As we move into the dark times, I want to share one of my favorite drinks - Chai tea. This is a tasty tea that packs a punch of herbal support for our digestive and immune systems. The herbs in chai tea are warming herbs, perfect for the transition into winter and wood stoves.

They're also primarily what we call carminative herbs, meaning they support healthy digestion. Chai tea can be made with black tea, rooibos tea, or a blend of herbs.

I like to make my own blends and use a tea ball or strainer to steep for at least 15-20 minutes for a strong flavor. The chai I am drinking this season is made with one of my favorite herbs- Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi.

Recipe:

• 1 cup Tulsi dry herb
• 1/4 cup fennel seed
• 1/4 cup (or a bit less) Cinnamon chips
• 1 tsp dried ginger (not powder)
• 1/2 tsp cardamom seeds
• A few turns of fresh ground black pepper
• 3 cloves
• Honey to taste

This can be blended and kept in a jar for months. Optional herbs are a TBS of dandelion root and 1/2 tsp of licorice root. Licorice is quite sweet so you may not need additional honey.

Photos by Klara Avsenik and René Porter on Unsplash

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