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Chrysanthemum tea is a very popular drink in East Asia and is commonly drank in hot or cold form at places that serve 'yum cha' or in bottled/canned/packed varieties from convenience stores. Traditionally speaking, chrysanthemum is a highly regarded herb cultivated by ancient Chinese nobility and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries in the treatment of influenza like symptoms, heatstroke and sore throats. In western herbal medicine, the tea has been used to treat disorders such as varicose veins and atherosclerosis. My favourite bottled Chrysanthemum Tea drinks The common chrysanthemum tea that you can buy in bottles these days typically contains water, cane sugar and brewed white chrysanthemum and depending on the brand, white tea as well. White tea, which comes from the same tea plant species as Green Tea possesses a similar taste profile and the natural goodness that is found in tea leaves. Two brands that I've come across which are particular

ant to elevate your level of fitness? Avoid the elevator and take the stairs. A 140-pound person will burn four calories per minute of stair walking. Not to mention the fact that stair walking is a great butt toner!

© Healthwise, Incorporated. This exercise strengthens your back, trunk, and thigh muscles, helping you maintain a healthy lower back. Stand with your back 10 in. (25 cm) to 12 in. (32 cm) away from a wall. Lean into the wall until your back is flat against it. Slowly slide down until your knees are slightly bent, pressing your lower back into the wall. Hold for a count of 10, then slide back up the wall. Repeat 10 times. From MSN Health

Kneel on the floor with one knee bent and one leg behind you. Position your forward knee over your foot. Keep your other knee touching the floor. Slowly push your hips forward until you feel the stretch in the upper thigh of your rear leg. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat with the opposite leg. Do 3 to 5 times on each side. From MSN Health

Lie on your back in a doorway, with one leg through the open door. Slide your leg up the wall to straighten your knee. You should feel a gentle stretch down the back of your leg; hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. Do not arch your back. Do not bend either knee. Keep one heel touching the floor and the other heel touching the wall. Do not point your toes. Repeat with your other leg. Do 3 to 5 times for each leg. If you do not have a place to do this exercise in a doorway, there is another way to do it: Lie on your back and bend the knee of the leg you want to stretch. Loop a towel under the ball and toes of that foot, and hold the ends in your hands. Straighten your knee and slowly pull back on the towel. You should feel a gentle stretch down the back of your leg; hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat with your other leg. Do 3 to 5 times for each leg. From MSN Health

The heel dig bridging exercise works your hamstrings and the muscles around your hip. Do 8 to 12 repetitions. Do not continue with this exercise if it causes pain. Lie on your back with both knees bent and your ankles bent so that only your heels are digging into the floor. At this point, your knees should be bent about 90 degrees. From here, push your heels into the floor, squeeze your buttocks, and lift your hips off the floor until your shoulders, hips, and knees are all in a straight line. Hold briefly, and then slowly lower your hips back down to the floor. From MSN Health

Lie on your back with your knees bent. "Brace" your stomach—tighten your muscles by pulling in and imagining your belly button moving toward your spine. You should feel like your back is pressing to the floor and your hips and pelvis are rocking back. Hold for 10 seconds while breathing smoothly. From MSN Health

This exercise strengthens the buttocks muscles, which support the back and help you lift with your legs. Lie flat on your stomach with your arms at your sides. Slowly tighten your buttocks muscles and hold the position (not your breath) for 5 to 10 seconds. Relax slowly. You may need to place a small pillow under your stomach for comfort. From MSN Health

Lie on the floor on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Your feet should be flat on the floor, about 12 in. (32 cm) from your buttocks. Cross your arms over your chest. Slowly contract your abdominal muscles and raise your shoulder blades off the floor. Keep your head in line with your body; don't press your chin to your chest. Hold this position for 1 or 2 seconds, then slowly lower yourself back down to the floor. Repeat 3 to 10 times. From Healthwise

Do not do this exercise if it causes or increases back or leg pain. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Bring one knee to your chest, keeping the other foot flat on the floor (or the other leg straight, whichever feels better on your lower back). Keep your lower back pressed to the floor. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Relax and lower the knee to the starting position. Repeat with the other leg. To get more stretch, put your other leg flat on the floor while pulling your knee to your chest.

