The Healing Powers of Tea

by Cal Orey, Will Clower (Foreword)

Wellness in a Cup—Discover the Benefits of Tea for Your Body and Mind!   It picks you up and calms you down, warms you and refreshes you. With black, white, red, green, and herbal varieties, there’s a tea for every taste, and now this time-honored superfood is trending as the drink of choice for health-conscious people of all ages and cultures.   This fascinating book boils down the rich history of tea—as well as the ever-expanding list of health and weight loss benefits found in its leaves.   *Discover how black and white teas are heating up the beverage world with antioxidants and nutrients that lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and fight off inflammation, viruses, and bacteria.   *Learn how age-defying spa treatments made from tea can soothe your skin, soften your hair, and give you an all-over glow and peace of mind.   *Get the latest knowledge from top medical researchers and tea experts on how the superfood can tackle digestive problems, depression and anxiety, aches and pains, and add years to your life.   *Stir up over 50 home cures to give yourself more energy, less stress, treat the common cold, insomnia, and more!   *Enjoy comforting and tea-licious recipes like Warm Scones with Jam and Devonshire Cream, Assorted Finger Sandwiches, Scrumptious White Tea Scallops, and Russian Tea Cookies paired with the perfect brew – hot or iced.   Better health is just a sip away. With The Healing Powers of Tea (sweetened with lively stories) you’ll learn the hottest tips to improve your health, boost your brain power, and even clean your house!

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Reference, Tea, Food

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2017

About the author

Cal Orey is an author-journalist (savvy researcher) and pens fiction. She has a master's degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Orey lives in Northern CA and is known for her hugely popular Healing Powers book collection published by Kensington.

The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures #9 has made its way to being a pick in Woman's World Magazine Book Club, Booklist, American Global News, NYC Daily Post, New York Daily, City Buzz News, Huffington Post, more than 68 libraries worldwide, many hard copy and online magazines... noted on C2CAM, KSFO...

These down-to-earth, compelling lifestyle-
cookbooks with lively stories have been translated in 20+ languages; featured by Bookspan (including Literary Guild, Good Cook). Her latest books are The Healing Powers of Essential Oils (2019), The Healing Powers of Superfoods (2019), The Healing Powers of Tea (2018), The Healing Powers of Honey (2018, mass market, gift size 416 pages), and The Healing Powers of Vinegar, 3rd edition mass market format.

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I wasn't already convinced of the benefits of tea, which I was I definitely would be now after reading this. My grandmother always drank many cups of black tea every day. I never thought anything of it or joined her in drinking it. I now wish I had. The benefits are tea are numerous and I have been drinking it for many years and my daughter who is almost 7 has been drinking it since she was 2 years old. Herbal tea for her of course, no caffeine .This book is marvelous and tells you all the health benefits of drinking different types of tea. Peppermint tea helps with upset stomachs,black tea has the most caffeine and will energize you. Tea can help you feel energized or relaxed depending on what types you drink. There is tea that may help to prevent cancers and teas are used in many healing and preventive properties. There are delicious recipes included from dinner dishes to desserts. The proper way to brew a cuppa and how to make your own tea blends is included. From cleaning to beauty products and the author's personal tea journey is included. You're going to place this on your keeper shelf and reference it over and over again for it's many benefits.
Highly recommended!
Pub Date 26 Dec 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so pleased to have gotten to preview The Healing Powers of Tea by Cal Orey. This book comes out December 26th and it is a tea lover's delight. I enjoyed this book so much I have ordered it for myself. I am so looking forward to having this book to hold in my hands! Recipes, health advice, sap treatments, oh and there are recipes too! A great gift idea, pre order this one and it will be delivered after Christmas but the Tea Lover in your life will thank you!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born and raised in the South my experience with tea was limited to sweet tea (really REALLY sweet tea) until I was 18 and had my first cup of hot black tea on a visit to NYC. My love affair with tea began. It was only made stronger after two trips to China. The first was in the summer and I was introduced to Jasmine tea (the scent alone is heavenly), the second in the heart of winter where a cup of hot green tea in your hands was a necessity unless you wanted to freeze your fingers off. Unfortunately when I delved into herbal teas I bought a hibiscus and rose hip blend that made me throw up for an entire day afterwards. I thought I was dying. My tea extravaganza became limited to black and green and just the idea of anything herbal besides camomile or peppermint made me queasy.

