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Why can't I fall asleep!?  Learn Herbal Remedies for Insomnia:

I've have had difficulty sleeping for the majority of my life and lately with the stress of school and late nights, my sleeping patterns are way out of wack. Not wanting to take prescription sleeping pills, It was time I discovered some herbal remedies for insomnia.

I've tried many different remedies : melatonin, warm milk, listening to classical music and nothing has been as consistent as having a cup of tea a half hour before hitting the hay.

Having the same sleep-deprivation issues? Try these teas to see if it will help soothe your soul and quiet your brain for a restful nights sleep:

• Chamomile : it is a sedative herb that is popular in countries such as Mexico and England for insomnia. It is also a popular ingredient in bath oils meant to soothe before bedtime.
  
  
• Hops :  It has been used as a sedative for insomnia triggered by worry or weak nerves in the 1900s. It has also been used as nervousness and restlessness.
  
  
• Lavender : It is considered to be "a gentle strengthening tonic for the nervous system." Also popular in bath and massage oils to help relax and relieve users.
  
  
• California poppy : A popular ingredient in various herbal remedies, California poppy has been promoted as a remedy for sleeplessness, anxiety, and tension. 
• Valerian Root:  A natural herb sedative that helps calms your nerves, relieves anxiety and sleeping aid found in California Tea House's Bedtime Chai bedtime tea.

There are many other options of teas to help with sleeplessness as well as herbal supplements. Drinking a cup of tea before going to bed not only helps you to relax and wind down but you also is a nice treat to yourself before putting an end to your day.

Reference: "Herbs and Natural Remedies for Insomnia" by Christopher Hobbs

Who doesn't wish they looked like someone else at one point in their life? Or that they could have their high school waist forever?

Even though I am only in my 20s, I already feel my metabolism quickly slowing down and my six pack abs from my previous soccer years adjust to a more flabby feel. While I'm not huge into diets, I do like to stay healthy and I am looking to TONE TONE TONE what my mama gave me.

One of my biggest challenges in the fight in staying healthy and fit, is the ever tempting second-helpings of my favorite thing — carbs!

No one will scold you for having second helpings of vegetables (no, fries do not count) and fruit, but when it comes to startches like pasta, it's hard for me to say no.

Recently, I read in the May issue of Women's Health magazine that:

"A simple way to stave off the desire for second helpings is tea. Researchers believe that catechins, natural compounds in tea, may boost satiety wheter your cup is iced or hot." Source: Nutrition Journal

What are catechins? Catechins are a type of antioxidant that is found in other foods like chocolate but in heavier amounts in green tea leaves. There have been more health benefits found attributing to catechins, but for now we will focus on it's association with weight.

The National Center for Biotechnlogy Information published a study about the affects of catechins on the reduction of body fat in in men. Their findings showed that there was a significant impact on the lowering of of BMI, body weight, body fat, as well as others, in men when they drank one bottle of oolong tea daily.

I stopped drinking pop and carbonated drinks in middle school after my dentist got on me about the carbination harming my teeth and the amount of sugar in flavored water there really was. I've read in many places that drinking water is not only the best thing for your body (since we are mainly water) but it also helps to flush out toxins in the body.

I've taken it upon myself to try to drink more than the recommended amount of water each day but now I think I'm going to have to try to drink a bottle sized amount of green tea daily to help trim my tummy.

For more Women's Health articles on the benefits of catechins in green tea, click this link.

I believe everyone should have the knowledge and resources that will help them to live longer, healthier, and happier lives because there are so many more people we all have to meet before our time is up!

With the summer heat here to stay for a few more months, many people are trying to find ways to cool down with more than just water. Green tea is known for it’s health benefits and great taste, but many people don’t realize that there are many variations of green tea they can sip on in the shade.

History of Green Tea

Green tea derives from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, the same plant that also produces black tea, but the two differ in not only taste and color but also in preparation. Green tea leaves are steamed which allows the antioxidants to be drank by the consumer. Black tea is fermented in preparation.

Green tea was believed to be discovered by the Chinese and has gained popularity during the 1500s in the Western world when the Japanese began the tea trade with the United Kingdom.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

There are many different health benefits for the consumption of green tea. Whether it is in skin care products or in a drink, doctors and health fanatics can’t stop raving about green tea.

A few of the health benefits of green tea are:

• Green tea reduces the risk of stroke.
• The catechins in green tea may be able to stop cancer cells from growing further.
• Green tea is helps keeps heart healthy.
• Components in green tea help increase calorie burning – weight loss.
• Helps curve food cravings and amount of food consumption.

