AboutRachel Johnston Expertise I have a thorough knowledge of tea, tea history, tea types, growing, economical and other interesting information about tea. I also can provide information on herbals and practical daily use of all of the above in every day living. I cannot answer or advise on any illness or treatment of said illness, physical or mental. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV. :)
Experience I have worked as a tea professional in this industry for 5 years and with herbs and essential oils for 10. I owned and operated an online tea business called SBS Teas http://www.sbsteas.com for over 5 years (now under new ownership).
Publications The Essential Herbal Magazine -Regular contributor
The Croc
Education/Credentials Start a Tea Business Course
Hypnotherapy Institute of Seattle
Extended educational courses
I am now semi-retired but do work part time blogging about product reviews:
http://www.weirdstuffinmydesk.com
Expert: Rachel Johnston Date: 1/1/2007 Subject: green tea and wu long tea
Question About 2 years ago I was advised to drink Chinese teas for weight loss and overall health. I had a friend pick up green tea and a detoxifying tea for me. Needless to say I never used them and these teas (in bulk form) have been sitting in a drawer ever since. I don't know how to use them and I haven't really been in touch with the person who bought them for me since. Are these teas still effective after sitting so long? How do I use them? Will they really help me loose belly fat? What is the best time of day to drink them? I seem to be too busy during the day. How about in the evening? I do drink iced black tea at Starbucks. Are there any health benefits from that tea? Thank you for your time.
Answer Hi Karen!
Thank you for your questions. As far as the teas you currently have, my answer is no, the teas are not good at this point. You can compost them or throw them out. Tea generally lasts about a year, depending on how it is stored. Loose tea like the tea you received from your friend is the absolute best way to drink it for the best benefits, as it is fresher.
Simply add a teaspoon of loose tea for every six ounces of water, add hot water (just before boiling), or if you have a water cooler with hot and cold taps at work, this is an excellent temperature.
Let the green tea steep for 1 minute and drain from your brewer into your cup. The whole process takes literally a few minutes. Easy to do at work or on the go. The Amazing Brewer is small enough to be portable. Remember, different types of tea, have different steeping times. Our teas have the instructions on the bag for each one.
As with any healthy diet, an exercise program is considered to be a positive thing.
I can only speak to the tea aspect of this question. For more fitness information, be sure to check out our experts here at: http://www.allexperts.com/browse.cgi?catLvl=2&catID=350
They may be able to provide some ideas on how to proceed with your exercise routines.
There are many studies in progress at this time that are researching the many health benefits of tea. Each person is different, and the effects they may or may not experience can vary drastically.
Wulong is not the only tea that has been reported as having slimming effects when consumed. Most teas (green, white, oolong/wulong, black) have had reports of these same effects. My suggestion is to try a variety of different teas and test them out and follow your progress.
One can drink as many cups as you like all throughout the day, unless you have a caffeine sensitivity or have been advised otherwise by your health care provider. Green tea does contain caffeine, be sure to take that into consideration before drinking it at night.
Tea can be made in the morning and put into a thermos as well. This makes it handy to drink throughout the day.
I cannot speak to the benefits of the iced tea you mentioned. What I can tell you is that tea that comes in bags is old. And is the bottom of the barrel as far as quality in tea goes. Literally it is the dust or "fannings" of what is left after all of the loose tea has been processed. Personally, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, but then again, I am partial to our loose teas. :)
Thank you again Karen, and please feel free to come by anytime with more tea questions! :)
