Two Leaves and a Bud
February is American Heart Month and in this month's newsletter, we focus on some teas and herbs that may support heart health and reduce the risks of cardiovascular issues and disease. Some important changes in the shop that will take effect in March are also announced below and I apologize beforehand for its length and the short notice .

Lastly, please note that the shop will be closed on Thursday, March 12th.
 
Please feel free to let me know your thoughts about the content of the newsletter or if you have any tea questions that can be covered in a future newsletter.
Did you know?
If you have a large tea order to purchase and want to shorten the pick-up process, especially if we're busy when you arrive, feel free to email your order or place it online ! For both options, you may pay and/or add to your order at the shop.
*Emailed orders: please email  [email protected] and include your name, quantity and name of tea/tisane, and the date and approximate time you're looking to pick up.
*Online orders:  shop at   www.pleasuresoftea.com, select Pick up at shop as your delivery option, and in the Comments Section of the order, please include date and time of pick up and any teas you couldn't find on the website. You will need to provide credit card information, but your order will only be charged at pick up.
 
Please Note:  Our online shop at www.pleasuresoftea.com needs to be rebuilt, as customers using Apple products have been unable to place orders. In the meantime, if you experience an issue placing an online order, you may email your order to [email protected] and an invoice will be sent to you through PayPal for payment. Orders may also be placed by calling 631-278-5755 - please leave a message if we are unable to take your call. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work toward providing a convenient way to order online.
Teas & Herbs to Support Cardiovascular Health
 
Heart and other cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among Americans. While there are many factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, it is in this area where the research on the claimed health benefits of tea may provide the greatest impact. In addition, there are several herbs that have been used in traditional medicinal practices that may also serve as valuable tools in maintaining cardiovascular health or addressing certain issues. Teas and herbs will provide the greatest benefit to cardiovascular health as one component of a healthy lifestyle, including dietary choices, activity/exercise, and stress-relieving practices.
 
Much research has been conducted on the potential health benefits of tea and regular consumption of our favorite beverage really shines in the realm of cardiovascular support and protection. Many studies have provided evidence that several types of polyphenols and other phytonutrients in tea may help to improve endothelial function, reduce LDL cholesterol, and reduce or eliminate the deposit of blood lipids, i.e. formation of plaque, on the walls of the arteries and blood vessels. This, in turn, results in the potential reduction in the risk of heart attack, stroke, arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Plaque deposits reduce the pliability of the artery and blood vessel walls and narrow the space for blood to flow. The narrowing of the vessels may increase blood pressure, so keeping the vessels open will maintain a healthy blood pressure or potentially reduce one that is slightly elevated. 

Various studies included different types of tea and they also considered quantity consumed. While the exact mechanism of how the teas' various polyphenols may provide protection is not yet understood, it is believed that the total polyphenol content is key and that the amino acid L-theanine may also play a role. While each of the teas contain similar levels of total polyphenols, the levels of various types of polyphenols may vary due to how the leaves are processed into the different types of tea. For example, it was found that the catechins contained in all teas, but in higher levels in green tea, and the theaflavins and thearubigens found in the black and wulong teas provided similar cardiovascular benefits. The greatest benefits were found in those who consume three to six cups of tea daily, but some protection was also found in those drinking one to two cups of tea per day.  It is important to note, however, that a study conducted in 2006 found that the addition of milk to tea prevents the positive cardiovascular benefits from taking effect.
 
There are many herbs that may support cardiovascular health or address specific issues. They are naturally caffeine-free and serve as great additions to a tea regimen. The majority of the herbs need to be selected based on the specific issue and the constitution of the person, and some may interact with heart and related medications. As a result, only a few broad scope and "generally regarded as safe" herbs are listed here. 
  • Hawthorn Berries and Leaves - cardiovascular tonic that tones and improves the function of blood vessel endothelium. It also provides a vasodilative effect to improve blood flow.
  • Hibiscus Blossoms - has long been used as a remedy to address elevated blood pressure. Recent research has also shown that regularly consuming hibiscus as a tea may lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  • Ginger Root - a warming stimulant that improves blood flow. Recent research indicates that consuming ginger regularly may reduce LDL cholesterol. 
All teas may provide equal cardiovascular benefits and several herbs also support cardiovascular health. Benefits may be realized by drinking as few as one cup of quality tea per day, so select any good quality tea that you will enjoy and drink often! All above herbs are available for sale in our shop.