This book has definitely sparked my interest in tea again. The author did such a great job of describing so many different kinds of tea that my mouth was watering. We have a tea bar in town and I've really enjoyed experimenting with different varieties again. Especially the herbals (although I still steer clear of hibiscus and rose hips).

The book has a lot of information on the history of tea and the history of different varieties. Although well written and often accompanied by amusing stories, I don't really have that much interest in all the background information. Maybe I should so I don't someday make a fool of myself in front of a "tea master" but hey, that's what the interment is for. I can order and try so many different types of teas that I don't have to be confronted by a tea master unless I choose to.

I did love the charts and descriptions of the different health qualities each tea contains. This was the reason I picked up the book in the first place and I feel like it really educated me on which teas are good for specific health issues.

And I LOVED the recipes. You can never have too many recipes. There are tea recipes, and tea time snack recipes and even healthy meal plans. I have thoroughly enjoyed making my way through them.

This is a great book for both experienced tea lovers and those just starting to try things out.

I received this book form the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. So much information about so many different teas.
I never knew how much a cup of tea could mean. From detoxing to relaxing.
This is my new go to book when I want or need a special cup of tea.
Now to go shopping for a new wider selection of teas.
Highly recommended. A must buy.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Note:  This book was provided free of charge by Net Gallery/Kensington Books/Citadel.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Most people who know me are aware of my fondness for drinking tea and, from time to time, reading and writing about it [1].  My long store of fond memories about tea include many experiences drinking the sun tea that my grandmother would brew in preparation of my arrival home from school, enjoying a fine afternoon tea in Port of Spain, Trinidad as a child on my first trip abroad, and shopping for herbal teas as gifts for friends and families.  Although I do not consider myself a tea snob, I do have definite opinions about what teas I prefer and have had the chance to drink a wide variety of teas and tisanes over the course of my life and have viewed my own personal reactions to those teas as experiments.  By and large, I drink mostly what Americans call black teas, although there are quite a few herbal teas that I am fond of as well, especially those which calm anxiety and aid in sleep, both of which are longstanding difficulties I have faced in the course of my life.  

In terms of its contents, this book has a lot to offer.  After a foreword about sweet tea, the first two chapters of this book look at tea time in the power of tea and the ancient traditions of tea.  The next three chapters serve as a testimonial of sorts for the health benefits of black tea.  After this come three chapters that look at the health benefits of white tea, a more obscure and costly drink that might be out of reach for many but not for the hipsters that are this author's target audience.  Three chapters then look at the health benefits of other types of tea--green tea, red tea, and herbal teas.  The fifth part of the book contains three chapters on the properties of tea that in the eyes of the author make it a suitable accompaniment to the Mediterranean diet, help people lose weight, and reduce the effects of aging.  The sixth part of the book looks at tea cures and home remedies, while three chapters follow giving speculations on the part of the author about the future of tea.  The book closes with two chapters on recipes that accompany or are infused by tea (some of which are included in other chapters), along with tea resources for those curious about knowing more.  Each chapter contains a variety of contents including recipes, personal stories, interviews, and points to ponder and steep on at the end.

This book is a reasonably comprehensive and chatty look at the benefits of teas from someone who modestly does not consider herself to be a tea expert but who clearly knows enough about teas to have her own opinions and her own evangelical fervor about a wide variety of teas.  Her ecumenical attitude towards teas and tisanes allows her occasionally irritating and Progressive sentiments to go down a bit easier, and thankfully she does not harp on matters of cultural politics although they do appear from time to time as she praises progressive tea drinkers, especially of the younger generation.  This book was written in a good style for the sort of work it is, and given the quality of this book, it appears likely that I will enjoy reading some of her other volumes about the health benefits of olive oil, vinegar, honey, chocolate, and other foods that I am fond of eating and choose to eat because of their health benefits given my own particularly challenging situation.  As someone afflicted with a great deal of inflammatory problems--namely an excessively sensitive digestive system and intermittent but serious gout--the anti-inflammatory properties of tea are something that I have long appreciated.  This book strives to avoid crossing over the line that would lead it to be viewed as favoring snake oil cures but the author clearly views diet (and exercise) as vital elements of a healthy life and seems particularly fond of Mediterranean and East Asian dietary pathways.  Take it or leave it, as you wish.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Healing Powers of Tea" includes stories from the author about her experiences involving tea, some legends and trivia about tea, and some health benefits of tea. The author is a health journalist, so you'll get the type of information found in magazines: soak your feet in tea or use tea-infused tea products for a spa day. Recipes for making tea-related foods (like scones) or hints on how to use tea or tea leaves in certain foods. Trivia like the first use of tea bags, the origins of some of her favorite tea companies (like Lipton), and mentions of tea in ancient records. Interviews with Tea Masters asking things like how they got involved with tea.

