It's a little chilly outside; a bit dreary and misty. The mountains out my back window are shrouded in fog. Hey, it is Western Washington after all. On days like today, I definitely need something soothing but with a little pick me up, too. And nothing is a better start to the day than my homemade herbal chai tea! The mix of spices really gets you going in the morning, and the coconut milk is so soothing. Really, this tea is perfect any time of day. Plus, this recipe is vegan and caffeine free! Enjoy!
I know, I know. There are a lot of ingredients in this recipe, not counting the sweetener and coconut milk/cream! But don't worry if you don't have any of these ingredients. This recipe is very flexible, so feel free to take out any ingredients you don't like/have or include any new ones that sound appealing to you. You'll never know what combination you like until you try it. The spices that I don't recommend taking out, if possible, are cardamom, star anise, clove, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper as they greatly add to the spiciness of the recipe.
In addition to being delicious, the ingredients in this tea provide a number of health benefits, so you might want to increase certain ingredients as needed. As with all of life, herbs should be used in moderation and some herbs are not appropriate during pregnancy or for people with certain ailments. Please consult your doctor regarding the use of any herbs.
Calendula helps with PMS and irregular menstrual cycles. It also helps with headaches and soothes the digestive tract. Not recommended during pregnancy.
Cardamom is commonly used to help with colds and coughs and to boost immunity. It's aromatic and soothing.
Cinnamon is also used often for sore throats, cold or the early stages of the flu. It eases indigestion.
Clove is known for aiding in nausea and indigestion.
Coriander helps calm cramping pains and indigestion.
Ginger can help with nausea, indigestion, morning sickness and general digestive discomfort.
Juniper is helpful for sluggish digestion. Should not be used during pregnancy or for people with kidney problems.
Lemon verbena is known for helping with insomnia, stress, indigestion and PMS.
Nutmeg helps reduce pain from injury and inflammation and also aids in digestion. It helps detox the liver and kidney and can help with insomnia.
Orange peel helps with respiratory irritation and cleanses the lungs. It's Vitamin C helps boost immunity.
Black pepper eases digestion and can be helpful for a sore throat or cold. It also helps boost immunity.
Raspberry leaves help with menstrual cramps and cramps due to indigestion. Should not be used during early pregnancy.
Star anise helps improve digestion and related issues, such as bloating, constipation, indigestion and gas. It's also an antioxidant.
Other ingredients you could consider adding, include:
Lavender helps relieve headaches, migraines, PMS, general stress and anxiety and insomnia. Not recommended during pregnancy.
Lemongrass can be used to help with indigestion or stomach cramps and to help lower fever.
Thyme helps with sore throats, coughs and colds, shortness of breath and hoarseness. Do not use during pregnancy.
Turmeric can help with diarrhea and sluggish digestion. It is also known for helping with coughs, colds and sore throats. Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help prevent cancer and Alzheimer's disease. It helps lower cholesterol and boosts the immune system.
Sage aids digestion and can specifically reduce gas, bloating, diarrhea and heartburn. Should not be used during pregnancy.
Wild Cherry Bark aids in digestion but also soothes a sore throat and can help a cough.
Fennel helps improve digestion, increase milk production in nursing moms, lesson symptoms of menopause, reduce menstrual cramps and may treat hypertension, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.
Ingredients (all dry)
1/2 T coriander seeds
1 T orange peel
1 T cloves
1/2 T black peppercorn
1 T juniper berries
1/2-1 T ginger root
1/2 T calendula
2 T cardamom pods
3 T star anise
1/2 T ground nutmeg
1/2 T ground cinnamon
1-2 T raspberry leaves
1 T lemon verbena
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder. Pulse to blend and coarsely chop.
To serve, place approximately 1 tablespoon in a tea strainer and steep in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Then add your preferred sweeter and coconut milk. For a real decadent drink, top with whipped coconut cream and cinnamon.
Store in a glass jar out of direct sunlight. Makes 20 cups.
The information in this post is meant for educational purposes only. Please consult your doctor regarding the uses and benefits of incorporating herbs into your diet.
