Love that Hibiscus Rooibos

Love at first sip!

Our latest tea favorite. You've got to try it! An amazing Red Rooibos and hibiscus blend.  We're calling it Bark & Blooms, you'll see why. 

How do you fill your cup up with deep red goodness?

You take some organic dried hibiscus flowers, (tart burst of flavor, high vit. C, lovely color)

Add some Jasmine flower buds (the love flower)

then some Pau'D Arco 

(a whole system supporter, blood and skin purifier, I add this to most of my teas)

Throw in some red rose petals, 

(not only a symbol of love, it's soothing to throat and stomach and mildly delicious)

Add all of this together with some fair trade organic red rooibos and sweet rosehips. 

Steep a teaspoon full for 4 minutes in hot water, add 1/2 teaspoon honey or agave, and you have yourself one flavorful cup of tea! 

Here at T's Tonics we've bagged it up pretty and added a heart shaped tea infuser.  Bribery gift for your loved one.  They have to share!
  Not available on our website.  Request at info@tstonics.com if you are interested. Retail price is $10.  Makes 40-50 cups of tea.

“Love is the most universal, formidable and mysterious of cosmic energies.” –Chardin

tea and love

Love and tea.  What's not to love?

“Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea.”  - Henry Fielding (1707-1754)

Ari thought compressed tea leaf hearts were so cool!

It's a new year and I am already thinking ahead to my one of my favorite holidays, Valentine's Day, and all of the mushy love quotes, recipes and herbs that symbolize love that I want to share with you.

So I'm getting started early. I plan on posting them periodically throughout the month of January up until Valentine's so beware!  We are talking good clean love and fun quotes here. This is a PG rated family site!

But speaking of love and herbs:  Did you know that some chai spices are good for the libido?  Cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, cardomon, and ginger all increase circulation and can help elevate energy and passion!  

Ylang Ylang, Jasmine and Rose also help balance emotions and enhance relationships.  These in essential oil form are powerful and lovely fragrances that naturally make me think of love and warmth.  (Not the cheap old lady rose smell, the really expensive real rose smell)

I am going to have fun with teas and yummy smells this week.  Hope yours is good too!

Bath and Shower Salts-Magnesium help

Case for using bath salts (even in the shower)

open sinuses with infuser in shower

We may think of soaking in a bath of salts only as a last resort when we have sore, over worked muscles or are sick and desperate for relief.  But consider some of the other benefits of bath salts:

Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt) is the #1 ingredient in most bath salts.  Magnesium, which doctors now say many people are lacking in, is usually obtained through natural water sources (hard water), green vegetables and whole grains.  It is needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body:  Normal muscle and nerve function, heart, immune system, strong bones, it also helps maintain blood sugar levels, normal blood pressure and is involved in energy metabolism to name a few.  Epsom salt in the bath helps relieve muscle and joint aches and is also used to relieve constipation and aid digestion.  It is the quickest way (and least expensive) to obtain magnesium into your system because your skin, being your largest organ, is much quicker than your stomach to absorb minerals, etc.  (That’s why we are very careful what we put on our body!)  A great side effect of magnesium is to help balance emotions.  That’s why Epsom salt is a great de-stresser!

Sea Salts contain many trace minerals needed in the body.  Benefits of sea salts are almost the same as magnesium and include: strengthening the immune system, alkalizing the body, helping weight loss, skin problems, asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, muscle spasms, and depression. 

Oils and essential oils – therapeutic aromatics help open breathing, heart, senses and relax muscles, emotions, etc.

In the Shower - If you are like me you find yourself in the shower far more than in the bath. So use your bath salts in the shower! Put a tablespoon in cheesecloth, sachet or tea strainer/infuser and hang in the shower under your water.  Your will receive therapeutic benefits as the water activates the salts and oils.  Enjoy!

Easy Bath Salt Recipe

1 cup Epsom Salt

1 cup Mediterranean, Celtic or Dead Sea Salt

½ cup Soda Salt

¼ cup Baking Soda

1 tsp. jojoba, grapeseed, or Vit. E oil

¼ cup dried herbs of choice (optional)

15-20 drops essential oil of choice: depending on needs – eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, wintergreen, peppermint with orange, etc.

Mix together thoroughly and secure in labeled glass jar.  Use 2-3 Tbsp per bath.