I get it. Bloggers rambling on and on about a recipe’s back story can suck when all you care about is the recipe. Click the jump to recipe link above to go straight to the recipe.

Recently my wife came down with a head cold. I wanted to help minimize her symptoms and the duration of the cold and, selfishly, I wanted to held insure that I wasn’t suffering from the same symptoms. I started looking through some herbal remedy books and found a tea blend that helps boost vitamin C intake.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps defend against cell damage. It is vital in the development and growth of tissues, healing wounds, and maintaining a strong immune system. The Cleveland Clinic has propertied that Vitamin C can help ward off cataracts and the progression of age related macular degeneration.

Other believed benefits of vitamin C include improved iron absorption, helps wound healing, promoting healthy skin, lessening the severity and duration of colds and flus, improving heart health, and playing a role in treating some types of cancers. Cleveland Clinic Article

I got the recipe from Botanical Teas Recipe Book, Herbal Academy, 2024. This is a great book to help you get started in blending herbal teas. You can check out a list of other great herbalism books I’ve read here.

I tend to blend teas by weight instead of volume. It’s easier and it dirties fewer pieces of equipment and helps mitigate the chances of cross contamination by using the same measuring scoop twice.

Finally, if you’d like a printable 4″x6″ recipe card as a PDF, you can download it here.

Blending the Tea

Measure 30g (1/2 cup) of dried hibiscus calyx (hibiscus sabdariffa), 40g (1/2 cup) of dried rose hips (rosa spp.), 10g (1/4 cup) of dried lemongrass leaf (cymbopogon citratus), 15g (1/4 cup) of dried lemon peel, and 15g (2 Tbsp) of cinnamon bark (cinnamomum spp.) into an air tight jar and mix well.

If you use the blend within a couple of months a glass jar with a good fitting lid will work well. A darkened amber jar will be best, but isn’t completely necessary if you use the tea blend in a short amount of time.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. For educational purposes only.