I started making this immune supporting tea about a year ago. It works so well that I make it for me and my husband anytime we feel the first signs that we may be coming down with something. A tickle in the throat... tea! A case of the sniffles... tea! Feeling rundown... tea!
My husband, who doesn't always care for my natural remedies, has asked for this tea the last three times that he hasn't felt well. And he drinks every drop. I hope you're starting to get the point. This recipe really works, and I preach about it to pretty much everyone I know.
So, today, I'm sharing my Ultimate Immune Support tea recipe with you. Trust me, you're going to want to save this one and will be so glad that you did.
Ultimate Immune Support Tea Recipe
Ingredients
12 oz. water
5-10 pods star anise
1-2 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
Juice from half a lemon
6 small slices of ginger
Spoonful of Manuka Honey
Optional add-ins to steep: orange slices, garlic, echinacea, licorice root
Directions
Bring water to a gentle simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add star anise, cloves, cinnamon, lemon juice and ginger to the water and let steep for at least 30 minutes. I like to toss in the rest of my lemon half into the pot to simmer as well after I juice it. Be sure to keep the temperature to a gentle simmer and don't let it get too hot. Stir every 5-10 minutes.
After the tea has steeped, take it off the heat and pour it through a strainer into a large mug or pitcher. Let it cool on the counter until it reaches a drinkable temperature. Add a large spoonful of Manuka Honey to your tea and stir until fully dissolved. This mixture is a little spicy, so feel free to add a splash of nut milk or coffee creamer if desired.
Personally, I will make this in larger batches and store the leftovers in mason jars in the refrigerator for a few days. You can also bless your tea before consuming to enhance its healing abilities.
What are the benefits?
The ingredients in this tea have historically been used as medicinal remedies for the common cold, flu, and other viral and bacterial infections. Many studies have shown that these ingredients also help to increase healthy immune and respiratory function while boosting your cellular health! When ingested using teas or natural supplements, these ingredients also support the body's natural antioxidant defenses.
A simple google search on each of these ingredients will show you all the ways in which these ingredients have been studied for their antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial characteristics.
Shopping Tips
For maximum benefits, you're going to want to make sure that you purchase high-quality ingredients that are organic and from a trusted buyer. I personally would not use ingredients from a box chain such as Walmart or Amazon for medicinal purposes, but that's just my personal preference. I always stock up on these ingredients in bulk before the colder months so that I have them on hand when I need them.
I purchase my star anise pods, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks, in bulk at Mountain Rose Herbs. While there, you might also be interested in trying their Echinacea & Elder Tea, which is another great choice for immune support. If you live in a bigger city, you may be able to find these ingredients at wellness shops, herbal apothecaries, or specialized marketplaces.
When it comes to purchasing your Manuka Honey, please note that not all of them are created equally. When using Manuka for medicinal purposes, you want to make sure that it contains plenty of the main antibacterial component called methylglyoxal (MGO). Most store-bought Manuka's have less than 30mg of MGO per kilogram of honey, which isn't going to help you very much.
You want to shop for a raw honey that contains a MGO rating of 30 or higher. Personally, I strive for 100+ MGO when I buy mine. Manuka Honey is not cheap, but I promise you, a high-quality Manuka is worth the investment. Here's two brands that I have personally used: Manukora and Comvita.
It's also important to note that Manuka can lose some of its medicinal properties if it's overheated. Therefore, you should wait for the tea to cool down a little before adding it to your drink. Finally, if you can't afford Manuka or you're in a pinch, you can substitute it with a raw, unpasteurized honey, preferably from a local farmer.
Save the recipe on Pinterest.
For more at-home remedies, please visit the Essential Oil page on my website.
With Love,
Kelsey
