The Paleo Mama

Homegrown and Handmade

Jackie Ritz

Sandalwood Essential Oil Uses

by 1 Comment

Sandalwood is a name given to a class of fragrant woods that, unlike other aromatic woods, can retain their fragrance for decades. Sandalwood essential oil is extracted through steam distillation of pieces of wood from matured Sandalwood trees which are 40-80 years old, although 80 years is preferred. The older the tree, the more oil is available, and the aroma is stronger. For centuries, sandalwood has reserved a place of dignity and respect in many civilizations and religions of the world, especially in the Hindu Religion, where it is considered holy and indispensable in almost all of the social and religious rituals and ceremonies, from the birth of an individual until their death.

The main chemical components of Sandalwood essential oil are: Alpha Santalol, Beta Santalol, Santyl Acetate and Santalenes. 

Where to buy therapeutic-grade Sandalwood? 

Click here to purchase therapeutic, high-quality sandalwood essential oil. 

What are the benefits of Sandalwood Essential Oil?

Sandalwood essential oil has some really remarkable benefits. Some of its primary benefits are:

  • One of the top benefits of Sandalwood essential oil is its ability to promote healthy looking, smooth skin. Applying Sandalwood to the skin will not only promote a smooth complexion, but can also be helpful in reducing the appearance of skin imperfections. As you can see, there are many benefits to making Sandalwood essential oil a regular part of your skincare routine. 
     
  • To use Sandalwood essential oil for your skin, try creating your own at-home spa experience by doing the following: fill a large bowl with steaming water, apply one to two drops of Sandalwood essential oil to your face, and cover your head with a towel. Next, place your face over the steaming water. This at-home spa treatment will leave your skin feeling nourished and rejuvenated. 
     
  • Sandalwood essential oil is also useful for enhancing your mood. The grounding, balancing aroma of Sandalwood will help settle and balance emotions. To take advantage of these benefits, apply one to two drops of Sandalwood essential oil to the palms of your hands. Then, cup your hands around your nose and inhale for up to 30 seconds. This will help lessen tension and balance emotions. 
     
  • While there are many applications for Sandalwood essential oil on the body and inside the home, it can also be a gardener’s best friend. Studies have shown that Sandalwood essential oil can have positive effects on garden plants. In one study, researchers sprayed several species of plants with a solution of Sandalwood essential oil. After being sprayed, results showed that the essential oil helped the plants cope with environmental stress. If there are plants in your garden that need help surviving times of environmental stress, consider using a Sandalwood essential oil solution to save the day. 
     
  • Along with serious benefits for skin and complexion, Sandalwood essential oil also holds benefits for hair. If you want to use Sandalwood essential oil on your hair, simply apply one or two drops of the oil to wet hair. Sandalwood will give your hair extra shine by restoring moisture to your strands. An easy way to work Sandalwood essential oil into your regular haircare regimen is to add a few drops to your daily shampoo or conditioner. 
     
  • One of the most common uses for Sandalwood oil is for meditation, due to its grounding and mood-enhancing properties. The sweet, woody aroma of Sandalwood is known to enhance mood—which is why the oil has been used in meditation for centuries. Consider diffusing Sandalwood in your bedroom after a long, stressful day, or before meditation to promote an uplifting atmosphere. 
     
  • Not only is Sandalwood essential oil good for the complexion, but it can also contribute to a smooth, comfortable shave. This DIY Shaving Cream uses some of the best oils for skin—Peppermint, Sandalwood, and Tea Tree oil. Combining these soothing oils with shea butter and coconut oil will leave your skin smooth and moisturized after every shave. Perfect for men and women, this comforting concoction is easy to make, and will provide you with a close shave every time. 
     
  • While Sandalwood essential oil is helpful for meditation sessions, it can also provide a soothing, relaxed atmosphere even when you aren’t meditating. If you like to relax by taking a hot bath, Sandalwood can create a soothing atmosphere at bath time. After a long day at work or an afternoon of taking care of the kids, or any time you need a little balance, add one to two drops of Sandalwood essential oil to a hot bath to reduce feelings of stress and promote relaxation.
     
  • Because it provides grounding effects, Sandalwood essential oil can also be helpful at bedtime. Diffuse Sandalwood next to your bed as you are going to sleep to help promote a relaxing environment for a restful night’s sleep. You can also apply a few drops of Sandalwood essential oil to the back of your neck before going to sleep to promote an atmosphere that will lead to restful sleep. 

What are Sandalwood’s cautions?

Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

Top Ten Uses for Sandalwood Essential Oil

  1. Sandalwood oil can bring mental focus and clarity when used in your diffuser. Add 3-4 drops to your diffuser or try inhaling some sandalwood oil the next time you have a big deadline that requires focus and calm.
  2. It is beneficial to reduce irritation from mild skin irritations. Add 2-3 drops to a carrier oil and apply over the areas of skin irritation. It can also be applied directly if desired using a Q-tip or cotton ball.
  3. Sandalwood is excellent at easing coughs.  Add a few drops to a tissue or washcloth and inhale to help reduce the severity and duration of a cough.
  4. Sandalwood is high in antioxidants that can help reduce damage caused by free radicals, which promote aging. Try adding 5 drops of sandalwood oil to an unscented lotion and applying it directly to the face for anti-aging benefits.
  5. It can help to eliminate occasional digestive discomfort. Add 8-10 drops in bath water and take a nice long soak. You can also add 2-3 drops to a carrier oil and massage into lower back and abdomen.
  6. For chapped, dry, or cracked skin, mix 2-3 drops with coconut oil and rub into the affected areas.
  7. Sandalwood oil can be used as an insect repellent. Use 2-3 drops in your diffuser in the area where you need protection from insects.
  8. Sandalwood oil can be diluted and used as a gargle if you have a sore or dry throat.
  9. You can apply 1-2 drops of Sandalwood oil to clean, wet hair to help restore moisture and give hair a silky shine. This is my favorite way to use Sandalwood! 
  10. Sandalwood oil can even help to resolve the problem of uneven suntans. Mix 5 teaspoons of coconut oil with two teaspoons of jojoba oil and 7-10 drops of Sandalwood essential oil. Massage this into overexposed areas. Sandalwood helps break down the pigment that has reached the surface of the skin and will leave you with a more even skin tone. (source) 

Where to  purchase Sandalwood essential oil

Home-made Sandalwood Essential Oil Recipe

It is easy to make your own Sandalwood Perfume recipes with essential oils. Sandalwood is a perfect base note. It creates depth to a perfume, so it can be blended in many different ways. Try making your choice of these four perfumes using Sandalwood blends: Aphrodisiac, Serenity, Lift Your Spirit, and Beautiful. You can find the recipes for each one here.

