in Asian countries, contains the health perks of both black and green teas. A robust-flavored tea that can have a sweet taste lends itself to different honeys.
Oolong Tea:
This tea, popular in Asian countries, contains the health perks of both black and green teas. A robust-flavored tea that can have a sweet taste lends itself to different honeys.
Best Honey Matches:
Oolong, not a tea familiar to me, was easy to try with a friendly California orange blossom honey with its citrusy sweet taste. Another oolong mate is tupelo honey with its light amber color and herbal, fruity flavors.
Oolong, not a tea familiar to me, was easy to try with a friendly California orange blossom honey with its citrusy sweet taste. Another oolong mate is tupelo honey with its light amber color and herbal, fruity flavors.
6.
White Tea:
And last but not least, welcome to this pale tea. Found in China, it is believed to rank number one for its antioxidants. It's a bit sweet and mellow. It's the new tea on the block for tea lovers.
White Tea:
And last but not least, welcome to this pale tea. Found in China, it is believed to rank number one for its antioxidants. It's a bit sweet and mellow. It's the new tea on the block for tea lovers.
Best Honey Matches:
Fireweed honey is light colored and smooth, like white teaâthe two complement each other. Wildflower, one of my favorite mild honeys, also goes nicely with white tea.
Fireweed honey is light colored and smooth, like white teaâthe two complement each other. Wildflower, one of my favorite mild honeys, also goes nicely with white tea.
As a devout tea drinker, I believe your choice of honey and tea is a personal oneâlike pairing dark chocolate with different fruits, herbs, and spices. The selection also depends on the season to your mood. But popular and friendly honeys, such as clover and orange blossom, are suitable anytime, anyplace, because they are not too strong and will not overpower teasâall typesâand you can't go wrong for yourself or if you're serving other people.
TRAVELS WITH HONEY (AND TEAS)
Tea and honey have played a starring role in my life, decade after decade....
In my twenties:
I recall in Hollywood, California, I was a carefree unpublished author. My best friend and I would frequent a popular hotel/coffee shop on Sunset Boulevard and order spicy cinnamon tea and pair it with honey while we waited for our tossed green salads and to be discovered.
I recall in Hollywood, California, I was a carefree unpublished author. My best friend and I would frequent a popular hotel/coffee shop on Sunset Boulevard and order spicy cinnamon tea and pair it with honey while we waited for our tossed green salads and to be discovered.
In my thirties:
In San Francisco, as a penniless graduate student, after class and on-spec writing assignments I'd visit my dentist in the Financial District. Tea was offered in the waiting room. I'd sip orange pekoe with a bit of honey to calm dental jitters until I was called into the dental chair.
In San Francisco, as a penniless graduate student, after class and on-spec writing assignments I'd visit my dentist in the Financial District. Tea was offered in the waiting room. I'd sip orange pekoe with a bit of honey to calm dental jitters until I was called into the dental chair.
In my forties:
During this passage of my life, I was a busy magazine journalist. Black tea with its caffeine content was the drink of choice as I met deadline after deadline. Also, in between writing, looking for Mr. Soul Mate was on my plate during tea-and-honey blind dates. The tea kept me centered and coming home to my best friend: my loyal Labrador.
During this passage of my life, I was a busy magazine journalist. Black tea with its caffeine content was the drink of choice as I met deadline after deadline. Also, in between writing, looking for Mr. Soul Mate was on my plate during tea-and-honey blind dates. The tea kept me centered and coming home to my best friend: my loyal Labrador.
In my fifties:
I live as a solo author-intuitive in the sierra, chamomile tea and honey my trusty companions. In the summer it's citrus tea with sage honey; in the fall it's herbal tea and alfalfa tea; in the winter it's black and green tea with orange blossom honey; in the spring it's fruit teas and clover honey.
I live as a solo author-intuitive in the sierra, chamomile tea and honey my trusty companions. In the summer it's citrus tea with sage honey; in the fall it's herbal tea and alfalfa tea; in the winter it's black and green tea with orange blossom honey; in the spring it's fruit teas and clover honey.
As I look back on the years of tea and honey, it's clear that this beverage has brought me comfort. Several years ago, before I penned the book
The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes: Jim Berkland, Maverick Geologist
(Boulder, CO: Sentient Publications, 2006), the natureloving scientist paid me a visit at my cabin at Lake Tahoe. For five hours we chatted about his past and present earthquake predictions. In between bites of cheese, French bread, and cheesecake and sips of chamomile tea, we discussed what was shaking around the nation. Like old friends, Jim and I discussed fault lines we had experienced. Today, if I served these foods I'd give them a worldly twist with honey varietals in my pantry. I'd provide avocado honey for the cheese and French bread. The cheesecake would be drizzled with a blueberry or lemon honey, and for the calming chamomile? I'd offer a cinnamon and clove tea or orange blossom from California. The potpourri of honeys would have added an earthy sophistication to the European-style buffet I created for the man who predicts quakes and taught me how to tune in to my intuition and do it, too. Thank goodness for tea and honeyâthe two friends that have kept me company, and calm and skinny, throughout the years.
