“Its goodness is for the mouth to make,” Lu Yu wrote in the first ever annals of tea drinking, called Cha Jing or the Art of Tea. But sometimes, it really pays to match the kind of Asian black tea set that you use with the tea type you’re drinking.

For instance, many people say that for China black teas or China green teas, a Chinese Yixing teapot is the best. You see, Yixing teapots are made from unglazed clay, and that’s why teas drank from such teapots taste better because the flavor is fully preserved.

So if you want to savor the taste of your tea and experience the different subtle variations of black tea, the kind of Asian black tea set you use matters.

Below are a few good shops where you can look for the perfect Asian black tea sets.

KitchenKapers

At KitchenKapers, you can find an elegant-looking, white-colored Asian black tea set - the Joyce Chen Time for Tea Set - Black 90 5100. The teapot has an authentic side-handle to make it easier for you to pour in a manner reminiscent of elaborate tea ceremonies and matching Asian black tea set cups that will any hour tea time.

This Asian black tea set is stoneware that is microwave and dishwasher safe. It consists of 5 pieces, including one side-handle 20 oz. teapot and four 4 oz. handle-less tea cups.

BluemoonTea

Yixing teapots have the unique ability to absorb the tea flavor with continued sausage. What’s more, the fired clay of Yixing teapots contains tiny air pockets which provide insulation for enhanced taste and aroma of fine teas.

The BluemoonTea website offers a fine collection of Yixing teapots and Asian black tea sets, including Empire teapot, Bamboo teapot, Beijing Era Teapot, and the Emerald Zen Yixing. For their Asian black tea set collection. BluemoonTea also offers White Bamboo on Blue Tea Cup with Infuser, Forest Rose Tea Cup with Infuser, Lotus Tea Cup with Infuser, Sage Floral Covered Bowl, Spring Teapot Set, and Red Blossom Tea Set.

SensationalTeas

The Japanese have used Tetsubin teapots for centuries to brew their finest teas and add artistic elegance to their household as well. Each Tetsubin teapot at SensationalTeas is hand cast, as well as hand finished, and fitted with a stainless steel mesh infuser basket.

As part of their wide collection of Asia black tea sets, SensationalTeas offers the Large Hira which is a stunningly elegant, and very rare, large capacity Tetsubin Hira. The teapot can hold 40 oz. and comes 5-7 cups all covered with elegant charcoal black exterior and a distinctive “hob nail” design. To complete the look, this Asian black tea set is lightly washed with a touch of brown, giving it a gorgeous antiqued appearance.

Another unique Asian black tea set at SensationalTeas is the 35 oz. Wabi. The Japanese find great beauty in simple design and the Wabi is a wonderful example. Its cocoa brown exterior has a pleasant orange peel texture and a squared off top that’s distinctive, setting itself apart from a standard round teapot.

For hundreds of years in the Far East, Oolong tea has been respected for its healing qualities and slimming ability. Wonderful and unique, Oolong combines the full flavor and delicious taste of black tea, with some of the best health qualities of green tea.

Recently it has been cleverly marketed here in the states as an “Ancient Chinese Secret to Weight Loss”. Although this isn’t completely true, and many of the claims are exaggerated, Oolong is an important and healthy part of the Chinese diet. In fact, greasy dishes in China are often served with Oolong tea. This is because Oolong is known as an obesity fighter.

Oolong: A Natural Fat Burner


Not only does Oolong stimulate the nervous system and give a nice boost to your metabolism, but it also contains a hefty dose of polyphenols that help dissolve excess triglyceride (a substance that is normally used as fuel for the body, but gets stored as fat when there’s too much of it).

This fat burning process is called “thermogenesis” and it provides extra energy, sheds excess water, and, of course, helps to burn body fat.

Believe it or not, this slimming quality of Oolong tea is just the start of the fantastic health benefits. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the really exciting ones.

Oolong Fights Cancer & Diseases


Free radicals are nasty toxins that are responsible for causing damage to the cells in your body. This cellular damage is responsible for diseases, the aging process, and even cancer. Oolong tea contains high amounts of potent antioxidants that help to fight these free radicals and keep your body in tip-top shape.

Oolong Promotes Healthy, Smooth Skin


The same antioxidants that fight disease and cancer also protect the skin from spots and wrinkles. In fact, scientific studies have even proven that drinking Oolong can improve some skin conditions by over 50%.

