One day as I was fixing my morning tea, I realized that it looked more like a witch brew after I added another 7 ingredients besides tea leaves to it. It was murky but tasty and potently healthy with ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and other goodies floating in it. I have been doing it for years, adding various ingredients to my tea, to make it even healthier than it already is. I thought it would be a great idea to share my witch brew ingredients and ideas for mixing.
So here is my list of 7 ingredients you can add to your tea to make it a powerful health tonic aka a witch brew.
- Cinnamon. This ancient spice has strong anti-inflammatory properties, suppresses bacterial, fungal and yeast growth, and improves blood sugar levels in people with type 2 Diabetes. Several studies have also shown that cinnamon may improve cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure, although more research is needed.
- Lemon juice. Citric acid in lemon juice helps the stomach to break down food and thus aids digestion. It also detoxifies the liver, increases the amount of citrate in the urine which may prevent kidney stones and reduces the risk of cancer.
- Ginger. This medicinal root is excellent for aiding digestion and reducing nausea. Just slice 1/2 inch of ginger root (you don’t even have to peel it) and add it to your tea or hot water. Then drink this tea before or with a meal. Alternatively, you can just eat a small slice of ginger before a meal. You will be amazed at the difference it makes in your digestion. Ginger is also used to fight colds or flu, and to reduce pain, especially joint pain from arthritis and menstrual pains.
- Sea salt. It has an alkalizing effect on the body, contains as many as 84 trace minerals, improves electrolytic balance and prevents dehydration when taken in small amounts only. However, limit your salt intake if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Salt, in general, is a controversial food. In my opinion, balance is key. I add sea salt to my tea or drinking water if I know I need to stay well hydrated, like on a hot day or before exercise.
- Pau d’Arco. Made from tree bark, this herbal supplement has potent anti-yeast, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. You can buy loose Pau d’Arco at health food stores or online and add a pinch of it to your tea.
- Turmeric. This legendary spice is known for reducing inflammation and pain, especially joint pain from arthritis. Moreover, extensive clinical trials show promising effects of turmeric in patients with various conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, stomach ulcers, colon conditions, such as colitis and others, liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome, atherosclerosis, kidney conditions and many others. Turmeric is fat soluble, not water soluble, so if you add it to tea, drink this tea with food. Note, turmeric is bitter, and for that reason add a very small amount of it, between 1/4 and 1/8 of a teaspoon per cup of tea.
- Black pepper. It aids digestion by increasing hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach, fights germs and is used to relieve cold or flu, and increases bioavailability of nutrients in food and spices. For example, it increases the bioavailability of turmeric by 12 times! That’s why most turmeric capsules have bioperine black pepper extract. Add both turmeric and black pepper to your tea or food for maximum absorption. Herbalists also use black pepper as a blood purifier.
Here are some ideas for mixing these ingredients with different types of tea.
Hibiscus & Hawaiian Fruit Herbal Tea, Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Tea, Wild Berry Hibiscus Herbal Tea, or any other hibiscus teas, and also citrus flavored teas go well with lemon juice, cinnamon and turmeric.
Chocolate Coconut Tea, Toasted Caramel Rooibos Tea or any vanilla, chai or spice tea taste great with cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, turmeric or Pau d’Arco.
Black teas like Passion Fruit or Pineapple Guava could use some sea salt. Black tea dehydrates, while salt (in small amounts only!) prevents dehydration.
Mint teas such as Ginger Citrus Mint or Lemongrass Hibiscus Mint go well with ginger, turmeric, Pau d’Arco or lemon juice.
Happy witch brewing!
