Tablea is made of pure cacao or cocoa, our version of dark chocolate in Lipa City, Batangas.




It is called Tablea because they are molded into small coin tablets and packed by 10s.

The Tablea we sell are wrapped in ordinary brown paper. This must be the original way they were wrapped since groceries and supermarkets were then unheard of.

Historically speaking, this was the favourite drink of Rizal, Mabini and their hero friends.

This is also my favourite breakfast drink. I steep the hot drink with Peppermint, Java/Spear Mint, Tarragon or whatever herbal may be available.  Also, the pure cacao tastes good in Champorado (Rice boiled with cacao).

Herbal tea or juice can be taken 3 times a day maximum. They are to be sipped little by little to allow absorption. (Healthy Healing by Linda Page). When boiling tea, be sure to use stainless pot (not aluminum) or claypot (palayok). If tea is done by infusion or steeping in boiled water, use glass, ceramic or earthenware.

Aloe Vera 





I make alkaline syrup and juice. I take 1 tbsp. of Aloe Vera alkaline syrup once a day or mix it with juice or tea. This balances hyperacidity, promotes good health which manifests through shiny hair, and smooth, younger looking skin.

Procedure for Alkaline syrup:

a. Cut an Aloe Vera leaf into two, scrape the gel and cut into small pieces.
b. Make a concoction of gel and honey. 1:1
c. Keep in good covered container. Refrigerate.




Balbas Pusa or Cat Whiskers



The pistil of the flowers are like whiskers. It is also called as local Taheebo. I had a miraculous experience with this herbal. When I was single, I suffered back pains and found out that I had kidney damage. The doctor gave me antibiotics but I developed allergies. My mouth had rashes. I had to stop. My office mate, instead, gave me Balbas Pusa. And of course, with prayers as well, the doctor was surprised to find that my laboratory test was back to normal!

Procedure: Seven (7) leaves or more steeped in boiled water or boiled for 15 minutes.


Damong Maria




This is a Filipino term that means ‘Grass of Mary’. It is known internationally as ‘Wormwood’. I drink this for my stomach ache, flatulence. It is also good for diabetes.

Procedure: Steep a handful of leaves in hot water for 15 minutes and sip.




Java Mint




This can be mixed with hot tea or hot chocolate to add a mint flavor. This can also be placed in other beverages. This used as remedy for colic, digestion and food absorption. This is also a diuretic.

Procedure: Steep 1 tablespoon of dried or fresh leaves in a cup of boiled water for 15 minutes. For boiled tea, boil the same for 15 minutes.


Kuchai Leek




This is a diuretic which increase urination.

Procedure: Steep or boil the leaves into 1 cup of tea.




Lagundi




This herbal is a tree. A handful of boiled leaves can warm someone with colds. It cleanses the respiratory system, thus, heal from colds, cough, asthma, fever and flu. The tea is also a body cleanser.

Procedures:

Tea – Boil 4 cups of water then put a handful of Lagundi . Keep boiling for 15 minutes. Divide into 3 cups. Drink 1 cup times a day.

Herbal Bath – Add more water and boil more leaves. Drink a cup before bathing and, then, bathe with warm water. Then rinse with the rest of the Lagundi tea. The last rinse is cold water to close the pores. The process cleanses and absorbs coldness of the body and and immediately remove headaches.



Neem Tree




This is India’s town pharmacy. The tea is bitter and drank by diabetics. It is also used for colds asthma and flu.




Pandan




This herb is placed in rice for fragrance. But it has properties that strengthens blood vessels and heal headache and earache.

Procedure: Boil 4 cups of water, add Pandan leaves, boil for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup or glass (add water with sugar) 3 times a day.

Optional: Tastes good when added with Tanglad for Pandan-Tanglad Juice.


Oregano





The Philippine Oregano has big green or green and white leaves and has more juice while the Italian Oregano has very small leaves. Both are good for colds, cough, headache, asthma and have antibiotic properties.

Procedure: Steep handful in a cup of hot water. Cover for 15 minutes.




Peppermint



In the Philippines, it is also known as Herba Buena or ‘good herb’. This is one of my favorite breakfast teas. It has a good aroma with mint. This herb, just like the other herbs, is called body balancer. This is effective for cough, colds, headache, arthritis and body pains.

Procedure:

Tea – Steep two (2) tbsp. of fresh or dried leaves in 1 cup of hot water. Cover for 15 minutes.
Cold Beverages – Chop and place in cold drinks.
Mouthwash – Chop 2 Tbsp. of fresh leaves in 1 glass of water



Serpentina




A very bitter herb. This is helpful for diabetics. I tried it for my throbbing stomachache caused by loose bowel movement, the next day I was good as new! The stem grows in a zigzag form as it matures. This must be the reason for its name.

Procedure: Steep 5 to 6 crushed leaves in 1 cup of boiled water. Cover for 15 minutes.



