Healing Chai Tea

This is positively one of my favourite liquid escapes... a warm chai tea with steamed milk (of any variety) and a touch of maple syrup. Simply preparing it fills the entire home with a scent of warmth and goodness... like a delicious hug for the senses. It is a recipe that I acquired from a dear friend, true inspiration, and phenomenal ayurvedic nutritionist and yoga leader... Christine of Fearless Cooking and Shunnya Yoga Centre. Christine calls this drink "mental clarity and energy all in one cup."

Ingredients:
2 litres Water
15 Whole Cloves
20 Green Cardamom Pods (cracked slightly)
20 Black Peppercorns
3   Cinnamon Sticks
8   Slices Gingerroot (peeled; fresh ginger can be easily peeled with a  small spoon)
1/2 tsp Black Tea (or green tea or herbal, or your very own blend... as you prefer)
Splash of Milk, any variety


Instructions:
Bring water to a boil, add the cloves and continue boiling for one minute. Add cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, ginger and tea. Cover, and continue boiling for 20-30 minutes.  Strain.

Serve with steamed/frothed milk and sweeten with maple syrup, honey or agave (if desired... i usually drink it with a little steamed almond milk: delicious).

Each of the ingredients adds their own health benefits...
Black Tea provides antioxidants which are known to lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure.
Cloves invigorate and help generate heat in the body, making them useful during cold and flu season.
Ginger strengthens and heals the digestive and respiratory systems, removes congestion, soothes sore throat, and relieves body aches.
Cinnamon acts as a stimulant to the other herbs and spices enabling them to work faster. It is also great for the bones.
Black pepper adds warmth to the body.
Cardamom stimulates the mind and gives clarity. It also acts as an antidote to caffeine.
Boiled Milk eases the assimilation of the herbs and prevents irritation of the colon and stomach.

When each of my babies were just born, I added star of anise (to ease their tummy's) and used chamomile flowers (instead of tea) to relax both me and my little angels. It's always fun to experiment and try to add new flavours... the aroma and the heat of this concoction is so soothing for my soul.