An Immune Booster: Yogi Tea Recipe
Ever feel horrible when going through a detox, or a change in diet, or sometimes just feeling under the weather?
This is my secret weapon.
Yogi Tea is a health promoting, delicious, soothing drink and coffee substitute. I like to make a big pot of it and drink it throughout the day, especially in the winter months, or when I am doing a detox.
In the science of yogic foods the spices used are said to have the following properties:
- Black pepper: blood purifier
- Cardamom pods: digestive aid
- Cloves: beneficial to the nervous system
- Cinnamon: strengthens the bones
- Ginger root: healing for colds and flu, increases energy
The milk in the tea binds the flavor of the spices. Other milk substitutes can be used. A homeopathic dose of black tea binds the effects of all the ingredients, creating just the right medicinal balance. The cinnamon creates enough sweetness that you might not need to add honey.
(Bonus tip: watch the cloves dance in the boiling water, and smell the aroma of the cardamom. It’s a beautiful sight.)
Ingredients:
For each cup:
10 ounces of water (about 1 1/3 cups)
3 whole cloves
4 whole green cardamom pods, cracked
4 whole black peppercorns
½ stick cinnamon
¼ teaspoon black tea
½ cup milk or equivalent
2 slices fresh ginger root
Cooking Instructions:
Bring water to a boil and add spices. Cover and boil 15 to 20 minutes, then add black tea. Let sit for a few minutes, then add the milk and return to a boil. Don’t let it boil over. When it reaches a boil, remove immediately from heat, strain, and sweeten with honey, if desired.