Himalayan Chamomile & Rhododendron Tea

The goodness of Chamomile, a flower known to calm the senses and aid relaxation beside a host of other curative benefits with the blood pressure alleviating and anti-inflammatory Rhododendron make for a fine, restorative, and rejuvenating cup of tea. Because of its phytochemical potential, Rhododendron flowers are used by people in mountainous regions to treat various ailments. It is also great for digestion.

Harvested wild in the high Himalayas during spring and summer, they are a caffeine-free alternative to relax and rejuvenate post a workout or a long day’s work. They also make an ideal dessert tea, a great sugar-free alternative to dessert post a meal. Best on its own as a recovery drink post a workout, if brewed early and cooled, serves well over ice too.

HOW TO BREW

1. Bring unfiltered water to a gentle boil to approximately 90 deg. Celsius (208 deg. Fah.).
2. Place 1 tsp. tea (2.5 gms. approx.) per cup in a pre-heated tea pot, and pour the water from above. In case of several cups, add a tsp. extra for the pot.
3. Steep for 3-5 mins. as per taste. Add a sweetener only if desired.

Cold Brew

Cold Brew involves steeping the tea over a period of time to extract maximum flavours. By not adding hot water, it is said, one can extract the maximum benefits of tea.

1. Place tea in a ratio of 1 tbsp per glass, 220ml, preferably in a glass/porcelain jug
2. Leave to steep in the refrigerator for 15-18 hrs as per taste.
3. Decant and pour over ice and add honey if desired.

Enhance the Flavour

Add a spot of honey and a drop or two of lemon if desired.

Attention: People who are allergic to plants like ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies are more likely to experience allergic reactions to Chamomile. As in any natural product, do not consume in excess of 2-3 cups a day.

Chamomile  is one of the most common and oldest medicinal herbs known to mankind ,and it is estimated that globally  people consume more than a million cups of chamomile tea a day, often in the evenings before bed. It has a long list of health benefits derived from the more than 120 chemical constituents it contains, most of which are pharmacologically active. Most commonly , due to its sedative effects, is said to be a great bed time drink.

Rhododendron , grown in the higher regions of the Himalayas has a high socioeconomic reverence and has been designated as the national flower of Nepal and state flower of Himachal Pradesh (India). Because of its powerful phytochemical potential, it is traditionally utilized by the people residing in the mountainous region to treat various ailments like headache, inflammation, bacterial and fungal infections. Its anti- inflammatory properties are believed to be help cardiac activity and alleviate cardiac issues. 

Both of these are sourced from small farms situated at elevations above 7000 FSL in the Himalayan region and when blended together , complement each other’s goodness.