I love a lot of herbal teas. One of the really great things about them is that you can make them at home with one or two simple ingredients. In fact, many of the seasonings you use to make a flavorful meal can be used to make a truly healthy tea.
The other day I picked up some tarragon at the store. You can find tarragon in the produce aisle right around the basil and mint. Fresh tarragon tastes great when added to eggs, baked with poultry or made into a glaze or dressing, but it’s also pretty fantastic as a tea.
Tarragon is sort of the unsung hero of the spice world. It’s incredibly healthy with benefits that make you stand up and take notice. I paired this tea with ginger, another delicious spice. The two together are pretty powerful. Here is what you can expect with every little sip you take of this tea (recipe below):
Tarragon Benefits:
- Weight Loss Support: Research has shown that tarragon helps to quench the desire to overeat.
- Fatigue Fighter: Tarragon has been shown to help combat fatigue.
- Sleep Aid: Drink a cup of Tarragon Ginger Tea before bed to help you sleep soundly.
- Detoxifier: Tarragon helps to promote bile in the liver, which aids in the elimination of toxins from the body.
Ginger Benefits:
- Inflammation Fighter: Ginger helps to ease achy joints, combat infections and reduce swelling – all forms of inflammation.
- Improve Blood Sugar Management: Research has shown that diabetics who regularly consumed ginger maintained better blood glucose levels.
- Bacteria Killer: Ginger consumption has been shown to fight off Salmonella.
- Tummy Tamer: This spice is also well known for aiding in the relief of nausea.
Both tarragon and ginger contain high levels of antioxidants, which help keep our body from “rusting” from the inside out. They’re both pro-circulatory as well. Obviously improved circulation helps to keep your blood flowing, but it’s also a great way to detoxify your body.
What you need to Tarragon Ginger Tea:
- Fresh Tarragon
- Fresh Ginger
- Water
Tarragon Ginger Tea
Yields 4 Cups
4 sprigs of tarragon (or about 4 tablespoons)
2 inches of ginger, peeled and sliced
4 cups of water
Simply add the tarragon and ginger to 4 cups of water. Bring to a simmer (not a boil). Remove from heat and cover for 15 minutes. Enjoy.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator. It’s best of this tea is consumed within three days to get the most out of the nutrients.
