Here are two recipes from Chinese medicine that help fortify the body during cold winter months.
Drink this first tea blend when you feel chilled. This drink is not recommended when you feel hot, as it is very warming.
Ingredients
3 cinnamon sticks
2 roots American ginseng
5–6 goji berries
1–2 tablespoons chrysanthemum flowers
rock sugar
black tea
Make this tea in a pot large enough to fit all ingredients. Combine all ingredients in the pot, except the black tea, and cover with boiling water leaving a couple inches of empty space at the top. Steep 5–10 minutes.
Unlike tea, the longer this concoction brews, the better, because the taste will be sweeter and the herbs will release more nutrients.
When you think the concoction is almost ready, steep the black tea in a separate cup making it a bit stronger than you normally would. When the black tea is ready, mix with the herb concoction and strain the mixture into a teacup. Sip and enjoy the warmth.
Low Energy
The combination of American ginseng root and oolong tea is a natural energy booster, aids weight-loss, and helps increase stamina.
Break up about 1–2 tablespoons of ginseng root into a few smaller pieces, and brew covered for five minutes in a cup with a small amount of boiling water. In a separate larger cup or pot, brew the oolong tea for about three minutes using a tea strainer. Be sure not to fill the whole cup or pot up with the oolong tea. Remove the oolong leaves and add the brewed ginseng. It is okay if you leave the ginseng inside the pot.
You can buy all the ingredients for both teas at Asian grocery stores, and you can usually find goji berries, cinnamon bark, and the teas at natural food stores.
You can order the ingredients, with the exception of rock sugar, online at herbal websites like StarWest-Botanicals.com or MountainRoseHerbs.com.
Rock sugar can be found in some organic and specialty grocery stores and also in most Asian grocery stores.
Note: If you are pregnant or nursing, please consult your doctor before drinking any of the tonics listed above.
Benjamin Chasteen is a certified tea expert who enjoys teaching tea classes and giving tea presentations for various occasions. For questions or comments write to [email protected].
