Celebrate January with a spot of tea

Call it old fashioned, but having a spot of tea in the afternoon — especially in the depths of winter — is not only a great way to relax and warm up, but it can give you a little energy boost while offering plenty of medicinal benefits.

January is National Hot Tea Month and though most have already made New Year's resolutions, if the one you picked isn't working out so well, how about trying to incorporate tea into your diet? The potential benefits of adding tea can increase the body's immunity to colds and flu — especially helpful this time of year.

Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin, and research shows that high dietary intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. In one study, people who drank about a cup and a half of tea per day were almost 40 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to tea abstainers.

"There are some great teas out there that can help a number of conditions," said Deborah Drumm, local board certified psychiatric advanced practice nurse and clinical herbalist who has a private behavioral medicine practice — Advanced Behavioral Counseling of Northern New Jersey, LLC — at Manor Professional Building in Newton-Sparta Road. "An age-old remedy for a cold and flu is drinking tea. Any tea will open sinuses and ease the pain of a sore throat merely because it is a hot liquid. Herbs have properties that ease the symptoms of a cold. They also bolster the immune system and help to prevent one from getting a cold in the first place."

For example, tea made from Echinacea works like an antibiotic. Stillwater resident, Drumm describes Echinacea — or also called purple coneflower — "a beautiful daisy-like purple flower with a large button-like center."

"It does a good job in preventing colds, but also lessens the intensity of a cold once takes hold," Drumm said. "The body tends to get used to Echinacea, so drinking it consistently will not help immunity. Instead drinking it once a day for two weeks straight then stop for two weeks. This will allow the body to get that immunity boost from the tea."

Many have heard of Green tea more and more over the past few years for it's ability to prevent all kinds of common ailments. Studies suggest it might even be good to prevent cancer.

"Green tea has antioxidant properties meaning it relieves the body of toxins," Drumm said. "A study done in 1995 identified two active ingredients in green tea called EGCG and ECG. Both keep the influenza virus from penetrating the system. It is unclear as to how much green tea prevents colds but a cup or two a day will not hurt."

A relative of Green tea, White tea can also prevent the cold. A study at Pace University used white tea extract and inhibited all types of infections.

"Ginger tea with honey added for sweetness is good for any occasion," said Drumm of this combination, which can boost the immune system. "Ginger is good for many things including digestion, but it makes one feel warm and can sweat out a fever. It is an antiviral that breaks up congestion and thins out mucus. Make ginger tea by using fresh ginger root. Cut off a one-inch piece and remove the hard skin. Crush it and put it in the bottom of a teapot. Add about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and sweeten with honey."

Ginger tea is available in most stores.

Once the cold is in full force, Drumm advises gargling with Sage tea. "Use about one teaspoon Sage in 1 cup boiled water. Steep covered for until cool and gargle every hour or so to relieve a sore throat."

Catnip (or catmint) tea will induce a sweat to get rid of a fever, and combining it with Chamomile tea will make it a little tastier. "Use a tablespoon of the herb to 1 cup of water and add a half tablespoon of chamomile if desired," Drumm added.

Elderberry tea is an antiviral and will get rid of a virus in record time. If taken with the first signs of a cold, it will shorten the length of the virus.

"The part of the elderberry used to make the healing tea is the flower. This tea is readily available at most health food stores. Some people find they are allergic to elderberry flowers. If any affects of swelling in the throat or a rash appears consult a doctor immediately. This is true with all herbal remedy," Drumm said.

Finally, if restless nights are a problem, Drumm suggests mimosa, linden flower, catnip, rose hip or holy basil teas.

Pharmacist Jackie Kaufman, who also hails from the Newton area, is an avid tea lover.

"Look East — as in towards the Orient — to see the benefits of tea," said Kaufman. "It's part of their secret of longevity. Orientals have great looking skin, less stress-related health issues (high blood pressure, etc.) and a long life span. There are more varieties of tea in China than there are wine grape varieties in France, but with tea, there is only one plant. Every single tea springs from a single plant species: Camellia Sinensis. Tea isn't the sole reason, but something we can easily do too."

Kaufman added, "Tea drinkers also enjoy the soothing ritual of preparing tea. Perhaps its true benefit is not just the anti-oxidants but as a stress buster."

Harmony Natural Foods, located on Woodport Road in Sparta, carries a large variety of teas which owner Jackie Klinger said are very popular as an alternative method to the over the counter remedies for the cold and flu season.

"Throat Coat Tea is a popular tea for people suffering from sore throats due to the cold and flu," Klinger said. "Traditional Medicinals has a great line of teas including cold care tea and Echinacea tea which also flies off the shelf. Don’t forget about the ginger tea’s to calm the nausea feeling from the flu."

They also carry Nettle tea which can help during allergy season.

Greenes Beans Coffee/Cafe Roastery — with locations in Hackettstown and Sparta — has been roasting specialty grade coffee in small batches since 1995 with a focus on single origin and estate coffees, espresso and signature blends. They also buy and sell fine leaf tea under their brand name 'Chai Guys' and encourage people to explore their focused menu of white, green, oolong, black, puerh and flavored teas.

"Our best-selling teas at our shop in Hackettstown, our kiosk at Centenary College, and our Sparta shop are Earl Grey Tea (Earl Grey Blend): fully-oxidized China black tea leaves with the added citrusy scent (or flavor) of oil of bergamot (orange)," said owner Dave Green. "English Breakfast Tea: traditional floral blend of fully-oxidized Keemun tea leaves from the Anhui province of China. Irish Breakfast Tea: traditional malty black tea produced on both sides of the Brahmaputra river in the Indian state of Assam. Japanese Sencha: steamed green tea leaves grown in China and processed in the Japanese style. Long Jing "Dragonwell": pan-fired green tea leaves from the Zheijang province of China, and all of our 'greenish’ (lightly oxizided) oolongs from China and Taiwan."

He also said that Greenes Beans' best selling herbals include: chamomile flowers; peppermint (organic), South African rooibos (organic), South African honeybush (organic), roasted yerba mate (organic), and hibiscus 'flower'.

"We offer several blended herbals which contain various percentages of herbs — lemony mint being a popular blend."

Sugar Loaf Herbs — located In Orange County Kings Highway in Sugar Loaf, N.Y. — is continuing its free "To Your Health" series this month with a class called "Exploring Tea" this Saturday, Jan. 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. Experts will teach about brewing and enjoying black, green, white, herbal and red rooibos teas. It will include free tastings and demonstrations. There will also be a storewide sale with 10 to 50 percent off a large selection of teapots, brewing accessories, organic skincare, oils, books, supplements and more.

Sugar Loaf Herbs is also having a Warm Beverage Creation Contest encouraging people to invent their own warm beverage using any ingredients sold in Sugar Loaf Mountain Herbs. To enter, send a typed copy of "your own unique" recipe to mtnherb@optonline.net or drop off a hand written copy. Deadline is Feb. 2. Entries will be narrowed down, and a final judging will be held on Feb. 16 at the store. The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate.

There are numerous quotes about tea, but perhaps the most significant is the one written by Eleanor Roosevelt which says, "A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water."