Oolong Detoxifies the Body


Oolong tea works as an anti-bacterial agent and helps to produce a clean alkaline environment in the body. This makes it hard for bacteria, fungus, and other toxic microbes to live there.

Oolong Stops Bad Breath While Promoting Healthy Teeth & Gums


By killing bacteria in the stomach, Oolong prevents bad breath. A Japanese University study also found that regular drinking of Oolong tea actually strengthened teeth and helped to prevent tooth decay.

Oolong Boosts the Immune System


A recent study found that a substance in Oolong tea called theanine may help the body’s immune system response when fighting infection. The study included a four-week trial with 11 coffee drinkers and 10 tea drinkers, who consumed 600ml of coffee or black tea daily. Blood sample analysis found that the production of anti-bacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea-drinkers, an indicator of a stronger immune response.

Oolong Enhances Focus and Mental Function


Oolong contains several compounds that have stimulating effects on the nervous system. This means that it enhances alertness, focus, and improves brain function. It’s one of the few stimulants that is completely safe.

The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002) based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines and the questioning and counseling of 10,000+ Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the theory, observation that everything is an ongoing balance of opposites, many of which we control through diet, exercise, sex, thought, etc.

Know the whole before attempting to diagnose and or treat the part, as you cannot cure the part ithout curing the whole. The whole is equal to and greater than the sum of its parts.  If you cannot afford or do not want to risk your money ($20 or less), then I will send, email you the E Book (Adobe file, 1,005 KB) for free.  Your health is  more important than my bank account. Email me (rgheft@netzero.com) your request or questions.  Peace.

Breast cancer attacks one in eight women, generally over the age of forty. It is a cancerous tumor, firm, immovable lump that “never” goes away. It is usually pain free. The vast majority of breast lumps are not cancerous. Lumps that do not move may be caused by normal fibrocystic changes during the menstrual cycle in addition to estrogen, which promotes cellular growth in the breasts and reproductive organs. Poor diet (too cold or too hot) tends to cause breast lumps, cancer.

Cancer is a disorder of unrestrained cellular growth.  Estrogen supplements, poor diet: high protein, high fat, processed foods, smoking, early menstruation prior to age 10 and or menopause after age 55 are known factors.

Breast cancer, like most cancers, comes in the form of a tumor. All tumors are blood, protein and fat rich. Protein and fat build and fuel all structure and function, including tumors, cancer. No one has ever developed cancer from eating too many fruits, vegetables and grains. Incidences of cancer (colon and prostate) are highest in America, Argentina and all other countries that tend to eat high protein, high fat foods, especially red meat, wild game, pork, chicken, etc.

Cancer is a disorder of unrestrained cellular growth nourished and accelerated by excessive blood, protein and fat, especially hormonally treated (growth hormones) animals. Estrogen (growth hormone) supplements can also be a factor. .

Caffeine is a known breast irritant. It is an accelerant, stimulant drug, as are smoking, tobacco and alcohol. Unrestrained growth is fire out of control. Coffee, tobacco and alcohol are fire accelerants, and should be limited.

While there is “no cure for cancer”, although people have cured, there is always logic. Everything builds up and breaks down. Cancer in tumor form can be starved, broken down via (colder middle diet, meal plan) low protein, low fat (vegetarian), grains, cooked vegetables, spices, fruit and herbs. Essiac Tea is one herbal combination that has been successful; however, its success is dependent on additional factors: dietary discipline, weight, etc.   Check with your doctor before making any changes. .

Most breast lumps are harmless cysts. Cysts, abnormal fluid filled sacs found commonly in the breasts come and go, and sometimes stay too long. Fluid sacs are not cancerous as they contain no protein or fat, but they can harden.

Too much water (eight glasses of water per day, salads, too many fruits, juices, smoothies, shakes, milk and cold drinks) generally causes breast lumps, cysts, as do weak digestion. Digestion heats the body, especially the lungs, chest (heat rises). Weak digestion tends to cool and moisten (cold condenses) the body, lungs (mucous, phlegm), breasts (lumps, cysts), stools (loose), thighs (cellulite), abdomen, ankles, etc. Cooked foods and spices help eliminate excess moisture, as does a decrease in cold, damp foods (salads, tropical fruits, milk, cold drinks, etc.).

Most lumps although harmless and normal should be checked, monitored via physical examination. A yellow, bloody or clear discharge from the nipple generally indicates cancer of the breast.

