You'll notice I said "use" instead of "drink". We are all aware that tea is usually thought of as a drink, but there are other uses for it as well.

I usually make a pot of tea just before meditation. I find it relaxes me, takes most of the tension and stress of the day away, and puts me in a thoughtful frame of mind. I will also have some tea before I go to sleep, and I especially like to have a cup of Hojicha by my bedside while reading, watching television, or just reflecting on my day. Unfortunately, my fiancee thinks I make the best pot of coffee she's ever had, and I try to make a different coffee each morning, but when she's not around, I'll start my day with a good Yunan. Now THAT'S a TREAT!

There are other things one can do with tea as well, though. Black or green tea can be used as a hair rinse. While it will dry your hair, if a conditioner is used after a tea rinse, you might find it will add body and sheen after a shampoo.

Japanese green tea can be made into a face mask, and is quite good for the skin.

I also have a surprising number of recipes which call for either brewed tea or the leaves themselves. (One obviously can't use tea bags for the latter!)

Lastly, there is also the practice of reading tea leafs.

So. Let's sum this up. Tea is a drink which can wake you up or help you sleep or relax, and a skin conditioner, and a hair care product, and an ingredient for cooking and baking, and an aid to meditation, and finally an oracle. What other single item in you kitchen is so versitile?

Till next time, keep doing whatever you do with tea, and ENJOY!