Winter warmers

Another herbal / wild-spiced chai recipe, to inspire a Winter Wander ♡

Hi!

Have you noticed the light? I have been loving the glimmers this week: in the morning there’s a glow instead of deep darkness, and this week at Herb Club kids could go home in daylight - it does feel like a huge shift!

Nearly the last day of January; and though the light is returning, it’s still so cold. I was reminded about the many ways to make Chai, for thawing the chill with drinks that will warm you up from inside out!

Do you remember a few weeks ago I shared a recipe using Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) roots in place of cloves?

This week at Herb Club we made spiced Winter biscuits with this wonderful wild-spice, and the kids gave it a double-thumbs-up and 11/10!

We used the recipe for Winter biscuits in their Year in Herbs journal, but replaced the Pine needle with powdered Wood Avens root & Hogweed seed.

So — if you have gone to the effort of digging / drying / roasting / grinding, there’s an idea for another way to use Wood Avens root!

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Back to Chai: it’s such a favourite, especially this time of year when I’m good and ready to feel some warmth! It has unique and warming spices and flavours that can be adjusted to any taste, and it’s easy to make recipe variations that support Winter wellness and warm you up.

This week I’d like to share one more way to make a herbal / chai-spiced drink. I think this would make a lovely project for the weekend - it uses Scots Pine needles in combination with warming spices:

Is there somewhere local you can find some Scots Pine? There are loads here in East Lothian..

Forest time, Pine needles, warm drink: bliss.

Scots Pine needle forest Chai for respiratory wellness

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles can be made into a forest tea with chai spices that is not only delicious and feels deeply woven into this season, but is also helpful for respiratory wellness.

Refer to your Year in Herbs journal for a detailed description on how to identify Scots Pine, and please be very careful not to confuse it with toxic Yew.

Pine needles have many herbal properties, and traditional herbalists have found them particularly good for the respiratory system. We can also use Pine and other conifer needles for antibacterial, pain-relieving properties, as an expectorant for coughs, and to help relieve chest congestion.

Once you’ve collected your Pine needles, you can either use them fresh or dry them for longer storage. If drying, store in a glass jar in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.

The dry ingredients listed will give you a Chai Blend which you can store in a glass jar, and is enough to make 12 cups (1tbsp / cup)

INGREDIENTS

• 200g Pine needles or tips, dried or fresh

• 1 tbsp dried orange peel

• 1 tbsp cinnamon chips

• 1 tbsp green cardamom pods lightly crushed (or Hogweed seeds)

• 1 tbsp star anise pods lightly crushed (or Wood Avens root, roasted and crushed)

• 1 tbsp dried ginger pieces

• 1/2 tsp black peppercorns lightly crushed

• raw honey to taste (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Combine the Pine needles, orange zest, cinnamon chips, cardamom pods/ Hogweed seeds, star anise pods / Wood Avens root, ginger, and peppercorns. This is your chai blend.

  • If you have used dried Pine needles, store in a jar with a tight fitting lid in a cool, dark place and use within one year.

  • If you are using fresh Pine needles, leave the jar loosely covered, and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

• To prepare the tea, steep one heaping tablespoon of the mixture per cup of near boiling water in a tea pot or press.

• Infuse for 5 to 7 minutes or longer if desired, then strain in a serving mug. Sweeten with raw honey if desired.

Upcoming events in seasonal Herbalism

I find such presence, wonder and enjoyment in connecting with the season’s healing - and delicious! - herbs like this, and I’m looking forward to sharing their magic at two upcoming in-person events:

Alongside Aimee at Wild Tide Yoga, I’m looking forward to a beautiful Yoga & Herbal Wellness Evening mini-retreat:

• Friday 6th February, 6:30 - 9pm, Tyninghame Village Hall

There are just two spots remaining, if you’d like to join us for a wonderfully nourishing, restorative, seasonally-inspired evening.

And slightly further on into spring, Tamsyn and I are looking forward to a Spring Equinox Yin Yoga & Herbalism morning.

• Sunday 22nd March, 9-11am, Move Yoga, North Berwick.

I hope this weekend there is time for a wander in the woods, and you might be able to make your own version of the Scots Pine needle forest Chai for respiratory wellness,

With love,

Liz xx