Sandalwood and Emotions

Sandalwood is the oil of sacred devotion. It assist with all kinds of prayer, meditation, and spiritual worship. This oil has been used since ancient times for its powerful ability to calm the mind, still the heart, and prepare the spirit to commune with God. It assists in quieting the mind so that individuals may hear the subtle voice of the Spirit. It teaches true humility, devotion, and love for the Divine. (source) 

Companion Oils: Oregano, Frankincense, Myrrh

Sandalwood Essential Oil Pin

Sources

  1. https://www.doterratools.com/documents/Sandalwood_%28Indian%29_Essential_Oil_Product_Information_Page.pdf
  2. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/sandalwood-essential-oil.html
  3. https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/sandalwood-oil.aspx
  4. https://thehealthyhavenblog.com/2014/01/24/suggested-uses-for-sandalwood-essential-oil/
  5. https://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/sandalwood-essential-oil.html

Pregnancy Essential Oil Support Kit

by 1 Comment

Pregnancy is one of those times where pregnant women reach for toxic solutions to their most common pregnancy symptoms. Hey, I did the same thing. My former self was oblivious to what I was using and putting in my body during pregnancy. 

That was when I started asking questions….

“What side effects does this cause?” 

“How does this affect my baby?” 

I now use and recommend doTERRA essential oils to many, many pregnant women to date. doTERRA essential oils are pure, free of pollutants, synthetics, and contaminants and ethically and sustainably sourced. 

As someone who has suffered multiple miscarriages, I am extremely careful with ANYTHING I put on my body, including essential oils. It is common for you to do a google search and find all kinds of warnings about using essential oils if you are pregnant. It’s sad that much of that uneducated advice scares many women into running to the convenient store and using something off the shelf (that has way more side effects and toxins). 

Essential oils that are laden with impurities and synthetics DO pose a legitimate threat to women who are pregnant. This is what led me to doTERRA. They have a  stringent 11 method testings for EVERY, single batch of essential oil and their transparency about the oil is above reproach. 

With that being said, I do not know your body, only my own, and when I am pregnant I make sure I stick to the advice that comes from NAHA on what oils to avoid during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. This is one of the best lists I can find that comes from a very reputable source. 

Essential oils to avoid during pregnancy

The beautiful thing about essential oils is that there are MANY alternatives for these oils that are not recommended during pregnancy. 

If you have never used essential oils before, please talk with your midwife or OBGYN doctor before beginning ANY new health protocol. But most of all, do your own research and homework and learn the basics of essential oil usage. 

I, personally, do not use oils internally in my first trimester of pregnancy. There are 2 other powerful ways to use essential oils during the first trimester and those are aromatically and topically. This is a matter of opinion based on what I know of MY BODY. Seek out guidance from your midwife or aromatherapist before taking essential oils internally. And NEVER take just any essential oil internally! Make sure they are extremely pure, like doTERRA. 

I don’t know about you, but my skin was super sensitive during pregnancy. Make sure you dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut oil. You, simply, add a drop or two of essential oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil and apply to your area of concern. 

With all this in mind, this is my pregnancy essential oil support kit that you CAN PURCHASE from me! Details below. 

Pregnancy Essential Oil Support Kit 

 $150 + shipping

This price includes your wholesale membership so that you can purchase any oils you need in the future at 25% off!

pregnancy-kit

AromaTouch “Massage” Blend. doTERRA’s proprietary blend, combines the unique benefits of oils known to provide relaxing and comforting effects to your joints and muscles and lessen tension. This blend includes Cypress, Peppermint, Marjoram, Basil, Grapefruit, and Lavender which is perfect for those sore and tired feet. Use some coconut oil and add a few drops of AromaTouch to the coconut oil. Apply on any sore or tired muscles, joints, or bones. This blend is excellent for back labor!

Balance “Grounding” Blend. This blend has a warm, woody aroma that creates a sense of calmness and well-being. When you’re pregnant, your hormones and emotions are all over the place. This blend includes the oils of Spruce, Ho Wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy “Tanacetum annuum” essential oil  (not to be confused with the oil from common Tansy “Tanacetum vulgare” which is not recommended during pregnancy), Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus which help to ease anxious feelings and promote a sense of relaxation. This is a common blend that is diffused during childbirth! I like to apply this to my wrists and back of my neck as a daily perfume to help me feel more grounded and balanced emotionally. 

Melaleuca “Tea Tree” Oil. So when I was pregnant, my hair did some wacky things, including falling out. I, also, had red patches on my skin and definitely was not lucky enough to have that “pregnancy glow” that so many people are blessed with. Melaleuca is known for it’s cleansing and rejuvenating effects on the skin. It’s also an incredible immune booster and can help protect you from environmental threats. 

OnGuard “Protective” blend. This is another powerful immune boosting blend that is a great alternative to synthetic options for immune support. It includes the combination of Wild Orange, Clove Bud, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary essential oils. I recommend this blend to be diluted if you are using it topically because it includes some “warmer” oils. My recommendation to pregnant women is to diffuse this blend in their home to help boost their immune function. 

Lavender Oil. This essential oil is cherished for it’s unmistakable aroma and powerful benefits of calming and relaxing. For pregnant women, this is a necessity. I like to apply topically to my shoulders before bed (or put a drop on my pillow) and/or to add a few drops to an essential oil diffuser. Another great way to use Lavender during pregnancy is to take a relaxing bath with it. Fill your tub up and add 1 cup of epsom salt and 10 drops of lavender! 

Wild Orange. This is a fantastic oil to help you wake up! It increases alertness and is very energizing. Pregnant mamas – can I get an AMEN! It has a very uplifting and invigorating scent to it. You can also use it to clean with. Just add 10 drops to about a cup of vinegar and wipe down your sinks, counters, bathrooms and toilets. It contains no toxic chemicals that pregnant women should not breathing in! 