Stevia 




This is a sugar plant used to sweeten hot tea or chocolate. Those who try a leaf can’t believe it!


Tanglad 




This is also known as Lemon Grass. It is good for high blood, loose bowel movement and cancer. This makes a wonderful refreshment especially when added with Pandan leaves and sugar.

Procedure: Boil water 4 cups of water. Add the lemon grass and keep boiling for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup or glass (add water with sugar) 3 times a day.



Tarragon





The ancients used to call this the Dragon Herb. This is helpful to calm nerves, fatigue, insomnia, hyperactivity, stomach cramps, high blood and heart. This aromatic herb can even be placed directly in water or beverages.

Procedure: 

Tea – Steep 1 tsp. tarragon in 1 boiled cup of water. Cover for 15 minutes.

Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Internet:

http://www.tajagroproducts.com/Tea%20(Indian%20tea).html
http://www.infonet-biovision.org/res/res/files/494.hdra%20NeemTree.pdf
http://www.sallybernstein.com/food/columns/gilbert/tarragon.htm

Kitchen herbs help bring out the best flavor out of meat, sauces and salads.

Basil




This is used for pesto, spaghetti and macaroni sauce, and pizza. This can also be used a vegetable inside the sandwich.


Italian Oregano




This is used for spaghetti and macaroni sauce, pizza and topping for bread with cheese.


Kuchai Leek 



Its taste and aroma can be mixed with any kind of sauce or dressing.



Java Mint/Spear Mint 



This serves as a good topping for salads.


Peppermint 



This can be mixed with tomato sauce or as topping for salads for its aroma.

Tarragon 



This is good as topping for salad. I regularly make vinaigrette with or a mixture of olive oil, a little vinegar, chili and sugar with tarragon to mix with fresh vegetables from the garden like Spinach.

Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition

Internet:

http://www.sallybernstein.com/food/columns/gilbert/tarragon.htm

By using herbals to the fullest, I lessen dependence on consumer products and chemicals. And you can too!


Aloe Vera





Aloe Vera Hair Wash

Procedure:  Cut open the Aloe Vera leaf, scrape the gel then cut into small pieces.  Mix ½ tsp. of cane vinegar with water. Cane vinegar preserves and brings out the fragrance of Aloe Vera.  Put inside a clean recycled bottle.  (I use liquid dish-washing soap bottle.)
For the final rinse, I just put a little drop in a small dipper (tabo), add water and pour.  My curly hair becomes manageable and shiny. It also leaves skin smoother.

Aloe Vera Alcohol

Procedure: Cut up the Aloe Vera leaf, scrape the gel then into small pieces.  Mix Aloe Vera gel with alcohol.  Put inside a clean recycled bottle.  I use liquid dish-washing soap bottle. The alcohol turns yellow.

Since I always use alcohol, I noticed that with Aloe Vera, my hands feel smoother.  Also, the cracks at my fingertips easily heal.

Aloe Vera Sanitizer

Procedure:  Cut open the Aloe Vera leaf, scrape the gel then cut into small pieces.  Mix with alcohol.  Put inside a clean recycled bottle.  I used my old sanitizer bottle.  Add homemade Breath Citro-Mint Oil (below) for fragrance and mint coolness.

Optional:  Add some water as in commercial sanitizers. 




Mints

Java Mint

Breath of Mint Oil

This is my homemade oil from combination of fresh and dried Peppermint and Java Mint (Spearmint).

Procedure:   

1. Heat  10 tbsp. of unused coconut oil or vegetable oil.
2. Turn off the fire when there is steam.  
3. Place a handful of Peppermint and Java Mint including the dried leaves and stem. Cool then drain into a clean glass container.  I recycle a small glass bottle used for vitamins as container.
When I apply this oil behind my ears, my neck or even on my head, I feel the mint every time I breathe.  It works for headache, colds, cough and body pains.





Citronella




Breath of Citro-Mint Oil

Citronella gives not only fragrance, it is also good for headache, cough, colds, body pains and even for depression.

Procedure:  

1. Heat 10 tbsp. of unused coconut or vegetable oil.
2. Turn off the fire when there is steam.  
3. Place a handful of cut leaves of Citronella and a handful of Peppermint and Java Mint. Cover and cool.
4. Drain into a glass bottle.  I recycle a small glass bottle for vitamins as container. Make sure the oil is crystal clear without sediments.


Citro-Mint Deodorant  

I have been using Tawas in pulverized form but it keeps falling off,  so I placed petroleum jelly which is good for the skin.  As gardeners, my husband and I sweat a lot, and this preparation works wonders.

Procedure:  

1. Add a few drops of home-made Breath of Citro-mint Oil to Tawas. It will make the deodorant cool and fragrant.  
3. Put in a clean hollow container.  I recycle beauty cream container.

Optional:  Add cornstarch.

Trivia: Tawas or Alum is also used to heal mouth lesions/canker sores (singaw) and also for laundry during rainy days.





Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition