Antibiotic Resistance & Tea Medicine
Tea Medicine Blog
by Jonny
1y ago
One recent study of the properties of Hong Cha (or in many cultures incorrectly named “black tea”) stood out to me. Mohammad and Flayyih (2021) investigated alcoholic extracts of black tea to act as an antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus widely and prolifically colonises human upper respiratory airways , membranes and skin. It is considered a commensal pathogen, meaning its interactions with the human organism is mostly tolerated and benign. However frequent mutation or adaptive strains that are capable of binding with antibodies or produce toxic proteins have le ..read more
Visit website
Tea, Immortality and Fungus: a reappraisal
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
2y ago
The growing interest in the role of mycology and health has been spearheaded by the likes of Paul Stamets and Tero Isokauppila, leading to the development of food supplements, research and claims of new horizons in pharma. I happen to feel that we have been here before though, with the role of Tea Medicine, culture and the development of fermented tea, AKA Hei Cha. It is interesting to note that versions of the Taoist text Yisuan Jing, printed in the Ming period Taoist Canon (1368 to 1644) makes reference to fungi in the following: “May all the immortals grant me, The sacred scriptures sustain ..read more
Visit website
Tea and Water; East Flowing Water (dongliu shui 东流 水)
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
2y ago
Considering himself to be the successor of the Qin Emperor, the Han Emperor made water as a symbol of virtue in order to stabilize the region of the Qin (Pend 2015). The symbolic role of water in Han court ritual is was given preferential treatment over the other four elements (Loewe 1994) and was seen as an expression of power. During the Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD) The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon (Huangdi Nei Jing), the oldest received work of Chinese medical theory, was compiled on the basis of shorter texts from different medical lineages. Whilst development of medical theory classics suc ..read more
Visit website
Is Tea an Entheogen?
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
3y ago
Tea is traditionally known to induce mental clarity, cognitive function, physical activation and relaxation. The acute psychoactive effects of tea in literature is mostly attributed to caffeine, L-theanine, and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) influencing mood and cognitive performance. So is Tea an Etheogen? An entheogen is a psychoactive substance that induces alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwise in sacred contexts. Entheogens have traditionally been used to supplement many diverse practices g ..read more
Visit website
Matcha tea – wonder drug or over inflated claims?
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
3y ago
Kochman et al (2021) make a grand and sweeping claim, in their review, that Matcha has the potential in preventing many diseases and supporting cognitive function. As with many scientific research upon the health benefits of tea, much of this is attributed to the high content of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in processed tea material. However, to the contrary, studies in coronary disease challenge previously claims of anitoxidant dietay consumption and their benefit on heart health. Luo et al (2021) recognise that whilst observational studies have identified associations between ..read more
Visit website
Tea and the Bamboo Grove
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
3y ago
The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (竹林七賢) were a group of Chinese scholars, writers, and musicians of the third century. They were highly gifted individuals who were opposed to the teachings and state institutionalized structure of Confucius, instead believing in individual freedom, openness and spontaneity. They existed historically at the end of the Han Dynasty, which had led to a period of social, economic and political chaos. Their achievements on literature, philosophy and arts, alongside their lifestyle, spirit and pursuits has held an important position and big influence in Chinese cu ..read more
Visit website
Anti-viral properties of Tea
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
3y ago
In current times it is impossible to get through the day , let alone a tea session, without some conversation about viruses or the coronavirus. The ongoing COVID19 global pandemic drives a “vaccine race” between multi- national agencies and states as the world tries to react to the current infection. Staying healthy and virus free has never been more of a concern. A recent study by Karthikeyan et al (2020) recognised the value of tea and methanol extracts of tea leaves in having a strong anti-viral activity against Newcastle disease virus. Newcastle disease virus is a virus that causes a dead ..read more
Visit website
Is it really just about the Theanine?
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
3y ago
Theanine is the most abundant amino acid in tea leaves (40-70%) and therefore strongly indicated in the pharmaceutical and health benefits of tea. Theanine has a chemical structure very similar to glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid in the body that helps transmit nerve impulses in the brain. By mimicking neurotransmitters, L-Theanine induces a state of relaxed focus. It’s incredibly useful in helping to address states of hyper-stimulation such as anxiety or muscle tension, as well as for optimizing the effects of other substances like caffeine or stimulating herbs/medications (Co ..read more
Visit website
The subtle art of Tea, Tea Medicine & Wu Wei
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
3y ago
古之善為士者,微妙玄通,深不可識 “Those who are good in ancient times are subtle and profound, but they are incomprehensible” The Tao Te Ching, credited to the 6th-century BC sage Lao Tzu says this much. We can apply this wisdom in regard to Tea Medicine practice in that it is less about knowledge or comprehending a way of medicine but more about intuitive embodiment of a practice. Practice remains subtle, intuitive and beyond merely comprehensive structural theory. That isn’t to say there is not a foundation in knowledge or Classical theory but that is more the application and experience of practice than kno ..read more
Visit website
Tea Interview with a Taoist Master
Tea Medicine Blog
by Tea Medicine
3y ago
Master Gu is a 15th generation Taoist master of the Wudang Sanfeng Pai lineage and is the spiritual teacher of the Wudang Taoist Wellness Academy. I had the opportunity to interview him upon Tea and Taoist culture and it is a pleasure to share his responses with everyone. I found it both touching and reassuring that he was able to share this philosophy of Tea that is intimate to both spiritual, social and physical cultivation and wellness. Q. Master Gu, what is your earliest experience of tea drinking? A. My earliest experience of tea dates back to my childhood, as a small boy, I jokingly imi ..read more
Visit website

Follow Tea Medicine Blog on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR