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

2 cinnamon sticks

5 cloves

10 cardamon pods

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

1 tsp burdock root

1/2 tsp yellow dock root

1 tsp dandelion root

2 tsp crushed milk thistle seed

1 tsp echinacea root (use only if sick)

1 tsp marshmallow root

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

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