Welcome to Mrs Darley's Blog

This blogspot has been created especially for those who wish to share their ideas and thoughts about the natural world as the year turns and the ancient Pagan festivals that were once celebrated by our ancestors.

Poetry, prose craft work, ancient cure craft and general thoughts and feelings on how the change in the weather and seasons makes you feel are all encouraged and welcomed.

Mrs Darley was my once next door neighbour when I lived amongst the wilds of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall back in the early 1990's. Her charismatic ways and unending wisdom lead me on a journey of self discovery as I spiralled ever further into her magical world.

She has since become the central character in the 'Mrs Darley' series of books.

Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers

Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries

Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements

Mrs Darley's Pagan Healing Wisdom






Tuesday, 18 May 2010

The Cup that Revives


Tea, is one of the most popular drinks in the UK and approximately 2,000 cups are consumed annually by the average person. It is the drink we turn to when we need to be uplifted, relaxed or deal with a crisis and most teas have beneficial health properties as long as they are not smothered with copious amounts of milk and sugar.

Black leafed tea (PG tips/Tetley/Typhoo etc) however does contain high levels of caffeine which can make the drink somewhat stimulating, this is great during the day but not too good at night. By contrast green leafed tea contains far less caffeine which makes it a preferable night time drink and has a host of health benefits that connot be ignored. According to research carried out by the Japanese Cancer Research Institute, regular daily consumption of green tea could halt the growth of 87% of skin cancers, 58% of stomach cancers and 56% of lung cancers.

Many people however find green tea a little harsh but this can be combated by drinking one of the many flavoured green teas such as jasmine, alternatively white leafed tea might be more to your taste and it's low in caffeine, although the health benefits are not quite as good as the green variety. You can of course brew your own, especially as many herbs and flowers are now coming into bloom in British gardens. Try the following recipie for a citrusy spicy alternative:

2 Teaspoons loose Green Tea leaves (Gunpowder variety is good but any will do)
Approx 12 leaves lemon balm
3 Cloves

Place tea, lemon balm leaves and cloves in a tea pot and pour on water that has just gone off the boil. Stir and allow to infuse for 5 minutes before pouring.

Lemon balm is gently sedative and yet uplifts, a wonderful herb if you are under stress.It calms palpatations, soothes digestion and is antiviral, whilst the warming spice of clove helps ease pain and fights infection, these combined with the properties of green tea will shine a different light on the cup that revives!

No comments:

Post a Comment