Monday, February 6, 2012

Delicious, Medicinal Chai

I love chai!  Lately I have been getting a bit creative with our chai teas and adding all kinds of medicinal herbs to them.  They come out tasting so yummy with plenty of health benefits to boot!  Here is a basic chai recipe and some additional herbs you can add for fun.  Try adding one or two the next time you make your chai for a new healthy boost.  All these herbs can be found at Mountain Rose Herbs.  Just click on my link to the right to order.  (Enjoy looking around their site - they have amazing products!  If you are a tea lover, check out all their tea selections!)

Have fun and here's to a healthy winter season!  (I have linked the herbs to Christopher Hobbs Herbal Prescriber Database if you would like to read more about their healthy benefits.  Be sure to scroll down the entire page as he has a lot of excellent information.)



Those pregnant and breastfeeding need to consult their physician or midwife before using herbs, even in recipes like this.
photo credit: wildthymeherbshop.com


Basic Chai: (Makes 2-3 servings)

4 cups of water
10 peppercorns, any color
1/2 tsp anise seed
1 T dried ginger root
2-3 tsp of black tea
milk and sucanat to taste if preferred (I  often drink mine without milk or sucanat)

Place the 4 cups of water in a glass pot and add all the herbs.  Cover and bring to a simmer and allow to simmer on low for 45 minutes.  If water levels are low, add back enough water so there is 3-4 cups.  Add your milk and sucanat to taste.  Enjoy!

photo credit: cuculinary.com (star anise)


Herbs to add for additional medicinal benefit (try using only 1-3 at a time, as some can have a strong taste to them).  I have linked each herb to Christopher Hobbs Herbal Prescriber Database if you would like to read about the health benefits of each of these herbs.  Be sure to scroll down the entire page - he has a lot of great information.

photo credit: elenaspantry.com (licorice root)


3-4 pieces of astragalus root
3-4 pieces of licorice root
2 tsp crushed milk thistle seed
1 tsp echinacea root (use only if sick)

photo credit: simplynon-toxic.com (marshmallow root)

(Featured on Healthy Home Economist, Real Food Forager, Marvelously Messy, Far Above Rubies, Whole New Mom, Hope Studios, From Mess Hall to Bistro, Mandie's Recipe Box, Not Just a Housewife, All the Small Stuff, Nap Time Creations, Rook #17, Time-Warp Wife, Learning the Frugal Life, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, 21st Century Housewife, Homestead Revival, Gingersnap Crafts, Take it From Me, Beyond the Peel, Frugally Sustainable, We Are that Family, Raising Homemakers, Mind Body and Sole, Food Corner, Savvy Southern Style, The King's Court IV, This Chick Cooks, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Chef in Training, Made Famous, Premeditated Leftovers, Somewhat Simple, Momnivoure's Delimma, Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Gluten Free Pantry, A Little Nosh, Frugal Follies, Delightful Order, GNOWFGLINS, Tales from Bloggeritasville, It's a Keeper, A Glimpse Inside, The Nourishing Gourmet, Simply Sweet Home, Happy Hour Projects, Creation Corner, Comfy in the Kitchen, Real Food Whole Health, Real Food Freaks, Jennifer Cooks, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, Jo's Health Corner, Allergy Free Vintage Cookery, Fitness Friday, Whipperberry, Food Renegade, Natural Mother's Network, Butter Believer, A Well Seasoned Life, Six Sister's Stuff, The Sweet Details, Learning the Frugal Life)

17 comments:

  1. I've been making medicinal chai, too! It's a great way to daily get nourishing herbs. I've been doing the basic chai but I use rooibos which has no caffeine and is high in antioxidants, plus powdered tumeric, fennel seed, burdock root, ashwaganda, shatavari, astragalus, and rhodiola. As you can see I'm going for an adaptogenic assortment :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can't wait to give this a try. Thanks for sharing on Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays. I'm glad I found your blog and would love it if you followed back.
    www.theycallmehypo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love chai, but I've never tried medicinal chai. I found this post very, very interesting! Thank you for sharing it with the Hearth and Soul hop.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Come share this at my Famous Linkz Party!!
    -Heather
    @ www.made-famous-by.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I use almost all these herbs(spices) every day in cooking,but I havent try medicinal chai.Want to give a try....
    Thanks for sharing with Midweek Fiesta

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chai is my favorite winter drink :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jessica,
    I just love Chai, this is a great post that I will really enjoy! Hope you have a fabulous week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing this! I love chai! Thanks for sharing at allergy-free wednesdays. Hope to see you again next week.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is great! Thanks for sharing on the Living Well Blog Hop! I have to give this a try..

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've never tried this. It's very different.


    I found you on the Living Well Blog Hop and am now following via GFC.I'm really wanting to learn more about natural living.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love store-bought chai. I've never made any at home, and certainly not a medicinal version, but what a yummy way to stay healthy! Thanks for the great recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  12. sounds great! I don't know if I would be brave enough to make it though??? lol

    http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-favorite-valentines-day-ideas.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hopped over from Natural Mother Network and I'm glad I did. I'm a big chai drinker. This year I'm expanding my medicinal herb garden so I'm always looking for ideas to make with them. Also, I love cardamom. That's my secret ingredient in almost everything.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love chai! I drink chai tea whenever I have a chance and add chai spices to any dish that I can. :) Your recipe sounds lovely! Thank you for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oooh thank you for this- one to print off and make! thanks for sharing on Seasonal Celebration and hope to see you next week!
    If you want an email reminder each week click here http://eepurl.com/i-8pr
    Rebecca x

    ReplyDelete
  16. I LOVE CHAI!!!! Thanks for linking up to Six Sister's Stuff! Hope to see you back next Saturday!
    -The Sisters

    ReplyDelete