I just tried to do nothing for 2 minutes. I sat in front of my computer watching an image of a sea while listening to the sound of crashing waves, without touching my mouse or key pad. It worked for approximately ten secundes. Then my eyes darted around the room, searching for something to occupy my thoughts. I then recrossed my thighs and cleared my throat. I then ran through my to-do list, which included a need to receive my itchy little fingers on the computer so I could check out the media! Finally the two minutes elapsed. But I can not honestly say I did nothing. In actuality, if my life depended on having the ability to fully block the mind chatter and internal antsiness which goes along with it, I’d say I’m in hot water.
Maybe that is where I want to be!
Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches hot water is far better to drink than chilly. When we drink cold water our bodies need to use energy to heat it up. Whereas hot or warm water is immediately consumed, calms the stomach and aids in digestion. Another thing about drinking hot water is that it is like taking an inner hot bath. You may say hot water is the poor man’s anti-anxiety representative, calming our nerves how a hot beverage can while soothing away the anxiety and tension we maintain in our stomachs.
Give it a try!
I prefer drinking warm water in the colder months, though it’s boring and the water tastes somewhat musty to me. It’s often all I want to calm down when I’m stressed and overwhelmed. But hot water in Spring and Summer? I don’t think so. So here is my compromise. Chamomile sun-tea. It tastes fine at room temperature, delicious ice cold on these super-hot Chicago times and relaxing warmed up at night.
It will not be long until those glowing miniature daisies will be popping in our back yards. They bloom from late Spring through late Summer that will give us lots of chances to make sun tea. Just take 1/4 cup freshly trimmed flowers rinsed in cold water. Place them in a clean glass jar or container with four cups of water. Seal the jar or cover a pitcher or bowl with a plate or cheesecloth held in place with a rubber ring. Let the jar in extreme in direct sunlight for eight hours or longer.
About Chamomile
Its title comes from the Greek for “ground apple” due to its apple-like odor, but expect the flavor to be refreshing and floral with hints of lemon and banana. For another taste try including mint, verbena or fresh strawberry, apple or peach slices. Strain the blossoms before drinking up a thirst-quenching curative glassful.
Therapeutic Chamomile
That’s right. Chamomile has many therapeutic applications. Early Egyptians used the herb to cool fever brought on by malaria. Here are some additional suggestions for how Chamomile can soothe assist. Add a cupful of flowers to a warm bath and soak for twenty minutes. To ease insomnia or calm an upset stomach, drink a cup of Chamomile tea before bedtime (two tablespoons of flowers in 2 cups of boiling water steeped for ten minutes should do it). Soothe burns with a poultice made with Chamomile blossoms. A trendy Chamomile tea compress may be a balm for irritated and strained eyes. Is it that time of the month? Chamomile can alleviate menstrual cramps.
I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, Chamomile is among the most loved and useful herbs known to man. Anybody can benefit from Chamomile, but probably it is best suited for those people who can not sit still for two minutes. So in case you would like to drink at a sunny, calm disposition this year, plant some Chamomile and develop your own calm.