Peppermint. This will be your go-to oil in the first trimester, ladies. It can help reduce bloating, gas, and occasional digestion. I recommend adding a few drops to your hand and then add a teaspoon of coconut oil. Rub over belly in a circular motion. It also is wonderful for promoting healthy body temperature, so if you are feeling overheated, you can add a few drops to the back of your neck. Another benefit of peppermint is that it promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing, so if you have the sniffles, then sniffing peppermint directly out the bottle is very beneficial. Ps – it is suggested to not use peppermint essential oil at the end of your pregnancy or during breastfeeding because it *could* diminish breast milk supply. 

Deep Blue “Soothing” blend (used 2-4 weeks after childbirth). This blend has very soothing and cooling effects on sore muscles and joints that you can feel almost immediately. It includes the oils of Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Blue Tansy, German Chamomile, Helichrysum, and Osmanthus. It can be extremely beneficial to postpartum mothers who are achy and have very tired muscles. Because of the Camphor and Wintergreen, this is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. AromaTouch blend is safer and has very similar benefits. 

Essential Oil Petal Diffuser. You will want to have a diffuser that you can add your oils to and you are able to enjoy the aromatic benefits of those essential oils. Diffusing is a very effective way to use oils during pregnancy, childbirth, and with your new baby. You simply fill up your diffuser with water and add 5-7 drops of essential oil to it. Diffusing during labor and childbirth is a very common way to promote a peaceful birthing experience. The petal diffuser in my Pregnancy Kit has three timed settings – 1, 2, and 4 hours – allowing you to customize the release of essential oils into the air. We use this as a nightlight as well for our children since you can turn off the LED light if you don’t want it. 

Fractionated Coconut Oil. This is a feather-light coconut oil that is in it’s liquid form. It won’t harden up on you and become difficult to use. It’s ideal for diluting your essential oils with and applying topically. It’s odorless too, so if you don’t like the smell of coconut, then there’s no worries of an off-putting smell…hello 1st trimester! 

To get started with the Basic Pregnancy Kit…

To get started with the basic pregnancy kit, CLICK HERE to choose your language and country to ship to and hit continue. Then on the next page choose WHOLESALE CUSTOMER (or Wellness Advocate if you want to sell) and hit continue. 

Next add your information and then add the AROMATOUCH DIFFUSED KIT to your order. Process your order and you’re done. You will receive a welcome email from me on more details on connecting with our online support community. 

Don’t forget the ADD-ONS! 

Basic Pregnancy Kit + Add-Ons = $252 + free bottle of Frankincense in December! 

Here are some doTERRA products that I recommend to add-on to your order. If you want a free bottle of Frankincense in December, make sure your order is over 200PV (around $200) 

add-ons

PB Assist Probiotics, $34.50. This is a probiotic capsule that has 6 billion CFUs of active probiotic cultures and soluble pre-biotic FOS. The wonderful thing about doTERRA’s probiotic, is that it is double-coated to protect those sensitive probiotic cultures from your stomach acid and ensures delivery into the small intestine. 

TerraZyme Digestive Enzymes, $37.50. This is a whole-food enzyme that supports healthy digestion and the body’s constant production of enzymes for critical healthy functions. Pregnant women need a good digestive enzyme and this one is the best I have found. You get 90 vegetable capsules and the recommended use is to take 1 digestive enzymes with each meal to help promotion healthy digestion. 

Serenity “Restful” Blend, $30. This blend of essential oils is like a big warm hug in a bottle. It calms emotions while creating a sense o peace and well-being. It has Lavender, Cedarwood, Ho Wood, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver, Vanilla Extract, and Hawaiian Sandalwood. I recommend pregnant mamas to diffuse this at night when they are having trouble sleeping and apply some to their wrists and back of neck when they have anxious feelings. 

To get started with the Basic Pregnancy Kit and Add-Ons…

To get started with the basic pregnancy kit, CLICK HERE to choose your language and country to ship to and hit continue. Then on the next page choose WHOLESALE CUSTOMER (or Wellness Advocate if you want to sell) and hit continue. 

Next add your information and then add the AROMATOUCH DIFFUSED KIT to your order!

Next type in the name of the add-ons you would like to add to your first order: PB Assist, TerraZyme and Serenity 15ml. Process your order and you’re done! 

You will receive a welcome email from me on more details on connecting with our online support community. 

Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy! 

Pregnancy Essential Oil Support Kit

What is Frankincense Oil Good For?

by 1 Comment

It seems fitting that Frankincense was one of the precious gifts presented by the Wise Men many years ago to Baby Jesus. Frankincense was known as a precious incense, very costly, and was burned ceremonially by the temple priests. Its gift from the Wise Men to Baby Jesus was a symbol of that little baby’s own gift to mankind as our King of kings.

Still renowned today as one of the most prized gift, this resin is used today in the form of a precious Frankincense oil. Frankincense oil has extraordinary health benefits that we are going to go into you, but I wanted to make sure you knew this very important news. During the month of December, Frankincense oil is a gift that I would like to give to you! When you purchase a qualifying starter kit through me, Frankincense oil is your for free! I want to give you this extraordinary oil that could help to “gift” you this holiday season with feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness. Hey, if it’s good enough for Baby Jesus, it’s good enough for you! 

Click here to learn how to get Frankincense oil for free during the month of December ’16! 

Its Powerful Benefits

Holidays—as wonderful as they are—can become so busy and chaotic that they zap us of the very energy and strength we need to accomplish all the things we deem so “important and necessary” to make the holiday so memorable to our families and friends. 

That’s when this powerful essential oil really shines. It has benefits that seem perfectly suited to counteract the chaos we have allowed into our lives at this time of year.

It promotes feelings of relaxation

dwp5-15_fc_tv-1-2

Relaxation?! Yes one of the primary benefits of Frankincense oil is its ability to promote feelings of relaxation and to balance our mood (which may have become a little Scrooge-like) as we rush into all the holiday preparations. 

Do you need a little relaxation? Try some of these ways to benefit from Frankincense’s powers.