Illustration copyright 2005 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com Lie on your stomach on the floor with your arms straight out ahead of you. Raise your opposite arm and leg (for example, raise your right arm and left leg) a few inches off the floor and hold them there for 5 seconds. Lower them to the floor, and switch to the other arm and leg. Repeat 10 times.

Illustration copyright 2005 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com Lie on your stomach with your hands under your shoulders. Push with your hands so your shoulders begin to lift off the floor. If it's comfortable, put your elbows on the floor directly under your shoulders so you can rest in this position for several seconds.

From Healthwise Exercise and staying active may relieve low back pain and can help speed your recovery. 2 , 3 Stretching and strengthening your stomach, back, and leg muscles helps make them less susceptible to injury that can cause back pain. Strong stomach, back, and leg muscles also better support your spine, reducing pressure on your spinal discs . This may help prevent disc injury. Aerobic exercises—such as walking, swimming, or walking in waist-deep water—also help you maintain a healthy back. Aerobic exercise makes your heart and other muscles use oxygen more efficiently. Muscles that frequently receive oxygen-rich blood stay healthier.

Spinal discs are located between each of the 33 vertebrae, which are the interlocking bones of the spine that are stacked on top of one another. These discs act as shock absorbers for the spine and allow it to flex, bend, and twist. The outer portion of a spinal disc, called the capsule (annulus fibrosus), is made of tough, elastic cartilage. The capsule surrounds a mass of jelly-like material called the nucleus (nucleus pulposus). Aging, injury, and illness can cause the spinal discs to crack or rupture. The jelly-like nucleus can leak out, putting pressure on the spinal nerves. Back pain, numbness, and weakness may result, which sometimes requires surgery. Spinal discs are also called intervertebral discs.

From Healthwise Exercises that may help reduce or prevent low back pain include: Aerobic exercise , to condition your heart and other muscles, maintain health, and speed recovery. Strengthening exercises , focusing on your back, stomach, and leg muscles. Stretching exercises , which keep your muscles and other supporting tissues flexible and less prone to injury. Some exercises can aggravate back pain. If you have low back pain, avoid: Straight leg sit-ups. Bent leg sit-ups or partial sit-ups (curl-ups) when you have acute back pain. Lifting both legs while lying on your back (leg lifts). Lifting heavy weights above the waist (standing military press or bicep curls). Toe touches while standing.

The spine is composed of 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae. The lumbosacral region of the spine consists of 5 lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum (5 bones joined together).

From healthwise General guidelines for sleeping: Sleep so that your back is in a neutral position. The neutral position keeps the back in its natural three front-to-back curves that give the spine an "S" shape. Place a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back. You may also want to try using a towel roll to support your lower back. Place a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side. To rise from bed: Roll onto your side and bend both knees. Drop your feet over the side of the bed as you push with both arms to sit up. Scoot to the edge of the bed and position your feet under your buttocks. Stand up, keeping your back in the neutral position.

From Healthwise Follow these basic rules to protect your back while lifting: Keep a wide base of support . Your feet should be shoulder width apart, with one foot slightly ahead of the other (karate stance). Squat down, bending at the hips and knees only. If necessary, put one knee to the floor and your other knee in front of you, bent at a right angle (half kneeling). Maintain good posture. Look straight ahead, and keep your back straight, your chest out, and your shoulders back. This helps keep your upper back straight while maintaining a slight arch in your lower back. Slowly lift by straightening your hips and knees (not your back). Keep your back straight, and don't twist as you lift. Hold the load as close to your body as possible, at the level of your belly button. Use your feet to change direction, taking small steps. Lead with your hips as you change direction. Keep your shoulders in line with your hips as you move. Set

From Healthwise Back injury is best avoided at all costs. Once you have injured your back, it becomes more vulnerable to future injury. A back injury can alter your entire quality of life and possibly your livelihood, especially if it returns or becomes chronic. Poor lifting technique can injure your back in various ways: Muscle or ligament strain—or tiny tears in the muscle or ligament—commonly results from a combination of poor body mechanics and too much of a burden on your back muscles. Spinal disc injury is often caused by forward bending of the spine and poor lifting technique. A spinal disc that is squeezed by the vertebrae above and below it can bulge or break open (herniated disc), causing back and leg pain and numbness (sciatica) and occasionally bowel and bladder problems. Vertebrae can become damaged during awkward lifting.