She defined tea terms. She covered basic information about white, green, and black teas and tisanes (spices, fruits, and herbs). She also talked about the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and suggested possible menus and recipes to pair with your tea. She talked about how people use tea for weight loss, anti-aging, and in beauty products. She had a section on using tea for 50 health conditions, but the information tended to be repetitive. For example, tea is anti-inflammatory, so she recommended it for a variety of inflammatory conditions. She had a new entry for each condition and just repeated her advice each time, but with a new personal story tacked on about how well it worked for her.

I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Patrica Liebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley for an Honest Review.
The wonderful and comprehensive book on Tea is filled with a plethora of knowledge and history of my favourite beverage Tea. I thought I knew a lot on the subject but this book tells it all from the different Teas to how to make Tea. The many wonderful Recipes are a delight as I will be able to now make them not only for the pleasure in taste and drinking but for my inner health. I would recommend this book for the millions of lovers of Tea and the drinkers of it.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting, but had more information than I wanted to read at this time; maybe a later date. For people fascinated with tea, its history, the differences, and more, it would be a good book to read.

[Lisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. There is so much information about tea, remedies and cures recipes and delicious pairing all of which I never knew.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea.

[Jennifer M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
I love all things tea, and this book is no exception. The book explains different types of teas and how to make them. There's even a section for health benefits of tea. At the end of the book are tea recipes that sound fascinating.

[Doreena]

I found this book extremely entertaining and educational. I am definitely going to delve into the world of tea deeper because of this book.

[Orsayor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative Read...

[Kathy McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much great information, this book was obviously well-researched. But, for me, the writing style was distracting. So much repetition of information; same facts in multiple chapters.

[Pamela Gunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a devoted tea drinker (NEVER coffee), I couldn't wait to dig into this one, with a cuppa next to me of course! Cal Orey covers just about everything you need to know about tea. The different colors (black, white, green, and red), the health benefits of tea, losing weight with tea, health cures with tea, cleaning with tea and recipes with tea. This is a complete work about tea. I read a library copy, but I'm buying one for my shelves. It's a must have for tea drinkers!

[Elsa Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too long. Lots of irrelevant content, in my opinion, such as recipes. There are also lots of repetition. Some good tips and interesting facts though. I enjoyed the Q&A with tea masters/experts. I also like the way the author writes about her own likes and dislikes but still comprehensive enough for readers to make their own judgment. Doesn’t entice me to read the other books in the series though.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wanted to be a cookbook so bad. It felt like reading one of those recipe blogs where you have to hunt through 4 pages of anecdote before you get to the recipe except I wasn’t interested in the recipes. Am highly unlikely to recommend.

Gotta give the author props for inserting the time she robbed some vacationers of their food, stuck around to watch them hunt for their missing items, and even waved at them after having consumed the ill gotten goods.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a reference, plus detailed /annotated list of ingredients and their specific health benefits .I have been making my own tea mixes for a little while , and wanted to read something like this to help me with specific blends . I'm even harvesting our own dandelions from our property !

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book and very informative. Talks of different teas and has recipes -tea infused recipes and other recipes to have with tea.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information about the different types of tea, black, green, white, oolong, and herbal teas. Plus recipes.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, good for light reading, with easy suggestions to include tea in your everyday life.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Donna Francisco · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start

[Books In Brogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and informative reference guide with lot of details on different teas and how they can help relive some symptoms in a safe and easy way.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love tea! From the basic English Breakfast tea through a huge range of herbal tisanes and was looking forward to reading this book. The Healing Powers if Tea is filled with information on the history and use of various teas and includes many recipes for creating tasty and healthful concoctions.

An interesting and insightful look at the many different uses of tea as a health drink.

[RedRobinXXX · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book for a Cal Orey, Kensington Books, and NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review.
Apart from Builders Tea (white and sugary) I had no experience with tea as I was growing up. When I first left home I tried a few fruit and herbal teas but they didn’t appeal to my taste buds. But how time changes … as now I drink all sorts of tea – apart from the original builder tea!
I loved the inclusion of how tea can be used in so many aspects of our lives including in food! There was also a lot of information about tea, which I have skimmed over, but will go back and read in more detail, as this is one of those books you can dip in and out off.