  1. Have you reached the end of a chaotic day and find yourself filled with anxious feelings? Mix 1-2 drops of Frankincense essential oil with fractionated coconut oil and apply it to your temples and the back of your neck. Sit back and feel its comforting effect.
  2. The holidays bring more than chaos to your little ones—it brings excitement and anticipation. So much excitement and anticipation that bedtime becomes, shall we say, a little like a nightmare? Sleep seems impossible, and getting them relaxed and calm just doesn’t happen easily. Frankincense oil can help your children relax and be ready for bed. Try rubbing some of my Whipped Sleepytime Rub on your children’s feet before bedtime. Then spend a few quiet moments with them (you may want to rub some on your feet first!) reading a holiday story, or talking quietly about the importance of Christmas. 
  3. How about “the mood.” Do you have to admit that you are just a little Scrooge-like when you get home from a busy day? Remember that frankincense is a great mood balancer. Try diffusing it in the room as you gather for a calm evening meal, or diffuse it while you sit together as a family and try to relax. Say “bye bye” to the Scroogy mood by adding 3-4 drops of Frankincense oil to your diffuser along with 2-3 drops of Douglas Fir and 2-3 drops of Balance.

When we are tired, everything seems so very much worse.

—Jane Green

It supports healthy cellular function

I know…you aren’t really thinking about your cells right now. You’ve probably got cooking, shopping, decorating, wrapping, baking, partying, and lots of others things on your mind. But trust me—even our cells have trouble keeping up with the mad pace of the holidays. They need a little help with healthy regeneration, and Frankincense oil is just what can help with that. 

Try some of these helpful tips. 

  1. Maybe you’ve been neglecting your own healthy beauty regimen. Maybe the cold, blustery weather of the Christmas season has caused wind damage, drying your face, and causing some seasonal skin imperfections. Try making some of my DIY Facial Serum, which uses Frankincense oil along with Lavender and Geranium and Myrrh (another gift from the Wise Men to Baby Jesus). If you apply a drop or two of it before you go to bed, the powerful regenerative effects of Frankincense will restore your skin to its healthiest state.
  2. In the busyness of the season, it’s easy to find that you or your family members have gotten some minor cuts, scrapes. You can apply the power of Frankincense to these areas and find your health returning. Try mixing 1-2 drops with fractionated coconut oil and dabbing it gently on the affected areas.
  3. You can speed up the regeneration process by adding some frankincense veggie capsules to your daily supplementation. Put 1-2 drops in veggie capsule, and take one daily to support healthy cellular function. In this busy season you may find it beneficial to take two or three capsules each day.  (Only use high-quality essential oils internally like doTERRA). 

The cells in our body react to everything your mind says.

It is a wonderful support during periods of a weakened immune system

It’s almost a double whammy that the greatest problems with our immune system comes right at the same time as the holidays. Put several people together—including kids—who live in separate locations and experience diverse seasonal bugs, and it’s almost a given that someone, maybe everyone, is going to get a little under the weather! That’s when Frankincense can shine! Try some of these solutions.

  1. When you are gathered together as an extended family and group of friends, keep your diffuser (essential oil diffusers come in most of my essential oil starter kits HERE) working by diffusing 2-3 drops of Frankincense oil with 2-3 drops of On Guard near the party. Add a little Douglas Fir or Holiday Spirit oils, and you’ve instantly supplied the holiday aromas.
  2. If your little ones bring some seasonal symptoms from school or holiday parties, be ready with a rollerball filled with 4-5 drops of Frankincense and 4-5 drops of On Guard, then filled with fractionated coconut oil, so you can rub this healthy potion down their spine and on their feet daily, as needed. Here’s an article I wrote on using essential oils on kids. 
  3. Don’t forget that Frankincense oil is a natural household cleaner, and will help protect against environmental threats that linger on your counters and sinks . Use it in a diffuser to reduce indoor pollution, and add it to your favorite cleaner to disinfect any room or surface in your home. 

Happiness lies, first of all, in health.

—George William Curtis

How to Get Started Using Essential Oils:

Give yourself or someone you know the gift of Frankincense oil this season! During the month of December, you can get this highly prized essential oil for free! Simply get started in doTERRA as a wholesale customer and purchase a qualifying essential oil bundle. 

Click here to learn more about getting therapeutic grade essential oils at a discount! 

Holidays are a joyous time, meant to remind us of the vital importance of family and friends. However, with all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy for the joy of the season to turn into stress. Don’t let the spirit of Scrooge take over your life and the life of your family.

Access the power of Frankincense oil to keep you filled with peace and happiness—the real spirit of Christmas. 

Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. 

 frankincense-oil-pin

 

Time for a Teatox? The Scoop on Detox Teas

by 1 Comment

Generations ago our ancestors had very little reason to be concerned about toxins entering their bodies. They drank pure water and ate fresh, unpolluted organic foods that were grown on land never polluted with chemicals. But things have changed a lot for our generation. Especially in the last 60 years, more toxins have entered our environment that ever before. Toxins lodge is cells, tissue and muscles until our bodies are completely overwhelmed. And a companion problem is the fact that so many necessary nutrients have been completely destroyed in our land, our sources of meat, and our crops of fruits and vegetables. Add that to the fact that most Americans purchase as much as 80-90 percent of their foods, health products, and cleaning supplies from the chemically laden, toxin-filled canned, boxed, and packaged aisles in our grocery stores.

So it’s no big surprise that on many days—for no apparent reason—we feel sluggish, depressed, weak, and suffering from unexplained illnesses. Our bodies are being slowly poisoned because our detox systems are not strong enough to protect our bodies from all the toxins we are piling in.

I want to suggest one way we can begin to rid our bodies of these toxins —using detox teas. Let me quickly add that there is no one miracle way to do this. A detox tea will have little effect unless we are making many more healthy choices to eliminate toxins from our bodies and finding ways to prevent them from ever entering it.

