Recipes for Osteoporosis

Even though I am seventy, I am new to the world of loose tea. Breast cancer, gastro issues and osteoporosis are past or current issues. I spend quite a bit of time reading about these topics and appreciate the advice on this site. I also see an integrative medicine doctor who has recommended teas for some of my medical concerns.

I plan to look for the nettles and add them to my other medicinal teas. The reason for this post is to share a style of tea infuser that works for me. In the past, I always used bags but I like the flexibility of blending that the infuser provides. Tea balls are too small for what I’m trying to accomplish. This large basket type in the photo works so well for mixing several varieties.

Also, my sister in law (who moved to the US from China) says you can reuse the loose tea at least once, rather than discard.

Best wishes to all. Cindy

I have that same infuser and use it for single cup steeping! What's nice about that tea strainer is that it has a cover which is important to keep all of those beneficial volatile oils from steaming out. What are the other loose teas you are using?

If you want to make more than a cup at a time, you can put the herbs in a mason jar, let them sit and steep for at least 20 minutes and then just strain the liquid out. Either way works depending on the quantity you want to drink.

You can reuse loose tea but I believe most of the nutrition will be in that first pass.

Yes, good point about the lid! And I agree about probable diminished nutrients.

I am using marshmallow tea and chrysanthemum as well as those in photo below. Thanks for your tips!

The average American eats 2 to 3 times the needed amount of protein. Ask your doctor how much you need. Yogurt has quite a bit.

I buy individual bulk herbs (loose leaf) and then mix a bunch together in a big bag so that it is on hand. The predominant herb is nettles due to its high calcium and mineral content and then I add some others like red clover for the isoflavone content and horsetail for the silicon content. I add a little licorice to most as I love the sweetness it imparts but only a pinch and I don't consume that daily as *importantly*, it raises blood pressure.

If this seems too complicated, just stick with nettles and peppermint! You don't need to buy the loose leaf tea as you can get them in tea bags at the supermarket and then rotate their use.

Other than the peppermint, these teas don't necessarily taste good but I don't drink them for the taste, just the nutrition. And you can always add honey if that is your preference :).

These herbs/teas are by no means a magic bullet, just one more thing to add to a healthy diet to support your nutritional status if you have no contraindications that would preclude their use. I'm not recommending them for everyone, just sharing what I do as it might potentially be beneficial for some, but for others perhaps not, so please check to make sure they are safe for you.

study on red clover indicating benefits for menopause and bones:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4523657/

Caveats:

Check with your doc on consuming herbs as there may be contraindications with some medical conditions and/or medications.

If you have high blood pressure, definitely avoid licorice as it will increase your BP. (I have low blood pressure so it is not an issue for me and I use it in tiny amounts and not regularly)

Nettles, red clover and horsetail have diuretic qualities so you may want to avoid them entirely if you are on diuretics.

Potential contraindications of red clover (from Mount Sinai):
"People who have been diagnosed with breast cancer should not use red clover without discussing it with their physician. Red clover may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in those people who are taking blood-thinning medications." Avoid before surgery (and birth).

Teb, have you every used milk thistle or lemon/ginger tea (prebiotic?). I heard others use them but don't know much about them.

Maggieb892. I like your idea of yogurt shakes. Could you share a basic recipe with quantities? I eat a lot of oatmeal so am good with that. Thanks in advance.