I love all of the festive foods in December, and this year I’m adding a new favorite tea to my writing routine. This rooibos and vanilla tea is perfect for cozy mornings by the fire while watching the snow fall (and maybe reading a holiday romance novel anthology like Snowed In With You!) This tea also includes elderberry flowers which can help strengthen the immune system while the rooibos leaves and honey are loaded with antioxidants and can help lower inflammation. If you can’t find the dried tea leaves listed below, you can try buying them from 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 her collection because the ingredients in this tea have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and immune strengthening qualities. If you choose to add a dash of honey for sweetness, it is rich in antioxidants that can help aid digestion, soothe coughs, and lower inflammation.
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 teaspoon red rooibos leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon dried elder flowers
- 1 teaspoon toasted shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- 1 cup water
- Honey, to taste
Directions for Christmas Vanilla Tea
- This recipe makes on cup of tea for one serving.
- In a small bowl, stir together the rooibos leaves, vanilla extract, dried elder flowers, and coconut.
- Put the tea into a tea ball and place in a mug.
- Boil the water and pour over the tea ball in the mug.
- Steep for at least 8 minutes (or longer if that’s your preference) and remove the tea ball.
- Sweeten with honey, if you want it a bit sweeter.
- 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!
