Wow, what a week!  We have been really sick! Unfortunately, even with all the preventative measures that we take, we still do get sick sometimes.  So when we do, I turn to my teas for relief and healing.  I love having this immune boosting chai pre-made in the cabinet for the times that we’re not feeling so good.  I was sad to realize that I didn’t have any ready-made when we got sick this time.  I guess I got slack because it’s been quite a while since we’ve gotten sick- no complaints here!!!  Anyway, now that I’m feeling a bit better, I got busy and made up several jars to have on hand for those times when you know you’re going to need that extra immune boost.  

Here’s the recipe if you want to make some up for your own family- I modified it from a recipe by Rosalee De La Foret.

Immune Building Chai

In a 12 oz jar, combine-

1/4 cup ginger root

1/4 cup orange peel

2 T. Cinnamon chips

2 tsp peppercorns

1 tsp hulled cardamom

1/2 tsp whole cloves

3 T. Astragalus, shredded

5-6 pieces sliced reishi mushroom

When I want to make this, I add the entire contents of one jar to my instant pot, along with 6 quarts of filtered water.  I bring the chai to a boil (on Saute mode), and then switch to "slow cook- low. 

 I prefer to do this before going to bed at night, and that way when we get up in the morning it has had plenty of time to extract all the wonderful immune boosting properties from those hard roots, bark and seeds!  If I don’t get to it at night, I just do it when I can, but be sure to give it at least an hour to steep.  In the morning I switch the instant pot to “keep warm”. When I’m ready to drink it, I pour some through a strainer, into my cup and add a little milk and honey. I leave the rest steeping until it’s all gone. Then we spend the whole day drinking cup after cup of this goodness.  I love keeping it in the instant pot, because it’s always hot and ready to go. 🧡

Do you think you’ll try this recipe?  Let me know what you think!

Stay Healthy!  Jen