Learn how to make your own tea elixir with this recipe. Check out the article we found over at Ecosalon.
These DIY healthy tea elixirs ought to be beneficial for your stomach and entire body – and of course, they are caffeine-free.
Historically, tea (of the caffeinated variety – made with leaves of the Tea plant, Camellia sinensis) likely originated in China during the Shang Dynasty as a medicinal drink. Tea was first introduced to Portuguese priests and merchants in China during the 16th century. Drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century. The British introduced tea to India, in order to compete with the Chinese monopoly on tea. However infusions of other herbs and fruits with freshly-boiled water have been around since very old times. These “tea elixirs” don’t contain any actual tea – but are simple infusions made with fresh or dried herbs and fresh fruit.
Some of the herbal ingredients found in these elixirs are ones which we have featured on herbs-info.com – such as turmeric, lemon, chamomile, ginger, cinnamon, sage and honey.
This list of teas is pretty amazing but in one sense could also be seen as the “tip of the iceberg”. Why not create your own custom variations?
Morning Liver Tonic
When you wake up in the morning, you’re body is in a very special place. The reason we are usually instructed to take supplements in the morning is because our stomachs are empty and there is little to interfere with said supplements’ potency. This morning tea pulls you out on the right side of the bed, giving a morning cleansing body flush. The lemon juice is highly alkaline and turmeric is known for its detoxifying properties.
Turmeric dates back 2,500 years in India, where it is commonly used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Turmeric packs a lot of health benefits, but for our purposes it should be regarded as a liver cleanser, antiseptic and antibacterial agent. But it doesn’t hurt that the spice lowers the risk of cancer, is anti-inflammatory and helps to lose weight. Turmeric additionally treats Alzheimer’s, depression and arthritis.
You can sweeten with honey to balance the earthiness of the tea.
The Formula:
- 8 ounces hot water
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Deep Sleep Tea
Wind down at the end of the day with a tea that promotes a deep, comfortable sleep. Chamomile is a great stress reliever and has a calming effect on the body. It has been used for thousands of years to help people around the world get some shut eye, and a Japanese study put some legitimacy behind this widespread observation when it noticed that rats fed chamomile fell asleep just as quickly as those given a tranquilizer. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and helps to clear mucous from your passageways, allowing for more effective breathing and hence a more pleasant sleep.
The Formula:
- 8 ounces hot water
- Dried chamomile flowers to fill one sachet
- 1/2-inch nob of fresh ginger, crushed
Detox Elixir
Holding a bit more weight than you’d like? Cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and lemon join forces to rev up your metabolism and get your body back in shape. Cayenne pepper warms the body, speeding metabolism and burning more calories. Cinnamon reduces blood sugar and LDL (bad) cholesterol as well as boosts metabolism and increases insulin levels. Lemon packs some flavor and added cleansing power.
The Formula:
- 8 ounces hot water
- 2 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1 cinnamon stick (or 2 dashes cinnamon powder)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Immune Booster Tea
Oranges are packed with vitamin C, a known antioxidant that may help protect your body from cell damage and boost resilience from disease and illness. Cinnamon and honey both have antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which means they are effective in warding off infections. Mint not only brings a fresh aroma, but it’s a leafy green that carries with it antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that keep you healthy.
The Formula:
- 8 ounces hot water
- Juice of 1/2 orange
- 1 cinnamon stick (or 2 dashes cinnamon powder)
- 1 teaspoon high-quality (raw) honey
- 4-5 mint leaves, muddled
Next Article: 3 Extremely Health Benefiting Teas
Read full article: 10 Healthy Tea Elixirs You Can Make Yourself
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