Wonderful Chai

​Chai, black tea brewed with some of the world's most medicinally active spices, has its origin in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.  Among other benefits, chai improves immunity, decreases inflammation, slows the effects of aging, increases cardiovascular health, prevents cancer, lowers blood sugar, increases concentration and improves digestion.
There are many recipes for this potent tea but generally it contains black tea, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, milk and sweetener.  While each of these spices have health benefits of their own, they work together to create powerful, synergistic healing effects.   So let’s look at chai’s health benefits by looking at each ingredient separately.

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​Chai, black tea brewed with some of the world's most medicinally active spices, has its origin in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.  Among other benefits, chai improves immunity, decreases inflammation, slows the effects of aging, increases cardiovascular health, prevents cancer, lowers blood sugar, increases concentration and improves digestion.
There are many recipes for this potent tea but generally it contains black tea, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, milk and sweetener.  While each of these spices have health benefits of their own, they work together to create powerful, synergistic healing effects.   So let’s look at chai’s health benefits by looking at each ingredient separately.

Black tea:  Black tea is full of antioxidants and substances which help to prevent heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, some types of cancer, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. In addition black tea has been shown to be anti-viral, reduces plaque and cavities, enhances the immune system, relaxes the digestive system and improves blood flow to the brain which helps relaxation and concentration.
 
Ginger: Ginger is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and one of the most important healing foods available.  It improves digestion, reduces bloating and gas, supports the immune system, reduces inflammation which in turn fights cancer, protects against heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and reduces blood cholesterol.  It is a powerful muscle relaxant which decreases the pain of overused and stressed muscles.

Cinnamon:  Because cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, it strengthens circulation, lowers LDL cholesterol, regulates blood sugar, helps with congestion from colds and flu, is a pain reliever for toothache and muscle tension, strengthens the heart and stimulates digestion.  Its antifungal and antibacterial properties make cinnamon effective against yeast infections.  Cinnamon is also effective in relieving diarrhea and stomach aches and eases menstrual cramps.

Cardamom:  Cardamom stimulates appetite, improves digestion and reduces stomach acid.  It supports the immune system, detoxifies the body, helps lower blood pressure and fights respiratory allergies when combined with milk.  Cardamom decreases the negative effects of caffeine, and removes mucous from the stomach and lungs.  Cardamom stimulates the mind and heart, and relieves nausea, burning urination and hemorrhoids.

Clove:  Clove is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic.  Clove aids digestion has pain relieving properties and helps the pain of ulcers.  It increases appetite, relieves indigestion, improves hoarseness, lessens toothache, diarrhea, reduces sinus and lung congestion and inhibits tumor growth.
 
Black Pepper:  Black pepper is a powerful antibacterial and anti-oxidant, pepper improves digestion, promotes intestinal health, reduces parasites and provides relief from sinus and lung congestion from colds, coughs and flu.  Pepper helps reduce fever, diarrhea, inflammation, body fat and cholesterol.
 
Healthy Chai Recipe:
As most prepackaged chai or commercial chai has large amounts of sugar and additives, it is beneficial to make your own super healthy version.  I like to make my own and put it in a thermos to keep it warm.  Using fresh or whole spices will give you more potent and healing benefits, but dried may be used if necessary. 

2 Tb loose black tea or 4 black tea bags (decaf tea or herbal tea may be substituted).
2 Cardamom pods or 1/4 tsp ground
1 cinnamon stick or ½ tsp ground
½ tsp whole cloves or ½ tsp ground
1 Tb chopped fresh ginger or ½ tsp ground
½ tsp black peppers or ¼ tsp ground
4 cups water
2 cups organic milk (almond or coconut milk may be substituted)
Stevia to taste.

Bring the water and spices to a boil and simmer for ten minutes.  Add tea and simmer for three more minutes.   Add milk and heat until hot, but not boiling.  Add sweetener to taste.   Strain before serving.  

Keep warm and enjoy!

Love,
​Shivani