>1) I quit smoking cigarettes. I was a pack a day smoker for 5 years.
>Although I do not miss the action of smoking I do miss the habit of a
>comforting break.

Good idea! heh.

>
>2) Weight loss and diet. I am not looking for a tea to lose weight
>with. Last year I lost 25 lbs by adjusting my diet and dinner plate sizes
>without increasing exercise. I simply would like a hot beverage that
>requires no sweetener and will provide little energy. I don't want another
>liquid in my diet that has the potential to "add weight"

>
>3) A tea that has little or no tannins and caffeine. I drink too much
>coffee in the morning and although I can now drink coffee without sugar or
>sweetener dunno how to do without the caffeine. because my coffee
>consumption has gone up since I quit smoking (and the elimination of sugar
>as well) body is adjusting to new chemistry from new dangers.

A habits hard to break. Maybe just drink more water? heh. Actually,
most teas have plenty of caffine in them; switching to tea in the
morning could be seamless...and it actually isn't the caffine that
hits you immediately like most people think; it's the sugar. The
caffine doesn't kick in for 2-3 hours depending on your metabolism.

>
>I would be drinking my tea at night in front of my computer while I am
>trying to get my work done. That said I am very active in the that for I
>am on my feet 9 hours a day. At night I am behind the computer for 4 or 5
>hours and this is the time I would drink the tea. I wouldn't want
>sleeplessness to be a side affect of a herbal tea BUT I would love alertness
>from a tea it that is possible.

Making tea from just straight herbs could be a idea...or a decaf.

>
>I have Experimented with peppermint tea and I like the taste I would
>preferred the real herb in the tea and not a "flavoured" tea.
>
>Where on the www can I get honest and detailed information about herbal tea
>adn it's constituents? Any FAQ's to look for? Any warnings to issue?


Well, it depends on what you want the herbal tea for. If you want the
real deal herbal tea, with actual herbs and not flavored black, I
think you should pick up a small book on herbs and their medicinal
properties that you should be able to get at any local book shop. As
for the WWW, hit up google a bit and see what you can find. Although
some of the properties for the different herbs may vary slightly. I
have http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/1menu.htm bookmarked and look at
it occasionally; seems to have some good info there. You really can't
go wrong with the more benign herbs like Chamomile or most of the mint
family (peppermint, spearmint..great for colds or sore throats) when
you make teas out of them; just be sure to try not to make tea out of
something like mugwart or skullcap and you'll be fine.

There are plenty of blends available in teashops that are acceptable,
I'm sure. If worse comes to worse, use bagged. We mostly discuss
loose leaf of various varieties here such as Chinese Wulong.

Stay with us and you'll learn alot! I sure have!!


Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.