Toxin Tragedies

Before we look at detox teas, let’s find out a bit more about the effect toxins have on our bodies. Here are a few things to think about:

  • Toxins accumulate in fat tissue and breast tissue.
  • Toxins like PCBs and dioxins affect your endocrine system, causing harmful health affects like decreased sperm count and testicular cancer in men, early puberty in girls, endometriosis in women and exposure to high levels of estrogen in babies.
  • Some toxins are persistent and stay in your body for many years.
  • Mothers can pass toxins to babies in the womb or while breastfeeding.
  • Toxins have a stronger effect on children’s developing bodies. Exposure can lead to conditions such as eczema, hives, asthma, headaches, dyslexia, irritability, infections, autism, PDD, ADHD and ADD.
  • Over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the US alone. Adults and children consume these pesticides, causing health problems like heart rate changes, nausea, muscle cramps, confusion, emotional instability, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and even death.
  • Seemingly innocent products like household cleaners and lawn care products contribute to your toxic load. 
  • Most beauty products are loaded with toxins. Your shampoo, toothpaste, body lotion, facial cream and other products may be causing aging and other harmful affects due to toxic chemicals in the ingredients. Even health food store products may contain toxic chemicals.
  • Over time, the daily onslaught of these toxins can clog up your detoxification pathways and lead to illness and dis-ease.[1]

It is so important for our health that we are doing all we can to support the proper function of our detox systems. One way we will look at to do just that is by using detox teas.

detox teas

The Benefits of Detox Teas

Detox teas have been around for years, especially among people who shopped at health-food stores or consulted with alternative practitioners. They’ve become big business today. Social media sites are filled with examples of celebrities, TV shows, and sports/fitness gurus praising their chosen detox tea. Have you ever wondered—“Do they really work? Are they safe?”

What you should know about detox teas

Before I give you some of the benefits, let me just mention some things we should know about detox teas.

  • Detox teas can contain ingredients that cause negative effects for some people. Before using any detox tea, be sure you know the ingredients and be sure you are not allergic to any of them.
  • Detox teas can increase or decrease the absorption of drugs or herbs you are taking at the same time. Be sure you know the side effects of the tea you are taking.
  • The diuretic effects of most detox teas can raise the risk of dehydration in some people.
  • Because many detox teas contain caffeine, it can interfere with getting enough sleep. Avoid them at least six hours before bedtime.

Detox teas need to work in partnership with a healthy diet. In order to really detoxify your body you need to also cut processed and fried foods, up your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and healthy fats. Once your diet is clean and gentle on your body, detoxifying teas can begin to do the work of getting rid of those pesky toxins.

Important benefits of detox teas

Now let’s look at some of the healthy benefits to detox tea.

  • Appetite Suppressant—detox teas have the effect of making you feel less hungry, and therefore, less likely to snack.
  • Aide Digestion—the natural compounds in most detox teas aid the digestive process and speed up the emptying of the colon, removing waste from the body.
  • Removes Toxins—the natural herbs in detox teas assist the liver in detoxifying the body of alcohol, caffeine, smoke, and other food additives. They lead to the improved activation of detox enzymes in the liver.
  • Boosts the Immune System—detox teas are high in antioxidants, which shield your body from free radicals that can trigger healthy issues.
  • Increases Metabolism—this allows your body to burn extra calories, even when you are at rest. Detox teas can have a thermogenic effect that burns fat and decreases fat storage in your body.

All of these benefits can get you on the journey to better health.

2016’s Best Detox Teas

detox teas

There are many detox teas available online. Unfortunately, not all of them are made with the purest of ingredients. If you are choosing a detox tea product there are 3 important qualities to watch for.

  • It contains research-proven ingredients.
  • The company making it is based in the USA.
  • It has minimal laxative effect.

Once you have checked these qualities, you can safely use a detox tea product. Some of the teas that have been rated best and healthiest are shown below:

Slimming Leaf Tea Combination —This combination includes one detox tea for daytime, and another for overnight. The teas are made by Cellular Research Institute in the United States. Crucial ingredients are free of exposure to harmful pollutants or toxins.

Green Root Wellness Organic Detox Tea —Rated as one of the Best and most effective cleansing diet tea’s for both Men and Women. 100% Organic Ingredients – Made with only the highest quality green tea and other natural herbal ingredients.

Dr. Stuart’s Hibiscus Ginger Goji Berry Tea —Hibiscus is considered by many to be one of the most powerful natural detoxifying ingredients, and it’s the star of this stimulating and refreshing blend. We make a Fire Cider Cold and Flu tonic using hibiscus (recipe here). 

Traditional Medicinals EveryDay Detox Tea —With ingredients like burdock and dandelion root, this tea helps promote healthy liver function.

MateFit 28-Day Detox Tea —Kiss unhealthy bacteria in the stomach and colon goodbye when you drink this down every other night.

Yogi Detox Tea —This brand has several great detox teas. As one of the brand’s best sellers, this detox tea gently supports the cleansing of organs like the liver and kidneys for an overall healthier you.[2]

DIY Detox Teas

Now you gotta know this could not be a Paleo Mama blog without some DIY recipes. You can make your own detox teas, and I have three recipes for you that could be the perfect solution to clear out those nasty toxins from your body. Here are some recipes for you to try.

Homemade Echinacea Tea

detox teas

Echinacea can be a super herb, both after a detox and generally for immune and system support. It increases the body’s overall ability to dispose of bacteria, infected and damaged cells, toxins and other harmful chemicals. We were fortunate to find that our farm came with a garden patch of Echinacea plants, and as I learned more about this plant, I discovered how useful it can be to help detox our bodies. I want to share with you my favorite Echinacea Tea recipe as well as much more information about the plant and its uses. You will find more information in my Echinacea blog here.

Ingredients

Directions

Simmer 8 ounces of water in a small pot over medium heat. Add the fresh or dried Echinacea. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain tea into a mug and add honey!

 I’ll let you in on a little “Ritz farm” secret—I am really attracted to the wonderful homemade Echinacea tea that I can brew from my perennially blooming Echinacea plants! Please read my blog to find out how to grow and harvest Echinacea, and to find a DIY recipe for Echinacea Tea.

Green Tea Detox Recipe

detox teas

Green tea is one of the most recommended ingredients for natural detoxing. There are many green detox tea recipes online, and one of my favorites is this one.

