With summer (sadly!) coming to an end, autumn is making her appearance. This cooler time calls for more time indoors, coziness by the fire place, enjoying nurturing, healing foods and soulful, warming drinks.
This wonderful blend of organic herbs & spices is delicious, warming & tangy in flavour. It is easy to make, and satisfies any craving. It is great for drinking any time of day, and can even be kept in the fridge and enjoyed cold.
Ingredients.
* one Ceylon cinnamon stick
* four pieces of fresh turmeric, approx 5 cm each, sliced
* a thick piece of ginger, approx 10 cm, sliced
* 3 stars of anise
* pinch of black pepper
* 1.5 liters of filtered water, more if you like it less strong
How to?
Add all the ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat & cover it, letting it bubble away for 20 minutes to bring out the flavours.
The longer you let it simmer, the stronger the flavours are. I tend to let it go for a bit longer and add more water if needed.
Benefits.
All the ingredients in this concoction are bursting with healing anti-oxidants, and are anti-inflammatory, immuno-supportive, help to reduce (chronic) pain, lower (chronic) disease risk such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases ...
Additionally, each ingredient has its superstar qualities:
Ginger.
Ginger is loaded with antioxidants and compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body's DNA. It is wonderfully soothing for the digestive system, easing nausea and can even alleviate PMS symptoms and aid with weight loss.
Turmeric.
Curcumin is the compound in turmeric that is so powerfully healing. It is a potent anti-inflammatory and works at cellular level to inhibit the expression of NF-kB, the master inflammatory protein in the cells that sets off the inflammatory cascade. This means it is potent in both physical and mental wellbeing.
Star Anise.
Known for its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, star anise is a star player in health and immunity. It is filled with polyphenols & minerals that support the body, fight off free radicals and keep your immune system strong during the colder months. It is used to treat the flu and reduce cancer risk.
Cinnamon.
Ceylon cinnamon is a favourite of mine as it is versatile and can be used to spice up dishes where a little sweetness is required. A fabulous blood sugar regulator, it is probably best known for its blood glucose stabilising effects, prevention of insulin resistance and for its use in treatment for type 2 diabetes. It also has anti-tumor and anti-angiogenesis effects, lowering the risk of cancer.
Black Pepper.
Black pepper and its active compound piperine are known to stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes and increase the absorption of curcumin and even resveratrol.
Whilst natural compounds tend to be safe for most people, do not drink in excess and please check with your healthcare provider for any personal contraindications.
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