|
In the period of Cancer, you see the Moon in a powerful position with the planet.
Mars and Saturn debilitated. |
|
 Princess Diana was born in the period of Cancer. While doing the
astrological chart for Princess Diana, who was born on the 1st July 1963, I
realized that in her age of Mars, 36 years and in the period of Saturn which was in 1997,
she would be encountering great difficulties and a possible turning point in her life,
which was not going to be happy or fortunate for her. I did not expect her sudden and
violent death. But then, I was not privy, to reading her palms.
It always remains in my mind as to whether I
should have tried to warn her, like my husband and I tried to warn Rajiv Gandhi on the
Sunday night of the week he was killed. When we tried to telephone him via a personal
friend of his, but we were not able to get through. Thus moves the land of Fate.
But coming back to
the period of Cancer, in my experience, those born in the period of Cancer especially if,
Saturn, Mars, and Moon are significant in their Birth charts, problems with digestion,
which includes constipation and flatulence, heart and upsetting mood swings, depression
and moodiness will afflict the person.
There are many
foods and herbs that can address these problems, but there is one very pleasant and easily
made infusion that can be taken daily to assist in the precaution and aid in the cure of
these illnesses. |
|
|
This is the simple cup of tea, but in this case, steeped and scented with
a delicious bouquet of spices and sweetened by condensed milk. Try it! |
Saumph
Tea or Masala Tea
Recipe
for 1 Cup
1½ tsp. Black Tea (Malaysian, Indian,
Indonesian, Ceylonese)
¼ tsp. Anise seeds
2 Cloves
2 Cardamoms
2 cm Cinnamon stick
11/4 Cold Water |
|
Method
»Bring the water to a boil with all the spices added.
When it is boiling, lower the flame and simmer for 5 minutes.
»Bring the flame up again and when the water is at a
rolling boil, add the tea leaves.
»You may turn off the flame at this point and allow
the tea to brew or you may simmer the tea for 1 or 2 minutes if you like. This makes
the tea stronger. I advise those who have sensitive stomachs or with gastric
problems not to simmer the tea, as strong tea can irritate your problem, because excessive
boiling releases more tannin into the infusion.
»Add honey, sugar and milk to taste and enjoy it.
|
This is a tea that is usually made in the Punjab. I was introduced to this
tea by my husband who is a Sikh and after drinking tea prepared this way, I find myself
looking forward to my 4 o’clock tea with great anticipation everyday. My peche’
mignon is enhanced by using condensed milk and to me, it has stopped my craving for a
slice of cake or biscuits to go with my cuppa.
Being conscious of my calories, adding the
condensed milk and cutting of the cake and bikkies certainly cuts the calorie counts
– So, I indulge.
But the more I found out about the properties of
each ingredient, the more I realized how valuable this little tea drink is to the health.
|
Black Tea |
| Tea has been used as a medicinal herb for 5,000
years to cure various ailments of the stomach, lungs and heart.
Tea is used in two forms, green tea and black
tea. Green tea is dried tea leaves. Black tea is dried then fermented. It is also referred
to as Pekoe tea.
In today’s topic I am referring to the black
tea. |
| Black Tea used in this infusion is mainly for its
benefit for the heart. Although it contains caffeine, studies have shown that it actually
lowers cholesterol. It also acts as a stimulant and is a great pick-me-up drink for
daytime.
My confidence in recommending this delicious
drink is heightened by an article in the Star Newspaper, of the 10th July 1999,
which reported that a study by Dr. Michael Gaziano, a heart specialist of the Harvard
Medical School, affiliated Birmingham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston shows that tea
contains "powerful amounts" of flavoroids – a natural substance that make
blood cells less prone to clots, which can cause attacks. He states that drinking one or
more cup of tea a day reduces the chance of a heart attack by 44%.
So this is one drink you can put into your regime
but do not depend only on this tea for maintaining a healthy heart. Other foods, fruits
and vegetables have also got to be eaten.
You may have heard that large tea drinking
nations are more prone to throat cancer but tea which is drunk a lot in Britain have not
revealed any exceptional significance of such a finding. Experts have attributed it to the
inclusion of milk, which can neutralize the tannin in the tea. So, take your tea with
milk.
|
|
Anise Seed
Anise Seed or Saumph is the seed of a plant
that is used in many recipes |
It is a sweet and fragrant spice that aids digestion and has a mild
estrogenic property.
It is also used in India to promote healthy liver
function.
After a rich spicy meal of rice and curries, it
is normal to be offered whole anise and crystallized sugar to chew.
|
Cloves
Cloves are dried
aromatic flowers. When buying cloves, choose the black variety. When squeezed, dried
cloves should produce an oily secretion. |
 |
| These are the best quality. The brighter orangey coloured cloves
are dry.
These cloves would
have been steamed and had these essential oils extracted prior to being sold.
Cloves help to relieve
flatulence. It aids with digestion and besides promoting a feeling of well being by its
aroma, it is also said to be effective for the circulation of blood and has a positive
effect on the heart. It aids in promoting gastrointestinal peristalsis and therefore,
helps those who suffer from constipation.
|
 |
Cardamom
Cardamom is one of
my favorite spices because of its flavor and taste. |
Cardamom is good for strengthening the heart and its pleasant aroma is
soothing to the mind and the spirit, and it is an excellent additive to the bouquet of
this tea.
The Indians believe that cardamoms consumed
regularly in a drink can aid in developing an excellent memory.
|
| Cinnamon
Cinnamon
is one of the oldest spices known to man. It has been used in China and Egypt as early as
3,000 BC. Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the cinnamon tree and Burma, or Myanmar as
it is now known as, has been the source of Cinnamon for these thousands of years. |
|
The fragrance of the cinnamon blossoms in winter that fills the air of
Yangoon is a fragrance that can live in one’s memory forever. It has no rivals.
Likewise, the additional fragrant of cinnamon to
the bouquet of this tea makes it the nectar of Gods and lovers.
Cinnamon is a "tonic to the brain" to
quote the Ayurvedic physicians.
Cinnamon strengthens the stomach, eases pain and
promotes the proper functions of the liver.
It aids in dispelling stomach gas and acts well
with honey to control dysentery or diarrhea.
|
|
|
|
Saumph Tea or Masala
Tea