Top Green Teas

The following is a list of the most popular green teas. There are also many other green tea choices out there as well. If you are interested in a certain type listed below, click on the name and a link will send you to California Tea House’s marketplace!

• Sencha: The most popular type of green tea in Japan and quite possibly the most well known in the world. This tea has a acerbic taste complimented with a slender sweetness.
• Dragon Well: The name derives from the well in China this tea was first produced in. Along with the unique name, dragon well is a brilliantly green color with a brisk flavor.
• Matcha: A very fine ground up powdered tea, macha is whisked in preparation. Because of it’s light and sweet flavor it is also used in desserts.  
• Gunpowder: These tea leaves are rolled into tight balls that resemble old-fashioned gunpowder. Since it is rolled tightly together, this type of tea stays fresher, longer, making it a very fresh and grassy tasting green tea.
• Jasmine: A mixture of jasmine flowers and green tea leaves, the florets providing a invigorating and pleasant fragrance and taste.
• Genmaicha: A mixture of crisp brown rice and green tea leaves, this tea is perfect for cooler nights when you want to have something toasty.
• Anji: Popular among new green tea fans, this variation is very fine with a subtle taste. Perfect for those who wish to steer away from that “green” taste.

There are many drink possibilities with green tea leaves and other ingredients and while one may be your favorite, it never hurts to branch out and try some other variations! While spending your summer nights at a country concert or on the back deck playing dominos, reach for a cool glass of green tea over that soda pop.

Sources: GreenTeaInformation.org and, About.com

As a fair skinned woman, I'm constantly having to check the weather before I go outside to make sure I don't end up sunburned by the end of the day.

I think it is very important to take care of one's skin because this is the only skin that you'll have for your life, why not make it the best and most beautiful you can!

In addition to my routine of washing my face and applying SPF moisturizer and make-up, I've been searching around for other tricks that will help my glow.

Of course, green tea is amazing and has many benefits, including great skin benefits!

Many people don't realize this, but green tea is actually listed as an ingrident in some of your make-up and skin care products! There are scientific reports that show green tea as very beneficial when used topically.

The benefits of using a green tea skin product are:

• The catechins in green tea fight damage that has been caused by free radicals, which are usually the culprit behind pre-mature aging.
• Green tea extract neutralizes UV light and the damage that can be caused by it's harmful rays.
• The antioxidant effects prevent skin cancer. (Drinking green tea also helps with this!)
• It rejuvantes skin cells as stated by the findings of Dr. Stephen Hsu and his research.
• Fights inflammation, which improves skin conditions such as dandruff which are attributed to inflammation.
• Sooth acne and lightens the skin — the catechins are anti-bacterial.

Source: Amazing Green Tea Website

Who knew that green tea could help one with their weight, skin, and overall health? It seems to me that this product is the Superman of all products and there will only be more and more benefits that are discovered from it's leaves.

The state of the global economy could be compared to a roller-coaster. Because:

• there are a lot of unexpected twists and turns that you can never really prepare for,
• sometimes there is even the mind-boggling loop-de-loop that leaves you suspended,
• and then there’s always that shocking drop where all you can do is hold on for dear life.

More recently, one of the frequent passengers of this economic rollercoaster has been the tea industry and it’s consumers.

Along with global conflicts, such as the current tensions and terrors in Libya and the recent natural disasters in Asia, imports and exports are also along for the challenging journey.

The tea world has been affected by these factors and recently the tea productions in Asia have slowed as well as in Africa, but tea experts aren’t too worried about the decline. The first two months of 2011 has seen an almost 16 percent decrease compared to record highs in January and February 2010.

Tea experts don’t see these slumps as long lasting. According to the Asian Tribune, “world tea prices are expected to remain moderately high in 2011 due to the rise in world tea consumption.”

But when there is a bad batch of tea, there is nothing that can be done to save it from becoming another discounted product. It is the reality in the business/consumer world that when a product is not at it’s peak performance then it is not sold at full price.

Reuters Africa recently reported that a less than stellar batch of tea in India resulted in low tea prices at the week’s tea auction. Many aren’t too worried about the low quality since the season has yet to reach its peak and not all batches will be seen as “the best.”

These production decreases and price increases aren’t bringing down the tea consumers and experts, though. Despite the recent conflicts in Libya, the country is purchasing tea exports again which is helping to ensure tea keeps its high stance in the global market.

While business is all relative, as long as Mother Nature stays in a good mood and people’s desire for their herbal refreshments remain high, production and pricing will not hold tea down!

Sources: Asian Tribune & African Reuters