Skill: The Art of Herbal Blending

Welcome to a new series I am starting in the DIY Recipes community, Brew of the Month! This Cold Weather Detox Tea is perfect for boosting your immune system and detoxifying your body during the chilly months. In this recipe, you'll learn the art of herbal blending—how to combine different herbs to create a synergistic and effective tea blend. Master the skill of selecting herbs for their specific benefits and balancing flavors to create a delightful and nourishing brew.

I find myself making a cup of herbal tea every single day and I love switching up my herbal blends to match the energy of the season. This inspired me to start this new recipe series! This month I am sharing with you a Cold Weather Detox Tea to boost your immune system and have you ready for all the cold weather can throw at you.

Herbal Breakdown

Add a pinch of each for a single serving.

Nettle Leaf

Nettle is one of my go to herbs this time of year. A true powerhouse herb that offers incredible benefits for both immune support and detoxification. Rich in flavonoids and vitamins A and C, it enhances your immune system, helping to fend off germs and reduce allergy symptoms. As an added enchantment, this green guardian possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers, keeping your defenses strong. But nettle leaf doesn't stop there! As a natural diuretic, it promotes the elimination of toxins by increasing urine production, supporting kidney and liver health. It also acts as a blood purifier, contributing to clearer, healthier skin.

Lemon Balm Leaf

Bursting with antioxidants, it shields your body from infections and enhances overall immunity while soothing stress and improving sleep quality. This antiviral herb is a must have in your cold weather arsenal! Also a natural diuretic like nettle, lemon balm helps flush out toxins to support liver health and aids digestion. A valuable ally in your wellness routine, lemon balm is truly my FAVORITE herb. I grow it every place I live and love the delightful lemony taste it adds to your brew.

Marshmallow Root

This next herb wraps your body in a warm, soothing embrace. Rich in antioxidants, it's ready to boost your immune system and fend off pesky infections. With its calming mucilage, it soothes respiratory troubles, reducing coughs and colds. Its anti-inflammatory properties ensure your immune cells stay strong and active. By helping your body produce mucus, marshmallow root promotes the elimination of toxins. It also acts as a digestive aid, comforting your stomach and helping your body flush out unwanted substances. Sipping on marshmallow root tea is like inviting a gentle guardian to protect and cleanse your body from the inside out.

Licorice Root

This special root adds a touch of sweetness to the brew. Its effect is similar to marshmallow root in its mucilage content, making it extra soothing for sore throats. It combines this effect with a powerful antimicrobial action, helping to balance your microbiome and fight off infections. Able to ease digestive woes, helping your stomach stay happy and healthy, while it’s natural diuretic properties ensure toxins are flushed away.

Elderberries

Elderberries are a superfood that have become widely known for its immune boosting and antioxidant properties. It seems like most grocery store shelves house elderberries in some form or another, and for good reason too! Their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties reduce the severity of colds and flu, while unique compounds like quercetin modulate immune responses.

Calendula

This last herb is a bonus to support healthy skin! Calendula adds a bit of floral whimsy to your cup of tea! I like to add one whole blossom to my cup so I can see it bloom in the hot water. There is something lovely about the golden yellow bud this time of year, it feels like a touch of summer in these cold winter days!

A simple how to..

When I make my tea blends I like to make enough for a couple of brews but you can always add a pinch of each herb to your cup for a single serving! I always prefer to use dried herbs so that my brews can be stored for later but if you have fresh herbs just add those directly to each cup when you add your water.

¼ cup of nettle leaves
¼ cup of lemon balm leaves
1 tbsp of marshmallow root
1 tbsp of licorice root
1-2 tbsp of elderberries
2 tbsp of calendula blossoms (or one blossom per cup added with the water)

**Always add water that is not quite boiling to preserve the medicinal compounds of the herbs!

And there you have it, a delightful brew to keep you cozy and fortified through the chilly months! Our Cold Weather Detox Tea is not just a beverage but a warm embrace from nature’s most nurturing herbs. With every sip, you invite the power of nettle, lemon balm, marshmallow root, licorice root, elderberries, and calendula into your day, each bringing their unique gifts to boost your immunity and detoxify your system.

So, as the cold winds blow and the days grow shorter, let this magical tea be your daily ritual—a blend that not only warms your body but also lifts your spirits. Here's to embracing the season with a cup of wellness and a heart full of gratitude. Enjoy your brew, and may your winter be filled with warmth, health, and a touch of floral whimsy!

Happy brewing!

Cold Weather Detox Tea: Brew of the Month January 2025