Yogi Tea

Years ago my yoga teacher, Yogi Bhajan, came to the USA to teach Kundalini Yoga.  He taught us not only yoga and meditation but a whole lifestyle of living a healthy, happy and holy life.  Included in his teachings are breathing techniques, tips on raising children, male and female relationships, and a huge body of knowledge on using food as medicine.

One of the most wonderful recipes he gave us is for YOGI TEA.  This delicious tasting tea has been used for centuries to rejuvenate the body, strengthen the nervous system, cleanse the liver, aid in digestion, fight flus and colds, and make the house smell wonderful as it's cooking. 

As each season changes it is an excellent idea to clean and detoxify your body. You can go on extended fasts and practice all kinds of austerities, but most people don't want to or don't have the time to devote to proper fasting.  One simple answer is to fast on YOGI TEA.

Do you drink coffee and wonder if or how you can stop?  I have found many people can use YOGI TEA as a substitute for coffee both for a different kind of taste as well as for the invigoration it provides.

Drink YOGI TEA as often as you want.  It's delicious hot or blended with ice cubes for a frothy summer treat.

For each cup of tea, begin with 10 ounces of water.  Bring the water to a rapid boil and add (for each cup):

3 whole cloves
4 whole green cardamom pods
4 whole black peppercorns
1/2 stick cinnamon
1 slice fresh gingeroot

Let this boil, covered, for 15-20 minutes (longer for larger amounts). Then add:

1/2 cup cold milk (per cup of remaining liquid)

Bring the tea back to a boil and shut off.  Add for only a couple minutes:

1/4 tsp. of any black tea (I prefer jasmine)

If you wish to make more than one quart at a time (I'd recommend it), you will need less spices. A good amount of spices to use for 2 quarts of YOGI TEA, is about 20 each of cardamom pods, peppercorns, and 15 each of cloves.  For cinnamon, use about 3 sticks. For the ginger, use about 1 inch of the sliced root.  Use 1 quart of  milk and 1 Tbl. of black tea.

The black pepper is a blood purifier, the cardamom is for the colon, the cloves for the nervous system, the cinnamon for the bones, the ginger strengthens the sex organ system and also helps when you are suffering from a cold, the flu, or general physical weakness.  The milk aids in the easy assimilation of the spices and avoids irritation to the colon and stomach. The black tea acts as an alloy for all of the ingredients, achieving a new chemical alloy structure which makes the tea a healthful and delicious drink!

If you find all this too much work, we have the original formula or delicious variations in tea bags at GRD or check your local health food store.

Check out more information about the Yogi Tea Company at their website:  http://www.yogitea.com