Important Shop Update
If you visited my shop prior to last summer, you most likely noticed that some changes were made in the shop if you visited any time after July. I apologize that no explanations were provided to you at the time the changes were announced and for the non-answers I gave to many of you who inquired about them. After much thought, I have decided to provide some insight to you now. Some of you are aware that I have autoimmune disease - actually several of them. I have been dealing with the daily challenges that come along with them for the past 30 years and about a year ago I noticed that some new issues were arising in my body. My teas and herbs help to support my health and they enable me to function as well as I do; however, they are not a cure for my conditions and they are only a part of my holistic lifestyle. I began to adjust my self-care routine and then needed to make adjustments in the shop to try to alleviate some of the physical and mental demands of working there in order to stop the progression of the condition. Unfortunately, these changes did not provide the results I was looking for and I will need to implement some additional changes while I continue to work with my doctors to figure it all out. I am not yet ready to hang up my tea scoop and I do not believe in limiting myself, but I do need to be mindful of my limitations - in my mind I believe that I'm "wonder woman" until my body delivers a strong dose of reality and reminds me that, alas, I am not ;)
 
I continue to be humbled and honored that so many of you have put your trust in me for quality tea, knowledgeable service, stress relief, and friendship. My goal is to be able to still have a physical storefront where I can continue to provide you with the teas and personalized service that you expect. I deliberated for a long time about whether to share this information with you, as I generally do not like to talk about my condition, unless it is relevant to something that one of you have gone or are currently going through. I do not share this for pity, but rather as an explanation for the new changes that are going to be implemented. I know this may be a surprise to many of you and I truly appreciate the concern that many of you have been expressing over the past few months. Moving forward, I have one small request - please do not ask me how I am feeling when you visit the shop, as I would like to keep my focus on how best I can assist you and the others in the shop and not be reminded that I may not feel like I'm at my best. For those of you who would like to show your support, a smile would make my day. And now for the new changes:
  1. Beginning March 2, the shop will now be closed on Wednesdays in addition to Mondays and Tuesdays.
  2. Beginning March 2, the shop will be closing at 5:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays; Saturday and Sunday hours will remain the same. I will make myself available on Thursdays and Fridays between 5:00 and 6:00 PM for pre-order, pre-arranged pick-ups only. Please email your order to [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance and I will confirm if I will be able to accommodate on the requested day. Prepared teas or browsing in the shop cannot be accommodated during this time.
  3. The primary focus of the shop will need to return to retail in order to keep a manageable flow in the shop, but prepared teas and a limited small bites menu will continue to be served. I request that you please plan your visit for about one hour, particularly for drinking-only visits and especially when the shop is packed.
  4. Our normal shop closures in January, June and September will continue, but they will now be 2 weeks, instead of 1. These breaks will continue to be announced 3 months in advance.
  5. Additional closure days may be necessary, although not ideal and will be kept to a minimum, and notifications will be provided in as timely manner as possible. As always - PLEASE visit our website www.infuseteabarny.com for all current hours (Google is not our website and may not provide the most accurate info!). Hours updates will also be communicated in our monthly newsletter and on our facebook page Infuse Tea Bar by The Pleasures of Tea.
  6. Thank you to all who have been using the pre-order process. I am happy that it has been working well to reduce your wait time and it greatly helps the workflow in the shop. This process is encouraged, particularly when a large order is being picked up - details are provided above in the Did You Know? section.
  7. I would like to thank all of you who have asked me about the tasting workshops. I love to offer them and the educator in me gets so geeky and thrilled when you continue your journey through tea and get as excited as I do in exploring the teas and leaves. At this time, however, I have no plans to schedule any tasting workshops in the near future, but I will assess this over the next several months.
  8. For those of you who plan to arrive at the shop promptly at 11:00 when it opens, I apologize beforehand if I am running a few minutes late.
I truly am sorry that these additional changes are being implemented, thereby reducing the experiences I know so many of you have come to love and look forward to. I tried to push them off as long as I could and will continue to retain the core essence of the shop. I thank you in advance for your continued support and am committed and looking forward to continuing to be your source for teas and tisanes, tea education, and stress relief :)

New at the Shop

New macarons have arrived just in time for Valentine's Day - Champagne Brut, Champagne Rose, and Cookies n' Cream! Macarons and tea make the perfect gift :)  
The Pleasures of Tea & Infuse Tea Bar 
106 Main Street, West Sayville
631-567-4TEA (4832)
InfuseTeaBarNY.com - shop info, hours, event calendar
PleasuresOfTea.com - online shop, info about tea, past newsletters
 
Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert
Student of the Art & Science of Vitalist Herbalism

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