Bay is a warming herb of protection and safety. In folklore, it’s traditionally planted at the door to protect from thieves. A bay leaf steam inhalation is a great remedy for coughs and to support the tone of your lungs. Bay’s warming qualities help with damp conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, phlemy coughs & sluggish digestion.

In this chai, bay adds to the warming qualities of ginger, cardomon, cloves, pepper and cinnamon to create a delicious winter warmer that supports your digestion and your immune system during winter’s cold.

Winter Warming Chai

Ingredients:

2 cinnamon sticks
2 inches of fresh ginger sliced
Approx 35 cardomon pods
Approx 25 black peppercorns
Approx 15 cloves
8 bay leaves

To Make:

Fill a medium size pan with water and bring to the boil.
Add the cloves and pepper corns to the boiling water.
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardomon and bay leaves.
Put a lid on your pan and turn the heat down so the tea simmers gently for 30-40 minutes without evaporating away.
Add your choice of milk and sweetener to taste when you serve it up.

(Traditionally, black tea is also added, but I prefer a non-caffeinated version at this time of year since we are so often already running on adrenaline and extra stimulants can reduce the efficacy of our immune system.)

I hope you enjoy having a pot of this brewing on the stove - it makes the house smell deliciously festive.