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RED CHAI TEA - What is Red Chai Tea - another name that you may recognise it as is Rooibos tea. Rooibos tea is a red bush tea from South Africa. Chai is the Indian word for 'spicy milky sweet tea'.
What makes it so different from other teas-Rooibos leaves, which are grown in South Africa, the leaves resemble tea leaves but acutually comes from a different plant which doesn't have any TANNINS ie CAFFEINE FREE; because its caffeine free doctors have been recommendering drinking this beautiful tasting tea for insomnia. Rooibos tea is considered by the South Arfican Rooibos Council to be a herb, not a 'tea' - more of a medicinal,herbal beverage that is acquired from the Aspalathus linearis bush plant that is found in South Africa. Its the fermenting of the 'tea-like leaves' that makes it a red colour.
Becoming a caffeine addict is a common addition throughout the world and this brings about is own health risks. Removing caffeine overload from your diet can help to improve your stress leves, moodswings and give your heart a health kick. Rooibos tea gives you energy and health benefits, without the dangerously addictive substance.A cup of rooibos beverage just before going to bed can help you sleep.
Does it have any other health benefit - YES IT CERTAINLY DOES- here a just a few
Hypertension: Drinking Rooibos tea has been linked to relieving your stress levels, lowering any nervous tension and hypertention( high blood pressure); because is a known brochodilator, this helps to lower your blood pressure and help relieve any respiratory symptons. Overall its good for your heart and cardiovascular system.
Cardiovascular Health: Rooibos teas produces ,Quercetin, this is a powerful antioxidant which has been has linked to preventing a variety of heart related conditions. Rooibos tea has anti-inflammatory properties within it which is great for those people who suffer from arthritis, sore knee joints and great after a heavy work out!
Super Bone Health: This miracle tea is rich in calcium, manganese and fluroride minerals which in turn are great for healthy bone health; maintaining bone structure and stronger teeth. Having teas laden with Manganese actually stimulates the enzymes which are required to build new bones and repair damage. Natural fluroide is good for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Drinking this tea can also help with stomach cramps and other digestive tract ailments - South African mothers are known to give it to infants who suffer from Colik - added to a milky drink it helps sooth their tummies! So when you get an upset stomach, try a cup of milky rooibus chai tea to help aliviate cramps.
GOOD FOR PREGNANT AND BREAST FEEDING MUMMYS'..
There are many benefits, but there is also some side effects that you need to be aware of :-
A Few Words of Caution: there can be a downside for some people wanting to drink this tasty tea. Rooibus teas has been shown to interfere with treatments for various conditions, including chemotherapy for cancer patients - and people with hypersensitive cancer like breast cancer. If you suffer from EXISTING existing kidney or liver conditions, rooibos might be more harmful than helpful. Make sure you speak to your health practitioner before adding this tea to your diet - particularly one as powerful as rooibos tea!
1 Cloves
2 Black pepper (pinch)
3 Fennel seeds
4 Sliced ginger
5 Anise seeds - (no Star of Anise available)
6 Cardamom pods
7 ROOIBUS TEA LEAVES
8 Cinnamon sticks
HOMEMADE RED CHAI TEA
**8 cups filtered water
1/4 cup of loose Rooibus tea leaves ( if not available - bags are fine, just split to make 1/4 cup)
2-3 Star Anise flowers - if cant get use Anise powder 1/2 tsp- 1 tsp - to your taste)
1 inch of sliced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon of whole cloves
1 tablespoon of cardamom pods/seeds
2 sticks of cinamon ( Ceylons' the healthier )
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon of black pepper corns ( if not pinch of black pepper)
Almond, coconut, soya milk
good dollop of honey - to sweeten to your taste
** these are the measurments I use and is quiet spicy with the ginger quantity - if you like a hint of spice, put less ginger and adjust the other ingredients - a little bit of 'trial and error' to get to your spice taste. I have 8 cups of water.
TO MAKE:
Take all of the ingredients (NOT THE MILK) and put into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over a moderate heat. Once boiled, reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pale rust colored, about 20 minutes. The aroma is pungent and delicious.
Pour into a tall cup/mug/glass and add milk if you wish - makes it a little creamier
Drink and enjoy
Note: I am not a health practitioner and giving you medical advice - I am just someone who loves healthy herbal teas and want to share my own personal experiences with you. If in any doubt about adding any new herbs/spices to your diet and take medication or have health issues, seek medical adivice first as some herbs/spices can affect medication and exciting conditions.
If you like Smoothies/Juices/ Herbal teas/Healthy foods - then please feel free to follow me - new friends always welcomed and comments very much appreciated.
THANKS FOR DROPPING BY - SEE YOU NEXT TIME
all photos mine except Rooibus flower - credit source satearooibus