Aaspic Tea

A tea brewed from a combination of Aaspic leaves, usually in combination with wild tea, this soothing drink is usually served warm and sweetened with honey or some other form of sugar. Often brewed as a home remedy due to the easy acquisition of its required ingredients, Aspic Tea can be used to aid in sleep, calm anxiety and treat general unwellness.

History and Origin

Aaspic tea is an ancient formulation that has evidence of use as far back as the first age. The oldest documented use of aaspic is by Rokkai, depicted in their sacred tea ceremonies on ancient artwork. Probably carried through oral tradition and passed on through generation to generation, wherever people have been in history, so has aaspic tea. It is cited many times throughout history in many varied cultures. It's noted simply in ancient remains of village herbalist's notes from the first age, and places of high prestige such as in the annals of Veridian royalty.

"...but the princess did not partake in aaspic only when she was sick. No, she demanded there be a constant supply of aaspic leaves in her greenhouse, which she mixed every day with her herbal tea imported from the Azure Isles. She swore by it's effects on her vigor, health and beauty. Her suiters could not argue with her logic."
-Veridian Soverign Annals in reference to Queen Migarta II (then princess), 9090 SA, translated to common.

During the last war, both Sedian and Veridian soldiers were given a dose of aaspic leaves in their rations. Used by academics and scholars around the world, it is often held in high regard by scholarly groups and religions that focus on a sharp, keen mind and dutiful study. The The Starkeepers partake in an almost ritualistic dose of aaspic tea each morning with their breakfast, and it is sold in campus shops at Astrellos Academy of the Arcane Arts, Texora Academy and the Barados School of Magic. Astrellos Academy of the Arcane Arts have their own special brand of the tea, sold in specially labelled bags and flavoured with either sweetberries, cream and vanilla, or chocolate.

Uses

Aaspic tea is a mild stimulant. It gives the user a feeling of wakefulness and can combat tiredness and exhaustion fairly effectively without causing uncomfortable palpatations. It is also a gentle stimulant of the gastrointestinal tract and a mild diuretic, so it can be effective at relieving an slow gut, an upset stomach or as a good hangover treatment.

Addiction and Dependency and Concerns

Aaspic contains caffeine and aasperine; two very mildly addictive chemicals. Studies show that addiction is very rare and those who are technically addicted usually face very little problems with breaking their mild addiction. It is considered to have a similar level of addiction potential as coffee, perhaps a little more. It seems that the caffeine is more addictive than the aasperine, and the addition of aasperine actually counteracts some of the negative side effects that would come with coffee, such as heart palpatations and gastrointestinal upset.
Aaspic has very few long-term problems associated with its use. Most doctors cite the amount of sugar that people often accompany the tea with to be the biggest concern about its consumption, and recommend sweetening the drink with fruit or forgoing the sugar altogether.
Dependency on the other hand, is a little more of a concerning problem. Many users find that they miss the initial awakedness and alertness they experienced in the first few months of drinking the tea, and some medical circles see Aaspic as a potential "gateway drug", especially to young students needing a way to keep awake and feel alert during rigorous exam periods.

Rokkai Tea Rituals

Rokkai in many places across the globe use aaspic in combination other additives (varying on culture and location) and often, warm milk, as part of an important bonding ritual. Known as Tchhrro (meaning "comfort") the ritual is integral to their culture, and is practiced during important events such as weddings, births and funerals as well as a simple way of bonding with loved ones.

Item type

Drug / Narcotic / Medicine