Cardamom Seeds (Elettaria cardamomum) have a beautifully aromatic flavour. Herbalist Julia Graves says “ It’s a lot like ginger but more aromatic and less hot.” LIke, ginger, it supports the digestive and respiratory tract protecting against pathogens and reducing any discomfort such as bloating, indigestion, and gas. It has been used in traditional herbal medicine for coughs, colds, bronchitis, and asthma. The aromatic qualities are also very uplifting to the mood. 

Cinnamon bark  (Cinnamomum verum) is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an important herb for digestion. It is said, “as the bark protects the tree, cinnamon protects and strengthens the intestines.” It plays a major role in helping to balance blood sugar levels and reduce excess demands on adrenal cortisol production.Cinnamon has warming properties that help boost peripheral circulation, bringing warmth to the extremities.  It is also highly antimicrobial, making it effective against pathogens in the entire digestive tract.

Chicory Root (Cichorium intybus) brings a sweet nutty flavour to this blend. It also has bitter qualities that promote liver function, ease digestion, and improve assimilation of nutrients. Generally, Chicory has been used in traditional herbalism for its beneficial effect on elimination and detoxification pathways and helps to cleanse the blood. American herbalist, Mathew Wood notes that “ Chicory strengthens the tissues that digest and assimilate food, the blood that carries the nutriment, and the periphery in which the nutrient is deposited –skin senses, nerves.”

Clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) are well known for their use in cooking and baking. They are often an ingredient in the beloved pumpkin spice blend we find everywhere in the fall. Cloves have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for its high antioxidants, potent antimicrobial properties, and high-nutrient profile. It protects the digestive and respiratory system against pathogens, oxidative stress and helps improve immunity.

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinalis) is another powerful circulatory herb with warming properties. American Herbalist Matthew Wood says, “it is suited to people who feel chilly. It brings warmth to the digestive tract, improves fat digestion, promotes bile secretions and movement of food through the digestive tract, reducing stagnation, irritation, and gas.” These warming properties are also helpful for cold and flus as it helps move heat out of the body and promote perspiration. As a circulatory stimulant it is helpful for arthritic pains, which can get worse in cooler and damp temperatures. Ginger has also been shown to reduce the levels of inflammatory markers, which help reduce pain and inflammation. 

Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) are a wonderful carminative herb. This means their high volatile oil content helps promote relaxation of the smooth muscle of the digestive tract. Therefore, it is useful in cases of digestive upset, indigestion, gas and bloating. Studies have also shown that fennel seed oil demonstrated significant anti-bacterial qualities against E. coli, staph and other bacteria. The volatile oils present in fennel have also shown to have bronchodilating effect, which supports the use of fennel for lung infections or cough. 

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) adds a sweet flavour to this tea, however, it is also used in several herbal traditions to help reduce inflammation, protect the mucous membranes of the lungs and digestive tract, support proper digestive function, and support the adrenal glands. In Ayurveda, it is used as a tonic herb to treat throat infections, peptic ulcers, constipation, and arthritis. The Eclectics used it to reduce irritation of mucous surfaces of the urinary, respiratory, and digestive tract. In Chinese Medicine, it is said to tonify the Spleen, benefit Qi, and moisten the lungs. It is also used as a harmonising herb within a formula.