Ingredients

The ingredients you will use are:

  • Strawberries
  • Cucumber
  • Lemon
  • Green tea bag
  • Honey
  • Water

 To view the whole recipe, please go here. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Tea

I have known the tremendous benefits of apple cider vinegar (with the mother) for a long time, and try to incorporate it into my diet whenever possible. If you have not found out about the magical properties it has, I recommend you begin your own research right now! Aside from aiding your detox, apple cider vinegar can help cure even the gravest of conditions, but for detox purposes you have to drink it. It might be a bit difficult to wash down on its own, so here is a super simple apple cider vinegar detox tea recipe that you can make at home.

Ingredients

Go here to read the directions on how to make this ACV tea! 

“How Do I Use My Detox Tea?”

The many prepared detox tea products available will each have information for how to detox using that tea. But when you make your own detox tea, you may not be confident that you really know how to use it. I want to make a few suggestions for you here.

  1. Morning—as soon as you get out of bed, made a hot cup of your detox tea to wake up your organs and kick-start your metabolism. You can have another cup of the tea about a half hour later, if desired, which will give you the antioxidant, vitamin, and energy boost you need for the rest of the day.
  2. Daytime—throughout the day, drink several cups of your detox tea.
  3. Nighttime—drink a cup of your detox tea. If desired, you could add a teaspoon of a natural herb that has great effectiveness for cleansing your colon. Try Senna, ginger root, cayenne or fennel. This will help to provide you with an overnight colon cleanse.

Follow this routine for 7, 14, or 28 days at a time. Don’t forget to change your food and meal plans for a healthier menu at the same time. You will be surprised at all the benefits you see from this simple commitment to detoxing your body.

If we don’t take care of this, the most magnificent machine that you will ever be given.…where are you going to live?

—Karyn Calabrese

detox-teas
Image credit

[1] https://www.savvy-team.com/hww/the-dangers-of-toxic-deposits-in-your-body/

[2] The six teas mentioned in this section were found at: https://www.bestproducts.com/eats/drinks/g552/best-detox-tea-cleanses/?

“Cheater” Fire Cider Recipe

by 6 Comments

We have begun making Fire Cider as a part of our Home and Farm Apothecary.  Fire Cider is a homeopathic fermented tonic, praised for its flavors and its ability to fight off digestive bacteria and digestive problems. It’s a spicy, warming drink that usually contains horseradish, ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper.

Adding fermented foods and drinks to our eating plans is one of the top trending topics currently in health and wellness circles. I’m currently working on a blog post on “Fermented Superfoods,” which I can’t wait to share with you!

Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar created the first Fire Cider in her herbalist school kitchen in the early 1980s. She had a sincere desire to teach her students how to make herbal preparations that were as much food as they were medicines. Fire Cider was one of the early cross over recipes that came from her constant experimentation in medicinal herbalism.

I am so grateful for the contribution of herbalists like Rosemary Gladstar and my own herbalist instructor, Juliet Blankespoor of Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, who are helping people like me and others who are interested in knowing better how to use the natural herbs and plants of the earth to maximize the health of our families. I will tell you more about the great Herbalism school I attend in the post below.

What Is Fire Cider?

Fire Cider is a spicy hot deliciously sweet vinegar tonic. It is an especially healthy tonic to have available during the fall and winter months when seasonal colds and flus are creating havoc with many people’s health. 

When I first heard of Fire Cider and its variety of ingredients my first thought was the same of many others, “You want me to drink THAT?” The base ingredients include:

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Ginger
  • Horseradish
  • Hot peppers

Believe me, you would probably want to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth before you got too close to your loved ones after Fire Cider made only with those ingredients! There are plenty of other herbs that can be thrown in, with everyone opting to add in their own favorite choices. You can take Fire Cider straight—by the spoonful (or swig)—and I’ll share my favorite recipe for how to make that below.

Health Benefits of Fire Cider

The many health benefits of fire cider come from the ingredients used to make it. Let me list a few of the ingredients, showing each ingredient’s health benefits.

  • Horseradish—it has many antibacterial properties, and is used to fight bacteria. I stimulates digestion, and increases gastric secretions and appetite. It’s also a good diuretic, promoting perspiration, which is useful in treating colds, fevers, and flu. It is also an expectorant and mild antibiotic, useful with both respiratory and urinary tract infections.
  • Ginger—it helps to warm the stomach, ease vomiting and nausea, and fight off colds, chills, and cough. It is useful for all kinds of congestion in the body.
  • Garlic—it supports the immune function, and opens the pores, which helps to lower fever. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that are useful in treating kidney and bladder infections, yeast infections, strep throat and ear infections.
  • Cayenne—this herb is useful for increasing circulation. It also helps to get phlegm flowing. It is often used as a digestive aid to stimulate gastric juices. Many people have even found that cayenne can give relief from migraines.[1]
  • Raw Apple Cider Vinegar—there are many benefits to apple cider vinegar. The primary ones include: it can kill many types of bacteria, preventing them from multiplying or reaching harmful levels; it lowers blood sugar levels and fights diabetes; it lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease; and it may have protective effects against cancer.[2]
  • Honey—it has been called “liquid gold” because of its numerous benefits. A simple list of some include:
    • Alleviates allergies
    • Is an excellent source of all-natural energy
    • Boosts memory
    • Is a cough suppressant
    • Aid in sleeping
    • Treats dandruff
    • Can be used to treat wounds and cuts
  • Turmeric—this is one of the world’s healthiest foods. While once focused on anti-inflammatory benefits, decreased cancer risk, and support of detoxification, studies on turmeric intake now include its potential for improving cognitive function, blood sugar balance, and kidney function, as well as lessening the degree of severity associated with certain forms of arthritis and certain digestive disorders.[3]

So it’s easy to recognize why you want to have some fire cider ready when those achy, stuffy feelings appear suddenly. As for me, I just like to enjoy a dose of fire cider for no better reason than the homey, comforting and relaxing feelings it wakes up in me whenever I drink it.

They say food is the best medicine. In some cases, that truism can be taken quite literally.

