Herbal Sun-Brewed Tea

The dog days of summer may be behind us here in the north, but while nights are turning cool, the bright, clear skies of the days are the perfect opportunity to brew this delicious herbal sun tea to soak up the sun’s energy and nourish your system while strengthening your agni or digestive fire. 

According to Ayurveda, this is considered pitta time, with onset of vata or Fall season. This tea recipe  balances vata and pitta doshas and has flowers and herbs with predominantly sweet and astringent tastes. You can also use herbs with cooling energetics like mint that help balance pitta and aid in strengthening your digestive system.

Rooibos chai with rose petals and cardamom is my absolute favorite brew combination. Some other combinations I have tried are tulsi chai with mint, lemon verbena and fresh ginger and lavender with lemon and rosemary. For a stronger brew, consider boiling the water before adding the flowers and herbs to it. Dried flowers and herbs will result in a stronger flavor. If you prefer a more subtle flavor like me, use room temperature water along with fresh flowers and herbs.

Recipe: Rooibos with Rose Petals and Cardamom

Ingredients (everything organic)

• 2 cups red fresh rose petals
• 4 tea bags of Rooibos vanilla chai
• 6-7 green cardamom pods crushed
• sweeten with honey (optional)
• coconut milk (optional)

Method 

1. Add the rose petals, rooibos chai tea bags, and crushed cardamom pods to a gallon sized mason jar.
2. Fill it with water ¾ of the way.
3. Place it in a sunny spot for 3–4 hours.
4. Strain, and drink up as is or sweeten with some honey and add a splash of coconut milk. 

Do soak up the sun while you still can, pour yourself a delicious cup of sun brewed tea and sip away!