From Healthwise Before focusing on the right way to lift, review the following common lifting mistakes that easily lead to a back injury: Allowing the back to curve forward while you grasp an object, then lifting by straightening the back Bending at the hips but keeping the legs straight while grasping and lifting Twisting the back while lifting or holding, usually by turning the shoulders, but not the hips Holding an object away from the body Lifting a heavy object (or child) above shoulder level Attempting to lift an object that's too heavy or awkward for one person to safely lift Underestimating the need to be careful when lifting a light object

From Healthwise Bed rest of more than a couple of days can actually make your low back pain worse and lead to other problems such as stiff joints and muscle weakness. 1 If you do use bed rest for a short time, remember the following guidelines. Sitting up in bed puts additional pressure on the intervertebral discs. Lying on your side puts a little more pressure on the discs than lying on your back. Trying to eat a meal in bed can be awkward and can put more strain on your back than if you just get up and eat at a table. Avoid activities that make your pain worse. Modify activities that you cannot avoid doing. Here are some tips: Place one foot on a stool when standing for an activity such as brushing your teeth. When putting on pants or stockings, stand with your back against a wall. Then slide your shoulders down the wall as you bend your knees. Gently step into your pants or stockings, one leg at a time. Return to your normal activity graduall

Illustration copyright 2003, 2005 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com When you first feel back pain, try these steps to avoid or reduce pain: Apply ice. As soon as possible, apply ice or a cold pack to your injured back. You can apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day, or as often as once every hour. Cold applied for the first 3 days limits swelling and reduces pain. You can use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin towel. Relax. Find a comfortable position to rest. Some people are comfortable on the floor or a medium-firm bed with a small pillow under their head and another under their knees. Some people prefer to lie on their side with a pillow between their knees. Don't stay in one position for too long. Walk. Take a short walk (10 to 20 minutes) on a level surface (no slopes, hills, or stairs) every 2 or 3 hours. Walk only distances you can manage without pai

Keep your spine strong with six moves that provide stability and support. By Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed., for MSN Health & Fitness Poor posture and back pain are common. Up to 80 percent of the population has experienced some back pain, according to several surveys. What’s worse is that intermittent back problems can worsen over time and become chronic. While there are many kinds of back problems, and all with different causes, often, an underlying injury is associated with weaknesses in the surrounding muscles. Weak back muscles make you more vulnerable to stress, strains and pain in your spinal ligaments and discs. Plus, when certain back muscles are weak, others may over-compensate, leading to postural or muscular imbalances that further aggravate the load on your spine. A strong, stable back is a healthier back, so including back-friendly moves into your regular workouts is crucial. Following workouts is designed to mobilize, stabilize and strengthen the core muscles that surro

From pregnancy to weight loss, tummies have their ups and downs. Exercise your way to a flatter core! By Francesca Coltrera from O, The Oprah Magazine We do not enter this world with a flat belly, nor do we usually leave with one. And in between, even the sexiest stomach will have its ups and downs thanks to pregnancy, hormonal shifts, and Coffee Heath Bar Crunch. Wherever you are on the timeline, you can exercise your way to a firmer, flatter core. Teens and 20s Estrogen is acting like a busy traffic cop, directing fat storage to the breasts, hips, and thighs. The belly, however, is spared. So now's the time to work it. "Belly dancing celebrates the flesh," says Anita-Cristina Calcaterra, one of a joyously gyrating Boston trio known as the Goddess Dancing, who suggests this great move for a strong and sensuous stomach. Begin by standing facing a full-length mirror with legs hip-width apart, knees bent softly, tailbone tucked, and chest lifted. Heart circles : Imagine us

I've had a chronic knee problem for about 10 years. It stemmed from all the years jumping in volleyball, and even though I've had minor surgery, it hasn't gotten that much better. Funnily enough, in the past six weeks, my other knee started to hurt. (I think it's from all the years of compensation, not to mention that little bit of tennis I played with my friends and a stud coach I was trying to impress). I've been working with a great trainer and friend of mine, Ben. We've been going hard for about a month. You see, people, just like I preach to you, I switch it up. I'm doing tons of things I'm not good at or don't like, but that are really helping me. I'm even seeing subtle changes that I like in my physique. My point? Well, Ben handed me a couple of notebooks and a few pens the other day and said "Journal." We'd talked about my injury, and I felt like I was holding onto it for some reason. It's easy to just cast somet

