Herbal Tonic & Tea Menu

Herbal Tonics

Tonics are water extracts of herbs that have stronger healing properties than teas. Tonics are often made with a handful of roots, branches and leaves- instead of the typical tea bags that a beverage tea is made from. Tonics are usually cooked longer periods of time, usually an hour or more, to concentrate the vital forces of the plant t for maximum absorption and rejuvenation. An Herbal tonic builds, strengthens, supports and increases the life force of a tissue, organ, system or the whole body. Herbal tonics are best thought of as the Wellness Herbs. They may be taken when one is not sick and used for prevention of disease, since they build the body's defenses. Herbal tonics may be used as part of a program to increase vitality and thus promote a state of health and well being. Tonics have historically also been used as special healing foods, as longevity herbs and for spiritual balancing. Many tonics have their origins in ancient Chinese philosophy and Taoist spirituality. Tonics work best over time, from a matter of days to weeks to months but one may feel a shift in one's energy almost immediately.

Tonic of the Day-Every day we prepare a "Tonic of the Day." Some examples are listed below:

• Vitality Combination-poria, atractylodes, ginger, peony. Builds circulation, "chi," or energy, gentley increases metabolism, warms the hands and feet, settles the digeston.
• Longevity Tonic-ginseng & codonopsis, he shou wu, lycium, schizandra, asparagus. A citrus-tasting ancient tonic formula that is said to protect the Three Treasures: the spirit, the vital energy and the root essence of life.
• The Four Gentlemen-codonopsis, atractylodes, licorice, poria. The central "chi" formula of Chinese tonic herbalism that builds energy, dispels lethargy, improves digestion and "picks things up." Good tasting.

Tonics We Like

Just Ginseng-Chinese or American Ginseng cooked in a double boiler to extract the deep healing and energizing essences of these famous roots (should be ordered an hour ahead since this tonic is prepared from scratch).

Green Wizard-a blend of mountain green tea, gotu kola, ginkgo, lemon balm and peppermint-herbs that create mental clarity and relaxation. This tea has a subtle mood altering effect that is quite pleasing. Served hot.

East Coast Chai-a delicious version of a traditional spicy herb blend from India that helps build the "digestive fire." Also called "milk tea" and "spice tea," Chai helps "tone" a sluggish metabolism&endash;thought in Ayurvedic healing to be the first step in the break down of health.

Kava Cowboy-a unique drink made from a cold infusion of kava, the relaxing, anti-anxiety root from the South Pacific, and a blend of cranberry and orange juice. This herb beverage helps relax muscles, reduce pain, promote digestion and creates a sense of peace and happiness-just what a cowboy or cowgirl needs after a long day of stress.

Mu Tea-a special blend of 16 tonic herbs created by George Ohsawa, the father of macrobiotics. A "synergy" tea that creates a spicy, sweet, full bodied tea that is greater than sum of its ingredients: a balanced mixture of Japanese and Chinese herbs.

Traditional Teas

Rooibos-a full bodied, red-colored, delicious, unique flavored tea from South Africa. A beverage tea that has tonic, health-building properties, this "red bush" tea is a favorite in its homeland. Served hot, it can be taken with milk and sweetener like regular black tea.

Cassina Tea-a Native American tea also drank by the Spanish, French and British colonists, this tea is made from the leaves of the yaupon holly. It is wildcrafted and packaged by a local company here in St. Augustine.

Sencha-this tea is what most people think of as "green tea," that is, the fresh, young leaves of the tea plant that are steamed and dried. Sencha encourages a contemplative, refreshed state of mind. Green tea is drank by many who feel it wards off disease and sickness. Organic.

Hojicha-roasted green tea [regular green tea is steamed]-which gives the "new" green tea leaves a rich, satisfying flavor. No green tea after taste but like green tea is loaded with "anti-oxidants."

Kukicha (Bancha)-the late-harvested twigs, leaves and upper branches of the tea plant, this tea has a nutty, roasted, full-bodied flavor with very little caffeine. "Twig tea," as bancha is called, is calming, meditative and is healing like green tea. It has strong alkalinizing properties and is part of the macrobiotic diet.

Earl Grey-the classic Twinings blend of oriental teas with a unique flavor and scent. One of the flavorings, bergamot, is also a Native American herb called monarda, or bee balm.

English Breakfast-the classic Twinings blend of Ceylon and Indian teas that makes for a "typically English brew."

Cold, Flu & Wellness Center

Ban Lan Gen Chong Ji- a spicy, sweet tea made with galangal, a member of the ginger family, and sugar. Wards off "wind cold," colds and chills-for the times when you feel may be coming down with something.

Kuzu Root Tea-a cold & flu tea for the average constitution (good for almost everyone). This tea is particulary good at relieving tight shoulders as well as other symptoms of cold & flu like fever, chills, stiffness and perspiration.

Minor Blue Green Dragon-a great tea for allergies, runny nose, coughing, body aches and phlegm expectoration. Good for "wind cold."

Three Flowers Tea-a tea for when the cold & flu has gone beyond the early stages, settled into the head and lungs, produces yellow mucous and sore throat. Good for "wind heat."

Immune Defense Formula-a tonic to ward off the chills, cold & flu; sort of an herbal "flu shot" that helps build up the body's defenses and encourages resistance to the external "evils" of damp, cold, stress and over exertion. Can be drunk two or more times a week during cold & flu season or times of exertion and stress.

 Teas Made to Order

This menu is a partial selection of what we have availavble. We can make many popular and well-known Chinese herbal tonics as special orders. We will also be glad to make reccomendations appropriate to your constitution, lifestyle and season of the year.

 Health Alert and Disclaimer: We make no claims for healing of disease with herbal tonics and teas but only report on ancient knowledge, anecdotal stories told to us by our customers and the latest scientific research.

Prenancy: We would advise pregnant women to order teas from the categories of Traditional Teas and Celestial Seasonings Teas. We recognize that it may not be appropriate for pregnant women to consume beverages like tea and coffee that contain caffeine, but it is a personal decision each woman should reach with the advice of her physician.