The Power of Spice Tea

Spices have always been a hot commodity, but it seems that much of the population has forgotten that these spices are not just for flavor, they serve as alchemical ingredients! When there are shifts in digestion, seasonal changes and periods of transition, spices can be a phenomenal method of rejuvenation, disease prevention and healing. Many of the common spices in your home can yield tremendous medicinal properties for reducing aama, restoring agni, balancing doshas, boosting the immunity, correcting metabolic imbalances, creating a beautiful completion and purifying mind channels. Spices also serve as great source of vitamins and minerals.

One of my favorite Ayurvedic home blends has the following ingredients:

• Sliced ginger root
• Cardamom seeds
• Black peppercorns
• Fennel seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Cinnamon stick

The quantity of each spice depends greatly on your individual taste preference, but more importantly your underlying health. I adjust the ratios depending on the season and reason. After I determine my personal medicinal ratios, I boil all the ingredients on a low heat for 20 minutes.  Rarely do I add sugars or milks since that reduces the subtle perceptions of flavor (rasa). The incoming messages translated through the rasa help create specific biochemical cascades within the mind – gut feedback system.  Sugars and milks added into the tea, send a completely different medicinal message.

Have a nice cup of tea today and meditate on what the flavor as it courses through your system like a delicious messenger.