Ginger~Lemon~Thyme~Cayenne

I came across this tea recipe years ago when I was searching for a natural remedy to a cold I had.  I enjoyed the flavor so much and the way it made me feel that I kept that recipe all these years.  It has been used many times in our house and I try to always keep ginger root in the freezer for whenever I want to make a cup.  I also planted thyme in the garden so I would always have a fresh supply.  Thyme is a great herb to have around the house.  It is tasty in many food dishes, think pot roast or other long cooking meaty stews.  However, it’s a great thing to have for toothaches or bad breath or any skin or scalp conditions.  It is great for the heart and circulation and to help boost the immune system.  It has antifungal and antiviral properties which help with those pesky colds or viruses that don’t respond to antibiotics or antibacterial medication.  I’m not a doctor, so please do your own research from reputable sources.

I enjoy growing thyme in my garden as it is an evergreen groundcover and has many different varieties that are very pretty in the garden.  Deer don’t really bother it, so you don’t have to worry about them eating on the plant.  As an evergreen, it can be harvested anytime of the year, though summertime is best because the active ingredient, thymol, is at its peak during summer.  That is true for most other herbs in the garden as well.  It’s best to harvest on a dry day, usually in the morning after the dew has dried up.  Hang bushels of the herb in a dry place with good air circulation.  Think spare bedroom or office space.  You can repurpose an old wooden ladder, a bunch of wire hangers, a piece of lattice work, or even a string tied from one thing to another.  Check out the many options on my Pinterest page, Herbs and Healing.  There’s also a great book that I came across many years ago while looking through my local Barnes and Noble store.  You know, back when there were malls and they were filled with stores and you went there as a day trip and just walked around admiring everything and picking up a cup of coffee and a nice cinnamon roll.  Oh, those were the days.  Just joking, you can still do that.  At least around here.  Back to the story, check out this book Herb Bible for very useful information on herbs and their culinary and medicinal uses.  I have come back to this book many times for answers to any questions I had about growing a specific herb or what to do with it after I grew it.  

So, this blog is about tea, right?  Tonya’s Immune - Tea, has a very short video on our YouTube channel, BigChris Cooks, and it has served our family well.  It’s very easy to do using the recipe below and the flavor is delicious.  The pepper gives it a nice kick that soothes and restores.  I’ve found that keeping ginger root in the freezer is the best way to always have some when I need it.  Recently, I ran out and this being during the crazy pandemic, I couldn’t find any at any store I went to!  Boy was I glad when I finally got my hands on some.  I take the ginger right from the store and bring it home, wrap it in plastic wrap and then put it in a freezer bag and stick it in the freezer.  It lasts for as long as I need it to in there.  I take it out about 30 minutes before I want to put my tea together so it can thaw a bit.  

I usually use cayenne peppers, but you can use any pepper you have or like.  It’s mainly to give the tea a kick and to get the medicinal properties of the pepper into your tea.  If you grow your own, use the dried peppers from your garden or fresh, if it’s that time of year.  I like to string up my cayenne peppers on a piece of sewing thread and hang in my kitchen to dry.  They are great that way and you can just take off a few and add them to your tea making pot.  The wonderful lemon is something I try to have on hand as well, but sometimes I have to make a special trip to the grocery store for that.  However, if you are blessed with your own lemon tree, well count yourself lucky!  Oh, and the sweetness…….I usually drink my tea without a sweetener, but feel free to add a bit of honey to your cup before imbibing.  Preferably using local raw honey you have sustainably sourced from a beekeeper in your neighborhood or even from your own hives.  However you choose to enjoy your tea, make it with love with what you have on hand and know that you are nourishing your soul and body at the same time.  

Tonya's Immune - Tea

4-5 slices of lemon~4-5 slices of fresh ginger~4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme~3-4 dried chilies (I use cayenne)

Put all in a saucepan and fill up with water. Put on stove over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes and then turn heat off and cover saucepan. Remove from heat. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes and then strain tea into your favorite mug. Add a bit of honey if you wish and enjoy. Save any tea for a few days in the fridge and bring back to a boil to heat it up another day. (use whatever ratio of ingredients that you have on hand)

Please let me know what you think of this tea in the comment section below.

Credits/Reference:

deliciousdays.com/archives/2010/02/09/thylehogichi-or-how-to-fight-a-nasty-cold/

organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/thyme.html

Herb Bible, 2004, by Jennie Harding