Chrysanthemum Tea Recipe

Chrysanthemum Tea with Goji Berries

I have been drinking Chrysanthemum Tea with Goji Berries for 3 months and I have noticed the improvements in my eyes. Chrysanthemum tea has potential benefits. 

 However, do note that those who are prone to diarrhea or experience constant coldness in the hands & feet, kindly refrain from drinking this tea. If you really want to drink, drink just abit with more Goji Berries.

Ingredients (1.5 cup for 1 pax)

• 1 tbsl of Chrysanthemum flowers (8-10 flowers) 
• 1 tbsl of Goji Berries (8-10 berries)
• 1.5 cup of boiling water

Steps

1. Put one table spoon of Chrysanthemum flowers into a teacup/pot which is filled with boiling water
2.  Let the tea brew for 15-20mins (depending on the heat. if the water is too hot, the flowers may brew faster.) Try not to brew for too long if not the tea would be bitter.
3. Pour the hot tea into a cup and add the Goji berries inside. This would ensure that the taste and nutrients of the Goji berries are still within the berries. Tastes better too!



It looks more as I have made the tea for 2-3 people.

4. Once slightly cool, enjoy the tea. If you love to drink it cool during the hot weather, feel free to add some ice!

Enjoy!

Beautiful Day of My Life: I believe that the small positive change I have made now, would bring me greater goodness.

Cats. They are wiser than you think.

As a lover of cats, I was so happy to see this cat's video on guide to life! I hope that you enjoy watching it as much as I do!

BRETON'S GUIDE TO LIFE (in 10 steps) from Ariel Belziti on Vimeo.


Beautiful Day of my Life:  I have the ability to seek inner peace with myself, to be comfortable with stillness at this moment.

What's the big deal with Dry Eyes? Stress, Anxiety & Quality of Life

All we need is your listening ear and support

 

Many people may wonder, "What's the big deal with dry eyes? If your eyes feel uncomfortable, just use eyedrops." Usually, that is what any individual would do, including me.  Life will go on as usual. But that did not happen to me even after I have used the eye drops. 

It took quite some time for my loved ones to understand what i have been going through becuase of the mindset that dry eyes is no big deal. Yes, it is definitely nothing when you have minor dry eyes. But if your eyes started tearing the whole time, redness, coupled with the constant eye strain, your eyes definitely need your tender loving care.

I recalled the struggles I had with work and my life, when my dry eyes syndrome got worst. During that time, I was still using antibiotics for my red eyes which, according to the opthamologist, is a symptom of conjunctivitis. Everytime my eyes began to tear, i constantly put the drops. The symptoms abade for 1-2 days and they returned after that. Having dry eyes during the period of study was not helpful at all. As I constantly have to write essays, it is necessary to use the computer. Presentation slides have to use the computer. These continuous usage were not helping me. Given the high level of discomfort, my work productivity had gone down. I used to be able to handle many tasks at one time, with the computer. However, it all went down. 

 

I was irritated and disappointed with myself. It just did not feel like me. But i did not tell anyone about it. I was embarrased by this condition. I don't smoke, I don't drink alcohol ALOT, I don't club etc. So why had this happened to me? I could not understand why at that time. This affected my relationships with my friends too. I cut down my social gatherings with my friends, using "busy" as an excuse. But in fact, all I wanted was to rest at home and cuddle up. I would cry at home silently.  I slowly redrew from school activities. My self-esteem was affected by my health. Though I looked comfortable to my friends, i was actually struggling inside. It was hard to tell people that I have dry eyes and difficulties because i was too proud to admit it and i dont think anyone would really understand me.

There has been a correlation between anxiety,depression and dry eye syndrome. There are research to support this point. (Though I have only use one article here to support my point, I believe you can understand my point. Any chronic illness, if not cared for, will affect one's quality of life. Don't you think so? Would you be happy to have this chronic illness to be with you for life? N.O NO! )

I was truly disappointed in the amount of support the local health system has provided for patients with dry eyes. Treatments are given but not adequate support to the patient. If no institution could offer me support, I have to seek my strength and support from other sources. (will share about that in future post). My life has been improving daily and I never regret the steps that I have taken.

Point to take away from this blog entry:
Do offer a good listening ear and support to your friend who may be suffering from some things. You can never imagine how your support, no matter how minute it can be, can mean alot to your friend. 

Beautiful fact of my life: I am truly happy that I have taken steps to embrace one of my fears openly. I am looking forward to more positive changes in my life.

 

Food for the Dry Eyes (Yes, they need moisture. duh)

Dry eyes can be burdensome, if you have the problem for quite some time, from days to years.  I have been dealing with dry eyes for 1.5 years. Some doctors told me it is eye allergy and this problem can never be treated which kinda make me sad. However, after listening to a TCM lecture in school, the problem in fact be solved. After changing the way I eat for the past few months, my eye conditions have improved a lot.  I'm looking forward to the time where my eyes are completely healed so that I can wear contact lense comfortably. 

