'The Kitchen Witch Is In' Tea Blend

A ‘Kitchen Witch’ is someone who knows how to utilize what’s in their kitchen to promote healing and support the body’s natural abilities to thrive and heal.

This blend is one that you could mostly replicate at home (sans Astragalus and Rosehips, unless you already have those stocked) because most of these plants and spices are already in your kitchen or in your garden. I wanted to create something for you during this momentous time in our history, that would not only support your respiratory system, but also warm you and support healthy digestion as well. Please use small amounts of the tea in your blend, as a little goes a long way!!

You can order this tea from me on my website (here), or do your own version at home with the ingredients you already have.

‘The Kitchen Witch Is In’ Tea Blend Recipe

• 2 parts Rosemary

• 2 parts Peppermint

• 1 part Thyme 

• 1 part Astragalus, 

• ½ part Rosehips (can use orange peels too if you don’t have rosehips)

• ¼ part Cinnamon

• ¼ part Ginger

• ⅛ part Cloves

Let’s Explore the Benefits of These Magickal Plants

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary is a plant most are familiar with in delicious culinary dishes, but as a medicinal herb it is a powerful plant for helping to improve cognition, memory, and clarity as has been used both internally and externally for those living with Alzheimers. Rosemary is also beneficial when trying to break up congestion that comes with cold and flu, which is one of the main reasons I chose this plant for our current season of seasonal allergies, colds, flu, and of course COVID-19. In addition, it is helpful in improving digestion, circulation, inflammation, and is an antiviral and antibacterial herb. Not recommended to be ingested in large quantities during pregnancy and lactation.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Thyme is another herb that most are familiar with because it has been used in meals throughout generations in many cultures and families. Like Rosemary, I chose this herb because it is particularly useful when you have a sore throat and congestion, recovering from cold or flu. In addition, it is known as an ‘expectorant’ which means it helps the body ‘expectorate’ or get rid of mucus and phlegm from the throat or lungs. It has been shown to be helpful for speeding up recovery time for people recovering from bronchitis in a double blind study (Kemmerich et al, 2006). Thyme is also excellent for improving digestion and reducing pain. It is also antiviral and antibacterial. I could go on about the benefits of both Rosemary and Thyme, but that’ll be for another time! 

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Yet another plant that most of us have had a lot of experience with in our kitchens all of our lives. Peppermint is especially helpful with easing digestion, gas, and bloating, and has been shown to be extremely helpful with managing the very painful symptoms of IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, it helps to temporarily inhibit mucus production, which can be helpful when recovering from colds and flu and other respiratory difficulties. You can create an herbal steam, simply by boiling some water, adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil, or even brewing this tea and holding it under your your nose as it begins to cool, allowing the vapors to decongest you. It is also antiviral and antibacterial.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus is known as an ‘immunomodulator’, a term that is used by herbalists to describe a category of plants that have positive effects on the responsiveness of the immune system. As a musician, I think of immune modulators like a sound guy balancing the levels of the instruments to get a harmonious overall sound. He may turn some instruments up, some down, and continue to adjust the sounds and tones as the performance ensues (if he’s a good sound guy!). Astragalus has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to improve the immune system, especially when it pertains to respiratory conditions such as cold and flu. I could quite honestly write a TON about this plant, but again, it will be for another time. I included it in this tea for it’s immune strengthening benefits and for you to become familiar with it, if you’re not already. It’s plant that can easily be incorporated into foods, such as smoothies, soups, chai lattes, teas, rice, and much much more. Get to know this plant!! Not to be used during pregnancy and lactation. Some debate as to whether to use this in therapeutic doses when someone has a chronic autoimmune disease (such as Chronic Lyme Disease).

Rosehips (R. spp)

Rosehips have some of the highest concentrations of vitamin C, which is one reason you find them in so many skin care products, as vitamin C is extremely beneficial for gorgeous skin!! Vitamin C helps build connective tissue as well as helps to reduce inflammation...and most people think of vitamin C for helping boost the immune system of course!!

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

I am known to add ‘way too much’ cinnamon to meals, drinks, etc, because I absolutely love both the taste and the benefits. It is incredibly wonderful at warming the body and increasing circulation, which can be helpful when someone is experiencing chills with a fever or for someone who experiences poor circulation overall. In addition, it is yet another wonderful spice that helps aid in digestion.

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

Ginger is famous for helping improve digestion, but it is also incredibly beneficial when taken while having a cold or flu. It’s warming nature can help to get stuck mucus out of the body, as well as to help reduce inflammation overall. Even just ginger tea by itself can be incredibly healing if you have a sore throat, and it’s antimicrobial properties can also help to keep infections at bay.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Cloves are another beneficial spice for aiding in digestion and warming the body. It is also utilized to help reduce pain for toothaches and inflammation overall. In addition, it is extremely beneficial for those who are experiencing congestion from cold and flu. A little goes a long way!

You can order this tea from me on my website (here), or do your own version at home with the ingredients you already have.

How cute are these towels from The Spirit Den?!