Treat Yourself to Healing Teas
Herbal tea is a delicious alternative to water, and one of the best options to sip throughout the day. Tea has been used as a health tonic in cultures around the world since the dawn of civilization. Beyond its benefits as a nourishing and medicinal drink, it conjures up images of taking a moment for yourself – to recharge your batteries, digest a meal, or wind down after a long day.
Make Your Own
The varieties of herbal teas are virtually endless and go far beyond the limited range you’ll find in grocery stores. Try striking out and exploring home-made herbal teas: they’re cheaper, more vitamin-packed, and in some cases, just as easy as dipping a tea bag.
Recipes for some popular varieties are found below; feel free to experiment with flavours and find the one you love. The healing benefits of your concoction will be the icing on the cake!
Simply steep the ingredients in 2-3 cups hot water for five minutes, strain and enjoy. What you can’t find fresh in the produce section can be bought in bulk at most health food stores.
Immune Boosters
1 fresh cinnamon stick
1 tbsp. thinly shaved fresh ginger
juice of 1/4 lemon
1/2 tsp. raw honey
1/2 tsp. cumin seed
1/2 tsp. coriander seed
1/2 tsp. fennel seed
honey to taste
2 slices lemon grass
1 tbsp. astragalus
1 tbsp. fresh ginger
3-4 fresh mint leaves (yes, that's it!)
Sleep Aid
1 tbsp. fresh chamomile buds
1 tsp. valerian flowers
1/2 tsp. each of oatstraw, lemon balm & passion flower
Homemade Chai
1/4 tsp. dried nutmeg
3 cloves
3 cardamom pods
1/2 tsp. fresh ginger
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole star anise
Heat 1 cup almond milk, 1 cup water, and above ingredients. For a coconut version, use 1/2 cup of coconut milk and 1.5 cups water. Steep all for five minutes, strain, and serve garnished with grated cinnamon.
Yum!!