My Favorite Fire Cider Recipe

I feel very honored that my Herbalist Instructor, Juliet Blankespoor of Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, has given me permission to share her Hibiscus Pomegranate Cheater Fire Cider recipe with you. I made this for my medicine making course and just LOVED it so much that I didn’t want to recreate my own or alter it in any way. Two of her main ingredients are: 

  • Hbiscus leaves (where to buy)—they help to clear harmful and unwanted toxins from your body, are a good skin cleanser, regulate hormonal balance, and boost energy. They give this fire cider the beautiful, deep red hue that makes it extra special!
  • Pomegranate—they reduce arthritis and joint pain, lower blood pressure, fight bacterial infections, and improve memory. You can use either the fruit or POM juice for this recipe. 

I have already given you (above) the health benefits for the other base ingredients used.

Image of Hibiscus taken by Juliet Blankespoor

In April, I applied for Juliet’s herbal medicine school and I have enjoyed every, single second of it. As an avid essential oil user, I debated back-and-forth about going to an aromatherapist school or an herbalist school. But since we have a farm and garden and I love growing things, I wanted to learn all about soil, plant propagation and the medicinal benefits of herbs that I can cultivate and grow in my own garden. I haven’t been disappointed one bit! This online herbalism school is even based out of my growing zone, which is helpful, but not important. Juliet is extremely detailed and her photography skills are incredible (which is very helpful when looking at parts of plants). 

The herbal immersion program is 1-2 years long and you have the option of earning an “herbalist” certificate. There is a shorter program for those who just want to learn some herbal medicine making and I would recommend that to anyone who wants to learn more about salves, tonics, body butters, beginning tincturing, and so much more. 

“Cheater” Fire Cider Recipe

re-posted with permission. Original recipe posted here. 

hibiscus-fire-cider-bb2

Let’s take a look at the recipe for this fire cider.  You will notice that this is a recipe for cheater fire cider. Why?  Typically fire cider is made by using a fermenting process of placing the ingredients in a glass jar and letting it sit for six weeks. This recipe is a one-day affair and you can use the cider made with this recipe immediately (especially helpful if you are making this because you are sick). If you would rather make a stronger cider by using the traditional fermenting time, you can use this same recipe, but hold the pomegranate juice to be added right before you strain the cider. You would also skip the heating part.

Juliet’s recipe makes eight to ten 8-ounce bottles, but since I know most of you are going to be making this for just home-use, I’m going to give you the amounts to make 2 8-ounce bottles. Double, triple or quadruple the recipe if you are making it for gifts!. This milder, sweeter Hibiscus pomegranate Fire Cider is a great way to become herbally initiated to its taste. (IDEA: it would make a great Holiday gift.) 

Ingredients

Directions: 

  1. Peel the garlic, and coarsely chop the onions, horseradish, and turmeric. Place them in a food processor or blender, along with the cayenne, with enough apple cider vinegar to cover. Blend carefully with the lid on, and take care not to let fumes or slurry enter your eyes.
  2. Place the slurried spiciness in a double boiler. Don’t have one? Nest a smaller pot in a bigger pot or saucepan and use a couple of upside-down mason jar rings to keep the inside pot up off the outside one. Add a little water to the outside pot and voila – double boiler! Add the rest of the apple cider vinegar to the slurry and keep the heat on low, with the lid on! Let the mixture heat on low (don’t let it get above 120 degrees) for three hours, stirring once in a while. Again, careful with the fumes!!!!
  3. Meanwhile, back at the bat cave, peel your oranges and de-seed the pomegranates, sneaking off a nibble or two. Put on an old apron and mash the pomegranates and oranges with a potato masher in the sink.
  4. After a couple hours, taste the slurry. If it’s too mild for your fire cider pleasure, this is your chance to add more of the spicy herbs and cook for one more hour. After three hours of total cook time, turn off the heat and add the hibiscus and the juicy pomegranate/orange mixture. Let sit for one hour and check the color- if it’s too light in color add more hibiscus. When the cider is a beautiful red, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or potato ricer. If it’s not a deep red, then throw some more hibiscus flowers in there until you get the color you desire.
  5. You will need to squeeze out or press the slurry, or you will loose a great deal of the medicine. Add the honey and mix well, making sure all the honey is dissolved. Place in clear glass jars, label and refrigerate. 

I love this Cheater Fire Cider recipe, and I’m pretty sure you will too. The dosage is one teaspoon as needed. My husband and I take one swig a day during the fall and winter months. If one of us is sick, we will take multiple swigs a day. 

This fire cider is TOO spicy for children. I recommend giving children (over 12 months) Elderberry Syrup during the fall and winter months. You can see my Elderberry Syrup recipe here. 

Get Started

This fire cider is one more healthy addition to your conscious effort to eat (or drink) more health-filled fermented foods. Get started now on your journey to better health.

A healthy body is a guest-chamber for the soul; a sick body is a prison.

—Francis Bacon

cheater fire cider

Sources

  1. https://www.healingspiritsherbfarm.com/recipe/fire-cider
  2. https://mountainroseblog.com/fire-cider/
  3. https://modernfarmer.com/2015/12/cold-remedies-fire-cider/

[1] These first four ingredient were adapted from: https://www.healingspiritsherbfarm.com/recipe/fire-cider

[2] https://authoritynutrition.com/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/

[3] https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=78

What’s the Matcha Tea Craze All About?

by 2 Comments

Matcha tea —the green powdered tea imported from Japan—has become one of the trendiest new superfoods. Most of us had never heard of it until one day we discovered that it was one of the hottest talking points in health and wellness websites. Matcha tea has been a part of Chinese and Japanese cultures for centuries, and is now taking the Western world by storm.

I heard about it a couple of years ago, and even prepared a guest blog from one blogger who had created a yummy version of Matcha tea—her Matcha Mate Almond Latte—to help her wean herself off her near addiction to black tea and coffee (Here).

Today, I want to explore just what it is that is driving the current Matcha Tea craze. We’ll look at:

  • Just what Matcha tea is.
  • What Matcha Tea’s superfood health benefits are.
  • How to enjoy Matcha Tea for yourself.

Just What Is Matcha Tea?

