Chai for a Busy Day

Chai is delicious. But it’s even better when your Chai will get you through your most stressed-out overwhelmed craziness day, and this recipe will do just that!

Adaptogens are a category of plants that help the body deal with stress, and they make up the bulk of this recipe. Some adaptogens are stimulants, but the ones I’ve included here are less stimulant and more nourishing – think: giving your body resources. Many of the plants in this blend are specifically supportive to the adrenal glands and the liver – two organs that really get bombarded during stressful times. I like to brew this up good and dark and drink it with a bit of almond milk or coconut milk. You can boil it on the stove for half an hour or so, or you can run it through your coffee maker. The blend is strong, and you can usually boil it twice – two for one! You can adjust the recipe according to your taste, but here’s what I’ve been making lately:

• 4 parts codonopsis
• 2 parts burdock
• 2 parts dandelion root
• 1 part ginger
• 1 part calamus
• 1 part angelica (A. archangelica)
• 1 part elecampane
• 1 part cardamom
• 1 part cinnamon
• 1 part nutmeg
• 1 part licorice
• 1/2 part fo-ti
• 1/2 part orange peel
• 1/2 part clove
• 1/2 part allspice
• 1/2 part kava
• 1/2 part black tea leaves
• 1/2 part fennel
• some chaga, if it’s applicable

You can order all these herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs, though we particularly like to order sustainable chaga from Kate Gilday.

Over the last month or so, I was wrapping up some pretty big craziness. I found myself brewing a strong pot of this every day, and drinking up the whole thing myself! I got through everything much more calmly than I might have given the circumstances, and I had enough energy to last me through to the end.
Of course, after a stressful time, it’s important to give yourself some good downtime to recuperate! Over the next month or so, some time in the forest and some time near the sea are both on my list, not to mention plenty of early bedtimes. 🙂

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