One of the first things you learn when driving a vehicle is don't look where you don't want to go. That same principle applies to your thoughts. How many times have you thought to yourself what a disaster it will be if you drop the full plate you're carrying down the stairs and bingo! Food everywhere. I was talking with my college volleyball coach, Cecile, and she was saying she wants to write a book on positive coaching. So instead of saying "don't drop your arms, or straighten your legs," you instead tell the individual what you want them to do. You reinforce the positive thoughts and behaviors, and don't even bring up the stuff you don't want them to do. Here we are going into a new year, and everyone is scrambling to make a fresh start. I have a proposal. What if your list or resolution only had the actions you wanted to do? Don't write down things like "I'm not going to eat dinner after 6 p.m." Write down that your aim i

What does your checklist look like? I started thinking about my list of areas to focus on when I'm trying to be healthy, keep stress at bay, and stay in shape. Here's my list... Exercise . I find this to be the one medicine that works well with all ailments. Even when I'm tired, exercise is my cure-all. Crazy husband or kids, stress at work, my time of the month psychoticness, questioning my existence and wondering "what does it all mean?" -- exercise gives me some grounding, a release and clarity. Lean, real food. Real food (not from a drive-thru window or a microwave) can influence my mood. I feel so much more energized and level when I eat living food. What does that mean? Something that hasn't been deep fried to a yummy tasting death, zapped or frozen to the point of non existent nutrients. Is it tricky? Does it take more effort? Yup! Are there times I would rather have a meal that tastes so good, arrives so quick, and hurts after the fact? Yup! But we

Writing for Yahoo! this past year has been such an education for me. I've been trying the best way I know how to come up with catchy lists and encouraging ideas about eating better and moving more. At times I read your comments to get informed. I want to know what your issues are so I can attempt to address them in writing. I'd like to thank you for all your really positive comments on my blog. But there are those people who leave comments that are totally off the wall. Maybe they're upset that my picture doesn't show me smiling. Or maybe they question how I would know about some of these real-world problems since I live a "celebrity life." Fair enough. I call that Internet bravery, and it teaches me an important lesson -- we see everything in life tinted by the glasses we wear. So if people are that upset with me (and they don't even know me) when all I'm trying to do is be a cheerleader, I wonder how frustrated they are with the rest of their liv

Feeling like you are behind the 8 ball? I was telling my husband that I never feel ahead or caught up on anything any more. Maybe it was due to naiveté, having less to do, or just not having any kids yet, but in my 20s, I had some semblance of feeling organized. Things had their order, and I was in "control." What a laugh. Control. It's really started to bother me. I've been feeling like a dog chasing it's tail, and I'm sure it's fun to watch. Since I don't like to admit to or react to stress, I just carry a little extra pressure that seems to go to my eyeballs. Last week I had a "let go" moment. I saw myself overreact to a no-big-deal situation, and I realized that I was letting it get to me. I also noticed that because I was extra busy and wasn't getting the time I needed to work out, I began to slip ever so subtly. I was on the road and out of my routine. If I don't consistently get the time I need to work out, I feel it de

OK my fellow brothers and sisters, let's make a move. We all talk about wanting to make a change, but we get lost in the wishy-washy way we approach the area we desire to change. "I need to eat better." Or "I really should start making time to exercise." What does that mean? What are you doing about it? It can't be a change if we don't do anything different. I have a wonderful friend named Don who told me we are crazy when we do the same thing over and over expecting a different result. As if somehow this time will be different...come on! No handholding. Let's do it. I train hard, eat healthy, and am in good shape, but I am tighter than all get-out, and it's starting to affect my body. For example, I believe I could have improved the health of my knee if my hips, feet, and IT bands were not so tight. I hate stretching and it hurts like a mother. I love chocolate. I have gotten into the habit of eating it all the time. I don&