For many people, enjoying Matcha Tea is much more than benefitting from its health benefits—it is an experience. The moments spent with a warm cup of Matcha Tea in hand allow the person to experience positive mental wellbeing because of the tea’s cultural focus on meditation and spirituality. One leading tea expert and author sums it up this way: “Matcha is unique not only for its healthfulness and flavor, but because it combines the contradictory attributes of novelty and tradition.”[1]

Matcha is the tea used in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony known as chado. The formal ritual of chado is designed to lead toward spiritual awakening through four principles: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.[2] This is a positive concept to adopt, one that will allow us to slow down and cultivate a greater inner peace and outer harmony. In our American fast-paced, stress-filled culture, taking the time to unplug is a real luxury, and drinking Matcha Tea has become one way to do that. Even preparing the tea takes time—the water must be heated to just the right temperature, and the powder must be sifted, scooped, and whisked into a frothy frenzy before it’s ready to consume.

The Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

Matcha is much more than just another green tea.

  • It has a high concentration of polyphenols, catechins, and antioxidants. With these high concentrations, if can prevent cancer, help burn fat faster, and increase brain power.
  • It contains theanine, which has been shown to increase the natural levels of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glycine in our bodies. This can lead to reduced mental and physical stress.
  • Its green color indicates that it has a high amount of chlorophyll, just like broccoli, spinach, kale and other leafy greens.
  • It contains a powerful amount of caffeine, making it a great alternative to less healthy caffeinated sugary beverages. The caffeine helps to improve alertness and cognitive functioning, all while being healthy too.
  • It has even stronger obesity-fighting potential than regular green tea. It can significantly reduce hypertension.[3]

These are just a few of the benefits to drinking Matcha Tea. There are practical benefits too, things like:

  • It relaxes you without making you sleepy.
  • It delivers caffeine into the bloodstream in a much more measured way than coffee.
  • Its caffeine effects last up to 4-6 hours, compared to coffee’s high and then quick crash.
  • There is evidence that it has some weight loss benefits.

Its Cautions

There are many benefits to drinking this tea, but there are also some cautions. Matcha tea is highly concentrated, and contains about three times as much powerful antioxidants as regular green tea, and as much caffeine as coffee. When you drink Matcha, you are drinking a suspension of ground leaves infused in water, which is different than a regular cup of tea where you steep the tea and then remove the tea leaves.

When you buy matcha tea powder (or leaves), stick to matcha teas grown in Japan that have been tested for the presence of heavy metals. The tea from China is grown is soil contaminated with lead, which will absort into the leaves. Also look for good-quality matcha, which is bright, vivid green and has a fine powdery consistency. Avoid anything yellowish or coarse—it will not taste good.

How to Choose a Good Matcha:

Good matcha tea is expensive, costing anywhere from $25-$33 an ounce (a tin of 30 grams). Anything cheaper is not likely to have a good flavor. A 30-gram tin will give you about 30 cups of tea.

Also avoid the Americanized version of prepared matcha tea now popular. They are likely to have lots of added sugar which completely ruins the Matcha. I prefer to purchase my Matcha Tea from a Japanese source and labeled “ceremonial grade” (click here to buy). I spend a little extra for a high quality brand because I look at Matcha as more of a superfood and supplement than an actual drink.

I also make sure I use my small Matcha scoop and whisk so I use the exact amount of recommeded Matcha per cup! 

How to Enjoy Matcha Tea for Yourself

Image credit to Flickr
Image credit to Flickr

Why not try making your own experience with a cup of warm, healthy matcha tea? Remember—it’s an experience, not a quick pick-me-up! Once you have tried it, no doubt you will want to continue this relaxing experience.

Step 1: Fill a kettle with water and heat. Don’t bring to a boil 

Step 2: Add (or sift) 1 teaspoon of matcha to a bowl. 

Step 3: Add 2 oz of hot water (not boiling) to the bowl. I use my matcha spoon to add the perfect amount. 

Step 4: Whisk until the tea is frothy using your bamboo (or wire) whisk. 

Step 5: Add 4 more oz of hot water, stir, and enjoy! Drink it out of the bowl or pour it into a mug. 

There are many ways to enjoy Matcha Tea. Here are just a few:

  1. Try Iced Matcha Milk, using almond milk or coconut milk for a healthy, unique tasting drink.
  2. Instead of adding sugar to your coffee, use high-quality matcha to add a sweet aftertaste with an antioxidant boost.
  3. If you like buttered coffee as much as I do, try adding a tsp. of matcha powder to your buttered morning coffee. What a way to start your day!
  4. Add a bit to naturally sweet Tabbouleh (bulgur, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil). Add it to your recipe when you add the tomatoes and parsley.
  5. Blend a little matcha powder into the cream cheese you top your bagel with in the morning.
  6. Make a creamy spread to use on sandwiches and burgers by chopping and steaming a bunch of kale, then blending in ½ tsp matcha powder and ½ cup walnut. Use your food processor to complete the spread.
  7. Stir a little matcha into your guacamole recipe just before you mash the ingredients together.

 

Matcha Mate Almond Latte

My guest blogger created this energizing and yummy to distract herself from morning coffee cravings. 

Ingredients

  • Yerba Mate—this is a traditional South American tea made from the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant.
  • Matcha—the superfood green powder we’ve been introducing in this post.
  • Unsweetened Almond Milk
  • Sweetener—a touch of honey or maple syrup balances the mild bitterness of the matcha.
  • Flavoring—the recipe used cardamom, but you could also try pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla, or almond extract. If you love essential oils like I do, add your favorite essential oil flavor.

You can follow the recipe directions in the blog to make this warm and creamy morning drink. Click here to see the full recipe! 

 

Get Started

Any current trend got its claim to fame as more and more people tried it. Matcha Tea is one of the top ten trends in the health and wellness fields right now, so it’s obvious that a lot of people have tried it—and stuck with it. Why not give it a try yourself?

There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.

—Lin Yutang

image credit
image credit

Sources

  1. https://hauteliving.com/2016/07/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-latest-matcha-craze/616857/
  2. https://www.eater.com/drinks/2015/2/11/8006039/everything-you-need-to-know-about-matcha
  3. https://vibrantwellnessjournal.com/2015/10/19/matcha-green-tea-food-trend/

[1] Quoted by James Norwood Pratt.

[2] https://www.huffingtonpost.com/christie-carmelle-lopez/get-it-while-its-hot-matc_b_9117056.html

[3] These health benefits adapted from: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/matcha-craze