Lighten Up Tea

Spring is the season to lighten up. After winter’s chill, it is time to melt the inner freeze. The winter body tends to become stagnant, sluggish and tight. Just as spring’s warmer temperatures melt mountain snow, thaw frozen lakes and cause rivers to swell… Spring is the season for us to defrost, circulate, release and let it flow.

Whether it’s winter’s weight, or life’s excesses you are ready to release, this combination of spices taken in hot water with honey kindles digestive fire, stimulates metabolism, encourages circulation, burns waste and boosts immunity. For optimal benefits, make it in the morning, pour it into a thermos to keep it warm, and sip throughout the day, especially with meals.

Lighten Up Tea

Makes 2 cups

1 inch piece fresh ginger
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons raw honey

Boil 1 cup water. Grate the ginger and stir in with the peppercorns and turmeric and let simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup room temperature water. Strain, pour into 2 mugs and stir in a spoonful honey for each.

Modifications: If you tend to run dry (vata dosha), replace boiled water with boiled almond milk. If you run hot (pitta dosha), use coconut milk, omit the peppercorns and stir fresh mint into your mugs.