Curandera

My abuela used to cure everything with herb teas and sobos. I still remember when she gather the poleo to make tea for stomach pain. If you got muscle pain, Guanabana leaf tea is the key, etc etc.

Now that I am in my healing journey, I have embrace the curandera in me. I do it by instinct and with ancestral knowledge. I read books, or call my abuela to ask for guidance.

My abuela’s memorie is fading away, and it has been a real struggle for my family in Puerto Rico. Caring for someone with signs of dementia is painful and exhausting.

For now, I will remember her teachings, and honor her ways. One of those teachings is the power of teas. Nature is wise, and has all we need to heal ourselves.

Here is one of my favorite recipes for when you have a cold.

The tea is equal parts of:

-Dry ginger (or fresh if you prefer)

-Cinnamon (not grounded)

-Chamomile

-Peppermint

-Hibiscus

-Lemon grass

Mix together and prepare your tea! Water should be almost to a boiling point but not boiling.

Benefits:

Ginger: Its volatile oils have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which makes it an excellent remedy for flu, headaches and menstrual pains.

Cinnamon: Is antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory.

Chamomile: The flowers from chamomile tea are key in helping you sleep. Chamomile plants have flavonoids in the petals which have a tranquilizing reaction. The tea also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it offers extra benefits while drinking this tea. (not recommended while pregnant)

Peppermint: The menthol in the peppermint leaves can have a slight anesthetic effect on your throat, suppressing your cough (which is why peppermint appears in many cough drops). Plus, scientists from the USDA report that when tested in a lab, peppermint has been found to have significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities.

Hibiscus: loaded with antioxidants, hibiscus is also rich in vitamin C and iron. Both properties help the immune system stay balanced and fight bacteria, helping you ditch a cold or flu more quickly.

Lemmon Grass: Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties that helps your body cope with cold, fever and flu symptoms. As an antipyretic, it contains certain chemical components that increases sweating, which brings down fevers while also flushing out toxins from the body.

*Disclaimer: Please do your own research about this herbs, you can be allergic to some. I’m not a medical professional or a certified herbalist. I do my own research and follow family recipes.

Hibiscus Tea

Having picked some tea, he drank it,
Then he sprouted wings,
And flew to a fairy mansion,
To escape the emptiness of the world....
-Chiao Je

Tea, so important in some many cultures.  I like tea, or ar least, some of them.  Since I was little, my grandma use to go to her backyard, and grab fresh herbs and flowers, and make wonders with her tea.  For every pain, there was a recipe, for every sorrow, there was always tea.  My son has developed an interest for tea, and its culture, he has become quite an aficionado.  So when in Brooklyn, we decided to go to Bellocq in Green Point.  This place was Magical, the athmosphere was so enchanting, we didn't want to leave.  They have an excelent selection of exotics teas, and they make there special blends too.  The service was excellent, we were greeted and oriented very well.  I bought for myself the special blend “Corazon de Cien Fuegos”.  

It consists of Hibiscus, lemongrass, cinnamon, rose petals, lavender and cornflower.  This is MY tea…I will always drink it.  When making tea, you have to be very carefull, to much exposure of the tea, or too hot water, can damage the taste.  For this specific blend, I poured 2 cups of water in a pot, and let it almost boil, when you see the little bubbles starting to appear, is time to take it off the stove.  Pour the hot water in a clean tea pot, and add 3 teaspoons of the blend in the mesh…let it stand for five to ten minutes.  If you like sweet tea, add honey when hot, if you like to drink it cold, as soon as the honey has melted, put it in the refrigerator.

When I was going to discard the used herbs, I notice the beautiful reds and pinks stains in my hand, and decided to play a little with it…and started to paint with the tea petals.  It was so beautiful, the most wonderful paint there is, directly from nature.  I noticed once dry, the colors turned to the blues and purples shades…just like magic.  I played a little with my food, made some art, drank some very good tea…this day, was a good day…

I recommend the book The new Tea Companion, if you want to learn more about tea.

Thanks for reading!!