Crowned Tulsi Elixir

Year of Honeys # 9 - In the fall I was playing around with tea blends & this one quickly became a favorite on damp gray days. It's curiously warming without adding heat to my already internally hot constitution. As I mull over new ideas for honeys, this tea came to mind and sang out to me to be transformed into an elixir. While it doesn't have the decadent-ness of the Rose Cacao Elixir, it's comforting & soothing - just as you'd want for curling up with a book on a rainy day!

To make you’ll need:

~ 1/2 cup dried organic tulsi (holy basil)

~ 1/8 cup whole green cardamom pods

~ 1/8 cup dried organic orange peel

~ 16 oz (pint) sterilized jar with lid

~ local raw honey

~ 80-100 proof (40-50%) alcohol of choice - I prefer brandy for elixirs

Crush cardamom pods in a mortar & pestle to release seeds. Sift out seeds & place in jar. Add orange peel & tulsi to jar. Pour in alcohol to fill jar about 3/4. This just covered the dried herbs. Add honey to fill jar. Gently stir so everything is well blended. Label jar with ingredients & date. Let infuse for at least 2 weeks. Give the jar a love flip top to bottom (& then bottom to top) once a day to make sure the goodies stay submerged & any bubbles surface. You can start tasting at any time. When you like the flavor, strain out the bits & start adding to your menu! The longer it infuses, the stronger

the flavor will be. This does not need refrigerated since no moisture was added.

Ways to use: Take a teaspoon at a time, add to tea/coffee or mix with carbonated water/tonic for a fizzy drink.

Some benefits of cardamom: High in antioxidants, which may help lower blood pressure; anti-inflammatory properties may aid in protection from chronic diseases; may relieve upset from digestive problems & may improve oxygen intake by relaxing the airway. Aroma calms nerves encouraging good sleep, decreased anxiety & is a mood lifter. Orange peel: High in Vitamin C, fiber, provitamin A, folate, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, calcium & disease-fighting polyphenols. They also contain limonene, a chemical that may protect against skin cancer. Vitamin C & fiber are beneficial for heart & digestive health. Polyphenols help manage many chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease {more info here}. Tulsi: High in vitamin A and C, calcium, zinc, iron, chlorophyll, antioxidants & adaptogenic. Supports mental balance to lower depression & anxiety, reduces forgetfulness, exhaustion & sleep problems. Aids in digestion & stomach ulcers, relieves respiratory issues like bronchitis.