Hot and Cold Health

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 The Way of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C Diseases Candidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D Diseases Depression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F Diseases Ear Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H Diseases Gall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices (belief in God)  307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

In the past, herbal medicine was more frequently used compared with the present.  More recently  

the interest in herbal medicinal products, especially in the field of healthy nutrition, dermatology and cosmetics, has risen enormously.  Many plant-derived substances show photo protective properties in terms of absorption of UV radiation and preventing photo damage to molecular structures of human skin.  Modern phytopharmaceutics as well as phytocosmetics have standardized, defined methods for the herbal matrix. 

The pharmacological effect of the compounds could be foreseen from their chemical structure.  The development of rational technology of pharmaceutical preparations follows the identification of active constituents in pharmaceutical herbs their good-to-excellent effect.

Numerous examples can be found in many literature citations, and in fact in many potions are used for different ailments e.g. The buckwheat herb (Fagopyrum esculentum is rich in flavonoids, which have been identified as potent antioxidants and have a high content of phenolics, and a low content of the phototoxic fagopyrin. the extractable matter, contains fagopyrin, rutin, and chlorogenic acid.   

Pharmaceutical herbal preparations have been used for the treatment of respiratory diseases for a long time.  Alongside with the well known herbs, there are many of crude drugs to be investigated and applied in therapeutics.  Respiratory diseases are mainly treated by chemical medicines and antibiotics.  The use of herbal preparations is limited and they are usually used as supplemental ones.  Biochemical processes in plants, chemical compounds and information on their value in therapy were shown too beneficial. The pharmacological effect of the compounds often arises from their chemical structure elucidation and knowledge. Hence, the development of rational technology of pharmaceutical preparations follows the identification of active constituents in pharmaceutical herbs.  The proper use of pharmaceutical herbs supplies the organism with the natural substances, thus preventing various diseases. 

An anti-influenza virus agent contains the medicinal herb extracts including Houttuyniae herbal extract, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Seem extract, Saposhnikoviae Radix extract and Bupleurum falcatum L. extract, wherein the medicinal herb extracts are prepared by extracting the medicinal herbs with at least one solvent selected from C1-C4 lower alcohol, ethyl acetate, acetone, water and hexane. 

 The traditional Chinese herb tripterygium wilfordii contains diterpenoid triepoxides comprise triptolide, triptodiolide, triptonide etc. are used to prepare a drug for treating neoplasm or cancer with one or more medicinal carriers

A nutritious food composition containing an herbal extract as a main component isomaltooligosaccharide,, high fructose and other additives which  supplies sufficient nutrients to a woman in childbed and improves the immunity and thus helps the child-bed woman maintain and improve the health.  The nutritious food composition contains 10 to 20% by weight of a herbal extract e.g.arabic gum, taurine, silk peptide, polydextrose and herb flavors.These are but a few examples of the many that are developed, and introduced in the market instead as a subsidiary or complimentary medicine.

However, it is worthy to note, and in long time use, that some of these potions have side effects and slow toxic inducement, e.g. the Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum L.), is known to contain a neurotoxin, and may have been inadvertently mixed into the herbal tea.  In view of the severity of the adverse health effects and the clear association with consumption of a specific herbal tea, the suspected herbal tea was quickly withdrawn from the market.  Consumption of the herbal tea caused required hospitalization of persons due to generalized tonic-clonic seizures.  Morphologic and organoleptic investigations of the suspected herbal tea indicated that this possibly contained the neurotoxin anisatin, a non-competitive GABA-antagonist which can cause hyperactivity of the central nervous system and tonic-clonic seizures.  Hence ingestion of a herbal tea containing anisatin caused the reported serious adverse health effects. 

Our advice is that one has to treat these herbal drugs with caution and after considerable consultation lest serious adverse or allergic effects may arise during treatment and use.

Is any other food or drink reported to have as many health benefits as green tea? The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. In her book Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, Nadine Taylor states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

cancer

rheumatoid arthritis

high cholesterol levels

cariovascular disease

infection

impaired immune function

What makes GT so special?

The secret of GT lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Links are being made between the effects of drinking GT and the “French Paradox.” For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

Why don’t other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets GT apart is the way it is processed. G.T. leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

Other Benefits

New evidence is emerging that G.T. can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and G.T. extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

G.T. can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing g.t. - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.

Harmful Effects?

To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking g.t. is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, g.t. contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.