What to Eat:

• Chrysanthemum Tea with Goji Berries (1-2 cups a day)
•  It is your daily dose of Vitamin C and A.
• Given its cooling properties, it can help to reduce headache, giddiness and eyestrains
• Sore, itchy and red eyes. 
• Caffeine Free - feel free to drink at anytime of the day!
• Note that if you constantly have cold hands, include more Goji berries and do not drink Chrysanthemum tea as intensely. Take a break in drinking the tea once in a while.
• Carrots
• Source of Vitamin A
• Consume once every 2-3 days would suffice. If not, too much Vit A will be reflected in the colour of your skin such as too yellowish.
• Goji Berries ( A handful each day, on an empty stomach. Before Meals)
• Mulberry leaf tea
• Cassia Seed Tea (For red sore eyes)

What to Avoid:

• Spicy food.
  It is very important. This is difficult if you stay in Asia such as Singapore where spicy food is almost part of your life. I love curry,Laksa, Otah etc. but one really has to stop eating to help your eyes. If your body is too heaty internally, the heat will travel up to your body (I know it sounds stranges..but this is some concept my mom has told me which I think it is quite true. If you eat too much spicy food, you will tend to have headache.)  

The list will constantly be updated as I read and find out more.

My Dry Eye Journey

it has been a long journey, since 2011, that i have been dealing with my eye condition.

I have took my eyes condition for granted through the period I was wearing contact lenses.

June 2011:

The itchiness in my eyes started in June 2011 (the period of my first internship). I was bogged down by some commitments such as internships and outside school activities. During the busy period, i actually lost appetite.

I stopped wearing contact lenses immediately, because of the discomfort. But I was not aware of the importance of wearing dailies then.

The itchiness continued for months and i decided to see a professional opthamologist. He said that I have allergic conjunctivitis that is why there is constant itchiniess. I was offered antibiotics. The antibiotics were great, the itchiness stopped after that. I thought that was the end. Unfortunately, my eyes became worst than ever. 

2012:
For the whole year of 2012, I been going through periods of dry eyes, unexplained red/sore eyes, waking up with red eye (especially on the left eye), and constant itchiness (although it gets less mild). The only period it stopped was when i came back from Hong Kong after my second internship. It was all right! After that, it returned for no good reason.

It is hard to describe how I feel. There are times when i really feel sad about my eye condition. I enjoy the comfort wearing contact lenses because I can see things clearly at all range. With my spectacles on, I could only see things that are in front of me. There are times i feel insecure about myself too (feeling embarrassed about it as i'm writing this >.<)

Every morning when I wake up, my left eye will be red and both eyes actually itch with dryness. no serious eye discharge that I used to have (mmm, yellow eye discharge). Basically, it is just the typical minute white discharge that we have. However, the morning eye dryness and redness left so uncomfortable that it affects my mood (Don't laugh!). Actually, during this period, i resumed my contact lens wear after a 1.5yr hiatus. But it is not helping in any ways.

So last semester in school, I took an elective module on Traditional Chinese Medicine aka TCM! I love TCM. It has taught me to live a life, in a holistic manner. I paid great attention to the lecture and would continue to share these goodness to my mother. I guess, TCM taught me the importance of caring for my life really on my own.

But it took me some time to approach TCM for help. About 2 months later when I lost patience with the itchiness, I went to the nearest TCM clinic near my house. Well, the TCM doc said my eyes were not exactly serious. In fact, it can be rect
 So I do not have to do acupuncture. He gave me some herbs and recommended me to drink chrysanthemum with goji berries daily. It costs me about $32 plus i think (including TCM herbs).  After his advice, i started drinking tea for the first time - the time i introduced tea into my daily drink regime. 

2013:

My eye conditions have definitely improved, but not completely cured. No more itchiness and sore eyes for 3 months! Just the dryness. The intensive work has not allowed me to rest my eyes properly! But i'm trying! I love it when i wake up each morning with clear eyes, with minor dryness.

I was discouraged deeply by what previous doctors have diagnosed. Some said i have eye allergy. Yes, I do seem to reflect the symptoms earlier. Allergies are supposed to be with you for a lifetime. It has left me. And in fact, everything has just been an issue of dry eyes. If only I have sought the right treatment earlier...

Nonetheless, nothing is ever late. The step that I have taken to improve my life has made me feel much better about myself than ever.  

What is beautiful in my life : I know that each single day I wake up, I am healing.

(The purpose of writing is not to tell you to ditch your professional GP or specialist for alternative treatments, if you understand, western medicine are able to solve alot of emergency cases. TCM or alternative complemetary medicine aims to promote holistic health and prevent. So if your bodies are working fine or you sense any minordiscomfort, do aim to achieve the holistic health early and not wait till it is too late like me! For emergency cases, of course, approach western medical science!)