Don't let the stress get you. Do it for the dog. Do you ever feel like you're living right on the emotional edge? For the most part, I think I'm a fairly calm person. But since my younger daughter turned 3, I feel like I've been just short of "snap" for the past 4 months. Patience? Bite me. I've been walking around with a tightness in my chest, and I'm ready to kick the dog. The monotony of life can get a hold of you and control you. I exercise regularly and eat really healthy. But sometimes that doesn't feel like enough to help cope with that edginess. I even catch myself looking to place blame on my husband or something else external in my life. Is this human? I believe so. However, I don't think it's the way it's designed or has to be. Isn't it really about looking within if we're feeling unhappy or stressed? Now, I'm not saying there we don't have to deal with stressful stuff, but how we react to it or al

Let's make a deal that only lasts one day. You see, I knew "one day" would get your attention. Believe me, it was all I could do to not say "change your life in just one day," but then I thought that was a bit much. I read people's comments, and speak to individuals at the gym on a regular basis about the challenges of eating healthy and exercising. Short of standing on my head eating broccoli, I have served up the reasons "why" a thousand different ways. "Do it for your health." "Your butt will look better." "You'll have more energy." "Be a great example for your kids." You get my point. I really do want you to have all the benefits of eating healthy, exercising, and establishing some sort of peace within yourself and your external world. OK, so maybe that's all just too overwhelming. How about for just one day? No not one day at a time, but one day every other day for one month. Here is what

It's just easier not to do the work, but will you get what you want? OK, I've been reading the comments, and I realize that at the end of the day, it's just easier to eat tasty crappy-for-you food, and "not have the time" to exercise. I get it! So what do you think is going to make the change? What cattle prodding or provocative article is going to change your priorities with respect to eating healthy? Will it take a doctor telling you that you're about to have a heart attack? How about when you realize that you are 25, 50, 75 lbs heavier than when you were in high school? Maybe it will be that day you go to the store to try on clothes and get a real 3D shocking look at yourself in the mirror. Or when one of your kids comes crying to you concerned about your health? Do you need to get depressed to make the lifestyle change? We're all here on this planet making all these plans and not taking care of one of the most important gifts and assets we have

Ever open that one drawer in your kitchen and wonder to yourself, "Why do I have this crap in here and what is it?" We all have a junk drawer, and I have to force myself to clean mine out now and again. How does it keep filling up? I mean it can get pretty ridiculous. If you look around, we have little corners of "stuff" we ignore, and more "stuff" in closets and garages. Don't you just want to get rid of it or give it away? I know attacking eating well and exercising regularly can feel even more daunting then getting rid of the "stuff," but it's virtually the same concept. MOVE IT ON OUT! Only put the things you need in those drawers and shelves. How about if we commit to an end-of-the-month purge (and I don't mean sticking your finger down your throat)? We're now well into 2007, and it's time to make that change. If it's easier to start with your environment, then DO IT. Closets, cars, garages, desks, drawers, th

How many times in your life do you stop to think how quickly time is passing? One year just seems to fold right into the next. Children definitely accelerate this effect on our lives. They walk, then talk, don't stop talking, drive, and then take off. It's almost a little crazy how time seems to speed up as we get older. None of us can get time back, but we can make the most of the time we do have . We also can't get around having to work for our health. No matter who we are or how smart, beautiful, rich, or powerful, we all have to work to achieve good health and stay in shape . I think in some ways, it's such a refreshing reality. So much of life can seem unfair or political, but this is the one thing you cannot buy. Point? You never have regrets if you know you made the most of something. So, yes, time will fly by, and you'll be looking back at things, but if you make the most of yourself and that time period, who cares? I even believe that if you make t

I'll be honest -- during these past two weeks, I haven't been eating great. I've kept up a rigorous exercise schedule, but my eating is ... how can I say? Emotional. Tortilla chips, chocolate, pizza, and a whole slew of other foods that I don't usually make a habit of eating. Granted, I'm not eating this stuff at every meal, but some of it is getting into my mouth at least once a day. It finally got bad enough that I made a Monday resolution to get back on track. Besides noticing a tiny bit of softness on the old body from the food, I also noticed the perfect donut-shaped cycle it started pulling me into. Eating these foods only made me want them more. (I normally don't crave junk food, other than chocolate.) The craziest side effect I found was my mood swings. Often I just felt blah after eating junk food. And what did that make me do? Eat more to feel better. The heavy impact of food on our psyche is crazy. I know better and have been living a very health