Cinnamon Spice Chai
Invigorating herbs and spices make this tea a whole-body treat.
Cinnamon appears in many of the recipes we love to enjoy over the holidays, and there may be good medicinal reasons for that.
Because of its warming and stimulating properties, cinnamon has long been used to boost vitality, improve circulation, and clear congestion. It is a well-respected digestive aid, particularly in cases of overeating, bloating, and sluggish digestion. It’s also one of the best herbs around for stabilizing blood sugar. So more than just a pleasing holiday spice, cinnamon can help our bodies counteract the stresses and overindulgence of the season.
A delicious tea blend that originated in India, chai has as many recipes as drinkers. Here’s one of herbalist Rosemary Gladstar’s favorite chai recipes. Use it as a warming, energizing tea in the morning, or ice it for a cool afternoon pick-me-up.
Cinnamon Spice Chai
Ingredients
- 1 part chopped cinnamon bark
- ½ part coriander seed
- ½ part chopped gingerroot
- ¼ part coarsely ground black peppercorns
- ¼ part cracked cardamom seeds (put in herb mill and grind quickly)
- ⅛ part whole cloves
- Darjeeling tea (or your own favorite black or green tea)
- Honey (to taste)
Directions
To make the chai: Combine the cinnamon, coriander, ginger, peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves and mix well. Using 1 teaspoon of the herb mixture per cup of water, simmer the spices for 15 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat, add an appropriate amount of Darjeeling (depending on how many servings you’ve brewed), cover, and let steep 5 minutes. Strain, then sweeten to taste with honey.
EXCERPTED FROM ROSEMARY GLADSTAR’S MEDICINAL HERBS: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE © ROSEMARY GLADSTAR.
Learn how to grow, harvest, prepare, and use the 33 most common and versatile healing plants, including peppermint, chamomile, basil, and ginger, in this bestselling book from the godmother of modern herbalism.
With this introductory handbook, you’ll see how easy it can be to make your own natural remedies for life’s common ailments. Legendary herbalist Rosemary Gladstar profiles 33 common medicinal plants and includes advice on growing, harvesting, preparing, and using herbs in tinctures, oils, creams, teas, and more.
Stock your medicine cabinet full of all-natural, low-cost herbal remedies:
- Craft a soothing aloe lotion after an encounter with poison ivy.
- De-stress with a calming chamomile bath.
- Brew a cup of basil tea for stubborn headaches.
- Ease coughs and colds with thyme syrup.
- Make a dandelion-burdock tincture to fix sluggish digestion.
Filled with gorgeous full-color photography, this classic bestseller is a trusted introduction to the wonderful world of homeopathic medicine.
Related Books
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Fire Cider!
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Healing Herbal Teas
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Spice Apothecary
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Sweet Remedies
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Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
