Tea & Sympathy

Sitting with my girlfriends and enjoying a cup of tea and conversation is perhaps one of the most fulfilling and satisfying experiences for me. It is such a mundane event and yet, one where we can share our deepest emotions, laugh together, live in the moment and in the span of a couple of hours feel connected to, and feel for each other. 

As adults caught up in our fast paced and busy lives - work, home, children, spouse and the mandatory socialising, this slow paced activity of making and sharing tea is relaxing and warming not just for the body, but for the soul.

What is so therapeutic in this seemingly ordinary tea? Companionship, camaraderie, receiving someone's full attention, some empathy, advice and a good laugh! In other words friendship!

As children our life revolves around our friends. And yet as we get older, it gets so easy to be caught up in trying to be responsible adults, working so hard at life, that we forget to nurture our friendships.

Every positive relationship in our life, nourishes and protects our spirit. We are social beings, we need each other and it is important for our emotional, spiritual and physical well being to feel loved, cherished, to be understood, to be heard, to feel valued. 

And there is more to it, when we surround ourselves with friends in a relaxed atmosphere to share a laugh, we relax, the tension leaves our muscles, stress hormones are reduced, immunity is strengthened by producing more infection fighting antibodies, pain is diminished, brain function is enhanced in both sides of the brain and we are protected against heart disease.

A secret to good health! Celebrate your friendships, laugh out aloud and call your friend(s) for some tea and sympathy.

Today I wanted to share two of my favourite herbal tea recipes. A lovely mint tea, which is dairy and caffeine free and great for your digestion.

Fresh Mint Tea

Ingredients

3 cups of fresh water

12-15 fresh mint leaves

Process

Boil the water, let it cool for a minute and pour it into the teapot. Now add the fresh mint leaves to the pot. It needs to steep for a minute before you pour the tea into the cups. Enjoy!

And, a spice tea which packs quite an oomph. Also wonderful for a sore throat!

Spice Tea

Ingredients

2 inch piece of ginger

1 clove

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

3 cups of fresh water

Process

Grate the ginger with its skin, lightly pound on the clove. Boil the water with all 3 spices for a minute and let it steep for a few minutes more. Ready to serve!