Today was a very snowy day here in northern NJ. While it wasn’t as cold as the previous few weeks, walking around outside in the damp cold weather is sure to chill fingers and toes! For those interested in a delicious and healthy way to warm up, here is an easy recipe for cinnamon tea.

Ingredients:

· 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks (about 3” long each; based on taste preference – use 2 for a spicier tea)

· 1 teaspoon Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries)

· 1 ½ cups of filtered water or spring water

· Honey to taste (optional)

To make a wonderfully warming and healthy tea, place the cinnamon and Goji berries in about 1 ½ cups of filtered water or spring water. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for about 20 minutes. That’s it! Remove from the heat and strain out the cinnamon sticks. The Goji berries can be strained out or, preferably, eaten with the tea. Honey may also be added to taste if desired.

Cinnamon is one of the most important herbs that we use in Chinese medicine. It is traditionally used to warm the body and treat pain conditions, or treat the common cold and flu. Modern research has also shown cinnamon lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, and is a great adjunct for some diabetics.

Goji berries (known properly as Gou Qi Zi in Chinese) are an antioxidant superfood containing important phytochemicals such a beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, betaine, polysaccharides (LBPs), trace minerals and vitamins. In the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the first text of herbal medicine written in China, it is said that long term consumption of Goji berries strengthens the sinews and bones, makes the body light, and slows ageing. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re delicious. We do carry high quality Goji berries if you need a source – and if you’d like to try some just ask!