The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes: Jim Berkland, Maverick Geologist
(Boulder, CO: Sentient Publications, 2006), the natureloving scientist paid me a visit at my cabin at Lake Tahoe. For five hours we chatted about his past and present earthquake predictions. In between bites of cheese, French bread, and cheesecake and sips of chamomile tea, we discussed what was shaking around the nation. Like old friends, Jim and I discussed fault lines we had experienced. Today, if I served these foods I'd give them a worldly twist with honey varietals in my pantry. I'd provide avocado honey for the cheese and French bread. The cheesecake would be drizzled with a blueberry or lemon honey, and for the calming chamomile? I'd offer a cinnamon and clove tea or orange blossom from California. The potpourri of honeys would have added an earthy sophistication to the European-style buffet I created for the man who predicts quakes and taught me how to tune in to my intuition and do it, too. Thank goodness for tea and honeyâthe two friends that have kept me company, and calm and skinny, throughout the years.
HOW TEETOTALERS STAY SLIM
Spa nutritionists will tell you that drinking a soothing hot beverage is similar to having a hot cup of soup before a meal. It satisfies your appetite and you'll eat less. A hot liquid can fill you up, not out.
Herbal teas with honey are caffeine free, unlike black and green tea, coffee, and soda. If you max out on caffeinated beverages it can cause your blood sugar to spike and plummet like an amusement park ride, leaving you feeling tired and cranky or likely to reach for more caffeine or junk food to get another quick pick-me-up. This does not happen with soothing teas.
Some of the best skinny teas work to help women and men get and stay slim because they contain herbs, including marshmallow root, dandelion, and parsley, that can help stimulate water loss and/or beat bloat. Then, if you turn to the weight loss tea superstarâgreen tea, a known fat fighterâyou'll be on the path to real weight loss.
Not only can drinking teas help you to lose water weight, but the soothing beverage can also calm and uplift your spirits. This connection between destressing and teas is another slim-down perk that is used at health spas around the world and by the rich and famous. Tea breaks give you a minivacation to replenish your body, mind, and spirit. Here, take a look at this recipe, straight from a chef who knows spa food and spa teas.
Rosehip and Cranberry Tea
2 cups water
1 ½ cups cranberry juice
1 clove
2 rose hip tea bags, or
2 rose hip-blend tea
bags
2 tablespoons clover
honey
2 orange slices for
garnish
1 ½ cups cranberry juice
1 clove
2 rose hip tea bags, or
2 rose hip-blend tea
bags
2 tablespoons clover
honey
2 orange slices for
garnish
Combine the water, cranberry juice, and clove in a medium-size pot set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
Using a spoon, remove the clove from the cranberry juice. Place the rose hip tea bags into a warmed teapot, pour in the hot cranberry-water mixture, stir in the honey, and steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Pour into mugs, garnish with orange slices and serve.
(
Source:
Reprinted with permission from
The Golden Door Cooks Light & Easy,
by Chef Michel Stroot, published by Gibbs Smith © 2003.)
Source:
Reprinted with permission from
The Golden Door Cooks Light & Easy,
by Chef Michel Stroot, published by Gibbs Smith © 2003.)
Speaking of tea and good health, in part 6: “Honey Cures” you'll get a taste of how honey and teaming different types are the natural path to tending to annoying and chronic health ailments, including allergies, colds, sore throats, and so much more.
UN-BEE-LIEVABLE HEALING HINTS TO CATCH
Medical doctors and scientists are now confirming what herbalists have known for yearsâtea and honey have a variety of healing powers.Throughout history, ancient cultures have used herbs and honeys to stay healthy and live longer.Antioxidant-rich “real” teas, including black, green, oolong, and red, paired with darker honeys provide extra healing properties.Tea and honey pairing is a personal preference, but there are matches that are popular, including black tea: basswood, clover; green tea: sage; fruit tea: sage, alfalfa; herbal tea: clover, orange blossom; oolong tea: orange blossom, tupelo; white tea: wildflower.Other books
Everything Was Good-Bye by Gurjinder Basran
Novel Experience (Sara Miles) by Quinn, Dacia
Commodity by Shay Savage
Expecting Him by Corrine, Scarlet
The Lives of Rocks by Rick Bass
To Wed A Rebel by Sophie Dash
Lucy and the Doctors by Ava Sinclair
Passion's Prey: The Shadow Shifters by Arthur, A.C.
Stay by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Denial by Jessica Stern