I love making hot Autumn teas, and my newest favorite is Apple Spice Tea. This tea is made with apples, oranges, cinnamon and dried hibiscus leaves. It’s a simple recipe that is soothing on an early fall afternoon, when the heat of the day turns a bit cooler. While I can get organic oranges and apples at my grocery store, I prefer to get my organic and natural herbs from and Mountain Rose Herbs.
For those of you new to this series, Sarah Munro, the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, the second book in the Deadly Force series, is an 18th century historian who inherited a collection of colonial-era herbal and homeopathic remedies. And, in this blog space, I’ve been sharing her recipes with you all. I’m adding this recipe to this collection because hibiscus and oranges are loaded with Vitamin C which can boost the immune system, cinnamon has antibacterial qualities and can help lower blood sugar, cloves possess both antibacterial and antiviral properties, and apples contain antioxidants that can help aid digestion. These are all things I need this time of year!
Note: I am not an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs. I just love their website and buy most of my herbs and other special ingredients from them.
Ingredients:
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 teaspoons dried hibiscus
- 2 apple slices
- 2 orange slices
- 4 cups filtered water
- honey (optional for sweetness)
Directions for Autumn Apple Spice Tea
- This recipe makes a pot of tea, about 4 cups.
- Boil the water over medium heat.
- Add all the ingredients, except for the honey, into a teapot. Once the water comes to a boil, pour the water over top.
- Steep for at least ten minutes.
- Strain the tea into a tea cup and stir in the desired amount of honey.
- Enjoy!
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING, AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:
I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).
It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.
- If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.
- If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.
Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.
Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.
Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.
Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.
I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!
