Homemade Chai - Nourishing Body & Spirit

This overcast SWFL weather has me feelin’ in a chai kinda way. So I decided to make some. Making homemade chai always reminds me of my days working at the Centre for Natural Healing in Darien, CT. My boss, Darice, would often make chai for us on those cold winter days that seemed to drag on. The recipe is simple - steep spices, tea and milk together until fragrant. But the effects are powerful. Not only does it warm you from the inside out, but chai can help with digestion, fight inflammation, and give your immune system a little boost.

Here’s my quick and easy home recipe:

Chai Tea
Makes two 8-oz servings
1 cup water
1 cup milk of choice
1 bag black tea, like Assam or Darjeeling
2 tsp chai spice blend (recipe below)
Honey to taste

1. Place water, milk, tea bag and chai spice blend in a small saucepot. Heat mixture just to a simmer (do not boil), then remove from heat, cover, and let tea and spices steep for 5 minutes.
2. Strain the chai tea through a fine mesh strainer into coffee mugs.
3. Sweeten to taste with honey.
4. Sip and enjoy.


Chai Spice Blend
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground clove
Combine spices and store in an airtight container.


•Cinnamon: helps regulate blood sugar, is antimicrobial/viral/fungal, aids digestion, supports heart health, anti-inflammatory
•Ginger: anti-inflammatory, aids digestion, antiviral, fights nausea, anti-cancer, helps regulate blood sugar
•Cardamom: aids digestion, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, supports heart health, supports liver health, helps regulate blood sugar
•Clove: aids digestion, antimicrobial, helps regulate blood sugar, helps relieve pain, anti-inflammatory, improves liver function