Chai- A Powerful Kitchen Cabinet Health Tonic

“Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.

"I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I can't take more."

"You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter: "it's very easy to take more than nothing."

LEWIS CARROLL, Alice in Wonderland

You have to start drinking chai. It is delicious and nutritious and warming and cheap. A mug of this tea is a powerful healer and the best part is you can make it with stuff in your cabinet. I love that this is plain and powerful. My recipe for chai crams eight healing spices in each cup making this warm, tasty treat a super food powerhouse.

In his book Healing Spices, Dr. Bharat Aggarwai shows hundreds of examples of how powerful spices are against disease. I highly recommend his book. It is one of the most used books I own. Just SOME of the reasons why the spices in the blend are amazing:

CINNAMON- helps control blood sugar and may prevent new blood supply to tumors.

FENNEL SEED- Menstrual cramps, Anti-inflammatory,  improves memory, Glaucoma.

BLACK PEPPER- Speeds digestion, helps arthritis pain, anti-cancer (Colon, Lung, and Breast)

CLOVES- Great for your mouth -Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and boosts circulation. Fights infections including staph infections and E.coli.

STAR ANISE- Fights viral, bacterial and fungal infections. A flu fighter. Relieves gas and bloating.

NUTMEG- Can help with anxiety, improve memory, fight wrinkles, and lower cholesterol.

GINGER- Arthritis pain, migraine relief, and anti- cancer (breast, lung, skin, prostate, bladder, kidney and ovarian).

CARDAMOM- This is probably the least common spice in the blend. It was something I had to buy, and it wasn't cheap. Here's why it's worth the money.  Cardamom may lower blood pressure, prevent blood clots, ease asthma and constipation. And can help fight sinus infections. Plus, it tastes good!

Chai Tea -Whole Spice Method

Makes two servings

4 whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick, broken in half

2 black peppercorns

1/2 of a star anise

6 fennel seeds

1/4 tsp of ground cardamom

1/4 tsp of ground ginger

a tiny shake of ground nutmeg

2 black tea bags (regular/decaf) or rooibos tea bags (naturally decaffeinated).

Optional -- a few slices of fresh ginger.

To make two servings:

In a small sauce pot bring  3 cups of water, all the above spices and fresh ginger to a boil.

Remove the pan from heat and let steep for 5 minutes.

Bring the mixture back up to a boil. 

Remove from heat and add 2 tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. 

Strain tea into your cups. Add sugar/honey, milk.     

Chai Tea Powder- Big Batch

Makes 40 Servings (1/2 tsp each)

1/2 tsp fennel seeds

1/2 black peppercorns

3 tsps whole cloves

10 whole star anise

-------Blend the above ingredients in a coffee grinder OR just use powdered form

1/2 tsp nutmeg

3 TB plus 1 tsp cinnamon powder********* or 10 tsps

3 TB plus 1 tsp of ground cardamom*

3 TB plus 1 tsp of ginger powder*

2 Black tea bags (regular/ decaf) or rooibos tea bags (naturally decaffeinated).

Optional -- a few slices of fresh ginger.

To make two servings:

In a small sauce pot bring  3 cups of water and 1 tsp of powder and fresh Ginger to a boil.

Remove from heat and add 2 tea bags. 

Steep for 5 minutes. Strain tea into your cups.

Add sugar/honey, milk.Powder stores up to 6 months.

There is a power house of healing in your cabinets. Drink up my friends! Try this recipe. It is wonderful to drink after dinner when it's cold outside. You can also buy a chai blend. This one is incredible. Thank you for reading and please keep praying for Mr. Peasant!

Happy New Year!