A Chai For Your Winter Blues
Using Saint John’s Wort instead of a black tea can help you achieve a calming effect while drinking your favorite afternoon pick-me-up.
If I don’t feel cheery, this cup will help get me there.
Although I like the cozy enclosure of my apartment during a winter storm, I haven’t been feeling the hygge spirit this February. It seems like we’ve spent roughly a decade apart without our family or friends, so I’ve had to double down on my efforts to make myself feel at home in my own home.
Fun teas and winter beverages are definitely a part of that ritual, not just because of the flavors. I also have found these drinks the easiest way to incorporate herbalist practices into my diet.
Saint John’s Wort has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for anxiety, depression, and sciatica. It became popularized in American culture in the the early 2000s when 60 Minutes did a segment on the herb. Herbalists recommend regularly ingesting Saint John’s Wort over a 2 to 3 week period for it to actually have beneficial results.
If this herb is so great, then why aren’t we using it in our diets more regularly? To put it in the words of my partner, on its own, Saint John’s Wort tastes “like ass.” He’s being a little dramatic— it does taste similar to black tea, but a lot more tannic. The goods news is that you can easily mask the overwhelming bitterness by infusing your concoction with spices. By giving the brew a greater depth, you can make that deep base note seem intentional and have a drink perfect for everyday.
Saint John’s Wort is a powerful herb to be certain, and it is important to research whether or not it will react with any other medication you may be taking. If you are on any SSRIs or MAO-Inhibitors, then perhaps replace the Saint John’s Wort in this recipe with some regular black tea and some ashwaganda for its mood-boosting properties. Please check with your healthcare provider or do some research of your own before diving head first.
Saint John’s Wort Chai (aka, Sad Girl Tea)
Makes 2-3 Large Mugs Full
Ingredients:
1 pint milk of choice
1 pint water
1-2 inches ginger root, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons peppercorns
6-8 star anise pods
6-8 green cardamom pods
3-4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
2 black tea bags (optional— see note)
10 g or 2.5 Tablespoons Saint John’s Wort
Honey to taste
Procedure:
Lightly crush your spices using a spice grinder, a mortar and pestle, or a kitchen mallet on a cutting board.
Place all ingredients except for the tea, the saint john’s wort, and the honey in a pot on the stove. Bring your mixture to a boil (watch carefully so the milk doesn’t boil over). Turn your heat to low, cover your pot with a lid, and steep the mixture for at least a half hour. If you are willing to simmer it for longer, the flavors that develop will be stronger.
When you feel satisfied with the flavors in your pot, add the tea and the saint john’s wort. Turn off the heat, cover the pot again, and steep the mixture for five to eight minutes.
Strain your tea, and sweeten to taste using honey.
Note: We’re really fond of this Tazo Earl Grey blend in my household. It has a really bergamot-y scent to it. Even though it is not traditional, that’s what I used for this tea. If you are caffeine sensitive, you can also just leave the tea out altogether.
