Medicinal tea

During cold periods combined with menstrual discomfort, I usually make this simple tea with readily available ingredients. The blend of cumin, chamomile, and lime blossom finds its way into my cup whenever I feel the need for something to soothe my stomach and relax my overall state. The citrus part and honey greatly enhance the taste, but also the effect.

Quick Info

Total time: about 15 minutes
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Infusion time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 large cups (about 500 ml)
Difficulty: very easy
Recipe type: medicinal tea for cold or digestive/menstrual discomfort

Ingredients

500 ml water
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 chamomile tea bag
1 linden tea bag
1 lemon
3 teaspoons honey

Preparation method

1. Bring 500 ml of water to a boil; I use a kettle for speed.
2. Wash the lemon well. Slice half of the lemon thinly, and squeeze the other half directly into a pitcher or container where I can mix the tea at the end.
3. In a large cup, add two teaspoons of cumin seeds, the chamomile bag, and the linden bag.
4. When the water boils, pour it over the ingredients in the cup. Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes, uncover and strain the tea directly over the lemon juice in the pitcher.
6. Add the lemon slices to the pitcher.
7. Add the three teaspoons of honey and mix well while the tea is still hot, so it dissolves easily.

Why I make this recipe often

It's quick to make and doesn't require complicated measurements. The ingredients are always at hand. The lemon and honey balance the taste, and the combination of herbs covers multiple symptoms: cold, bloating, abdominal pain. It's easy to adapt to what I have at home.

Tips and variations

Tips

Do not use reheated water; the tea tastes fresher with freshly boiled water.
If the honey doesn't dissolve completely, you can add it after the tea has cooled slightly to preserve its properties.
If you prefer a more intense herbal taste, you can steep it for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Substitutions

If you don't have a linden bag, you can use only chamomile and cumin, but the taste will be milder.
Ground cumin does not have the same effect or aroma; use whole seeds.
You can use any honey you have on hand.

Variations

Sometimes I add a few slices of fresh ginger for an extra warmth.
You can reduce the amount of lemon if you find it too sour.
If you can't stand honey, it works with a bit of sugar or without sweetener.

Serving ideas

Drink the tea while it's still warm, especially when you feel unwell.
It can be poured into a thermos and taken to the office or on the go.
I do not recommend pairing it with cookies or snacks; it’s more for moments when you need medicinal tea.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use only one of the herbs?
Yes, but the effect will not be as complex. Only chamomile or only linden will give a simpler tea, and cumin alone has a quite strong taste.

Is it necessary to use honey, or can I drink it unsweetened?
You can drink it without honey, especially if you want to avoid extra calories or if you have contraindications to sugar. The taste will be more sour from the lemon.

What if I don’t have a pitcher?
You can use any larger container, even a large cup or a small pot. The important thing is to be able to strain the tea and mix it at the end.

How long can I keep the tea?
Ideally, you should drink it fresh, but if you made more, you can keep it covered in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Reheat as needed, but do not boil.

Nutritional values (estimate)

For a cup of approximately 250 ml: about 40-60 kcal, depending on how much honey you use.
Carbohydrates: 10-15g (almost exclusively from honey).
Proteins and fats: almost zero, negligible.
Minerals and vitamins: some vitamin C from lemon and antioxidants from herbs, but not in large quantities.

Storage and reheating

The tea is best consumed immediately after preparation, but if there is any left, you can keep it in the fridge for half a day. Reheat briefly on the stove or in the microwave, just enough to warm it up, not to boil. I do not recommend keeping it longer, as it loses its taste and effect.

Boil water in a kettle. Wash the lemon thoroughly and cut it in half, squeezing one half into a pitcher. Place the tea bags and cumin in a larger cup, add boiling water, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes. Uncover and strain the tea into the pitcher with the squeezed lemon. Add the sliced lemon and honey, mixing vigorously.

Cumin is very good for menstrual pain or bloating. Linden is good for colds. Chamomile helps cleanse the body.

 Ingredients: 500 ml water, 2 teaspoons of cumin seeds, 1 bag of chamomile tea, 1 bag of lime tree tea, 3 teaspoons of honey, 1 lemon

 Tags:  tea