HERE IT IS, PART THREE OF OUR Wellness Series on Kitchen Rescue for the month of January. I lend my column once again to Dr. Christine Gonzales NMD; PhD; co-founder, Wellness Institute; director, Natural Medicine.

Teas and juices

Two types of tea preparation:

Infusion > made from leaves, flowers and light material. Put 1-2 tsp. herbal tea material into a brewing utensil of your choice and place in a 6-8 oz size cup. Add lightly boiled water and allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes. For a more ?medicinal? effect, steep 15-30 minutes. Keep refrigerated for 24 hours. An infusion is simply herbs steeped in hot water.

Decoction > made from bark, roots, seeds, twigs and berries. Put 1-3 tbsp of cut herb, seed, root, bark, etc. into a pot of 16-32 oz of water and allow to sit in non-boiled water for at least 5-10 minutes. Set on stove and bring to a slow boil, then turn down to a simmer for 10-30 minutes. Strain and drink. Refrigerated, it will keep for about 72 hours. A decoction is herbs boiled in water. When you simmer cinnamon sticks and cloves in apple cider, you?re making a decoction.

Important notes

Brew herbal teas in a ceramic or glass teapot. It is best to use distilled water (for drawing out the therapeutic properties of the herbs) or spring water. Use only organic herbs and spices. Fresh or dried herbs equally give full flavor and aroma.

Blend fresh or dried chamomile flowers and lavender for a soothing tea. Add 1 tbsp dried or 2 tbsp fresh lavender and chamomile. Add to 1 cup distilled water. Steep 5-7 minutes. Add raw, organic honey to enhance the flavors of the herbs.

For a restful sleep:

Mix ? cup dried red rose petals, 2 tbsp dried lemon balm and 1 tbsp dried rosemary. Steep 1 tsp in 1 cup boiling distilled water for 5-7 minutes.

Lagundi tea is both for upper respiratory condition, healthy reproductive system. Bitter Melon (ampalaya) tea regulates blood sugar, keeps liver healthy. Moringa tea boosts the immune system, so do ginger and turmeric. Add 2 tbsp each turmeric and ginger to 2 cups distilled water. Heat to a slow boil. Lower heat, simmer 10 minutes. Strain. Add fresh lemon juice and raw honey to taste. Banaba tea makes kidneys healthy.

Fresh vegetable juices

A glass of fruit and vegetable juice takes very little digestion, if any. It goes right into your body. We look at juices in the same way a doctor would look at an IV. It?s something that can go right into the bloodstream.

Dosage: 1-10 cups or 4-6 oz per serving daily

Two common kinds of juicer:

1. Masticate?Norwalk, champion, matstone. The masticating juicer operates at a slower speed. It chews the fibers and breaks up the cells of vegetables and fruits. You get more fiber, enzymes, vitamins and trace minerals.

2. Centrifugal?The centrifugal juicer first grinds the fruit and vegetables then pushes them through the strainer by spinning at a very high rpm. Faster oxidation and you lose at least 40 percent of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Note: For the Philippines, the best buy is matstone juicer. It masticates and is reasonably priced.

Additional features: makes salad, fresh pasta, almond and cashew milk and butter.

Preparing raw vegetables and fruits for juicing. It is best to use organic vegetables and fruits if and when possible.

Processing non-organic vegetables and fruits:

Ozone is the safest and most natural purification and disinfectant agent for fresh produce and water treatment; the strongest and most ideal anti-microbial, bactericide, fungicide, deodorizer, detoxify agent, germicide, sanitizer, sterilizer and vermicide agent. After washing thoroughly, ozone the fruits and vegetables for 15-20 minutes.

If ozonator is not available?after scrubbing and washing thoroughly, soak produce in a gallon of tepid water with 3-5 tbsp of vinegar for 15 minutes. This method will not guarantee the removal of pesticide, fungicides from the produce.

After processing and cleaning the produce, you are ready to juice. To capture all important vitamins, mineral and enzymes, juice and drink immediately.

Source: Juicer and ozonator?Global Vital Source, tel. 8422550/5020828/ 09178236738 / www.globalvitalsource.com

Dr. C?s Super Energy Soup

1 1/4 cups fresh carrot juice (5-7) 1 avocado, peeled and seed removed

? cup of fresh Moringa leaves

1/2-tsp ground cumin

You may add any of the following: chopped basil, grated zucchini, beets or fresh organic corn off the cob.

Process in a blender.

Purée until smooth.

Pour the mixture into a single soup bowl, and chill until ready to serve.

(To be continued)

In February, I will be in Davao to teach and to conduct my Mindanao Culinary Heritage Tour. Reservations are ongoing. To reserve and for a copy of my 2010 Cooking Class Schedules, call 9289296 / 9273008/ 6474744 / 0908-2372346.

E-mail the author: raspiras@inquirer.com.ph.