It’s snowing today! That means it’s time for my favorite hot drink to enjoy while watching the snow cover the backyard garden. One of my favorite choices for frigid, snowy days is a homemade Winter Orange Spice Tea. This one needs some dried leaves that are hard to find in grocery stores, and I added links to to Mountain Rose Herbs, one of my favorite online herbal stores. (I am NOT an affiliate)
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 there is some evidence that cinnamon and cloves stimulate the circulatory system and have antimicrobial properties. And although the orange peel is dried, it can still impart some Vitamin C. And this time of year, you can’t get enough Vitamin C!
Ingredients:
- 8 teaspoons red rooibos leaf tea
- 4 teaspoons sweet cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces
- 2 teaspoons dried orange peel
- 1 teaspoon whole clove buds or a dash of ground cloves
- Slice of orange and/or cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)
- dash of honey for sweetness
Directions
- In a small coffee grinder or blender, loosely grind the whole cloves and broken cinnamon sticks until they resemble a loose-leaf tea.
- In a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, add the cloves, cinnamon, red rooibos tea, and dried orange peel. Put on the lid, shake the tea components, and allow to sit for 48 hours so the ingredients meld together.
- To brew, add 2 teaspoons of this tea blend to 8 ounces of boiling water. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
- Pour/strain into a mug and serve with a dash of honey, a slice of fresh orange, and a cinnamon stick. (all the garnishes are optional)
Important Disclaimer: Herbal Remedies, Wild Plants, and Foraging
The information shared in my Romance Herbalist posts is intended for educational, historical, and entertainment purposes only. I am not a physician, licensed herbalist, or other medical professional. Nothing on this website should be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Herbs, flowers, spices, and other plants have been used for centuries in cooking, traditional remedies, and folk medicine. However, natural does not always mean safe. Some plants can be toxic, cause allergic reactions, interact with medications, or be unsuitable for certain medical conditions.
Before preparing, consuming, or using any herbal product, please keep the following precautions in mind:
- Medications and medical conditions: Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally, particularly if you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, have an existing medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing something for children.
- Allergies: Research potential allergic reactions and cross-reactivity, especially if you have known allergies to plants, herbs, or spices.
- Plant identification: Never harvest or consume a wild plant unless you can positively identify it and confirm that it is safe for its intended use. Some poisonous plants closely resemble edible or medicinal varieties.
- Harvesting and foraging: Avoid collecting plants from roadsides, chemically treated areas, contaminated soil, or locations where pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants may be present. Always follow local foraging laws and respect private property.
- Preparation and consumption: Research appropriate preparation methods, potential side effects, and safe quantities before using any plant. Certain plants may be safe in food but dangerous when concentrated or prepared incorrectly.
- Food safety: Use clean equipment, properly stored ingredients, and appropriate food-handling practices when preparing herbal teas, infusions, syrups, or other homemade products.
A note about traditional remedies: References to historical or folkloric uses of plants do not establish that those uses are medically effective or safe. Any discussion of potential health benefits is provided for general information and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
By choosing to forage, prepare, or consume any plant or herbal product discussed on this website, you accept responsibility for your own research, decisions, and safety. The author makes no guarantees regarding the safety, effectiveness, or suitability of any plant, recipe, or preparation described.
When in doubt, consult a qualified professional before using any herb or wild plant.
