To Start the Day
Chinese Herbal Tea
With Chinese New Year coming up on the first of February, I wanted to share a very simple ritual of mine. My mother gave me this Chinese herbal tea recipe, with which I begin every day.
Beyond just warming and hydrating the body after a night’s sleep, this very simple beverage is loaded with health benefits from its three botanical ingredients: goji berries, jujubes, and ginger. This triumvirate is strong in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals; it aids circulation and has anti-inflammatory properties.
The first thing I do after waking up is to put the kettle on, then place the three ingredients in a cup. When the kettle begins to make noise, I remove it from the flame and splash some water in the cup to rinse the ingredients. After dumping the wash, the cup is filled with hot water to steep.
The final ingredient, a touch of honey, rounds out the tea and adds energy.
Seeing the reds of the dried fruits and the gold of the ginger and honey is also visually uplifting and stimulating. After steeping for several minutes, it's ready to drink. The rehydrated fruits can be eaten along the way.
Pairing the tea with a smoldering stick of incense puts me in the right state to commence the day - grounded and energized.
Ingredients:
- 8 Goji Berries
- 1 Jujube
- 5 Ginger Slices
- 1/2 Teaspoon Honey
- Hot Water