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When it's cold outside, people turn to hot drinks – like tea – to keep warm. But some teas are considered warming teas that can heat you up from the inside out. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, warming teas can increase your internal qi; the vital energy that circulates throughout your body.
An important part of Chinese medicine involves qi and the yin and yang properties in foods and drinks, according to a blog on the Path of Cha company’s website. Yin contains cooling properties and Yang contains heating properties. In the winter, you want to drink teas made of herbs that contain these warming properties to keep you healthy. Here are five warming teas to try this winter.
Ginger Tea
One of the most warming herbal teas is ginger. Ginger has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, according to Forbes. Ginger can help ease nausea, menstrual cramps, and it is a good source of vitamins including vitamin C which can benefit your immune system. You can make ginger tea by placing fresh ginger into boiling water and letting it seep at least 10 minutes. You can add lemon or spearmint for more healing.
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Ginseng Tea
Ginseng is also an herb that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal healing, according to Healthline. Ginger is rich in antioxidants and could help boost your immune system. But ginger comes with a host of other health benefits too. You can make a warming tea, by just steeping fresh sliced ginseng in hot water for a few minutes.
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Lemon and Pepper Tea
This tangy tea can help you boost your immunity, reported The Times of India. Lemons are high in vitamin C which helps your body produce white blood cells that could fight off colds and viruses. Adding a dash of black pepper to lemon tea could also help fight off ailments and may relieve a scratchy throat. You can make lemon tea by adding the juice of one lemon and ¼ teaspoon of pepper to boiling water. Let simmer for three to five minutes. Add honey if you have a cough.
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Masala Chai
Marsala Chai is also a winter warming tea because of the cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, and cardamom spices that it contains. While marsala chai is available as loose tea or in tea bags, you can always make your own. This recipe from BBC Good Food makes it easy to enjoy this comforting tea.
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Turmeric Tea
Turmeric is a very healthy spice that may boost your immune system as well as a host of other healing benefits, according to Medical News Today. It has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. That’s because this bright yellow herb contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s easy to make turmeric tea. Just use ground turmeric, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of black pepper.
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