You can make delicious Licorice Tea at home!  This healing tea blend combines sweet and warming herbs with several adaptogenic herbs that help the body restore balance and adapt to stress.

Today, I’m sharing one of my very favorite tea recipes!

I’ve always loved the taste of licorice but have never been able to find a licorice tea blend that I enjoy until I started making my own.

I love this flavor combination!  It’s delicious and naturally sweet from the licorice, cinnamon, and orange peel and then with the added cloves. . . well, it just makes for a wonderful winter tea!

 I also add several adaptogenic herbs into my tea blend:  ashwagandha, astragalus and eleuthero root (Siberian ginseng.)   These herbs help the body adapt to stress and bring the body into balance.

The Ingredients in Licorice Tea

Licorice:

One of the most-used herbs in Traditional Chinese medicine.  It’s wonderful for soothing a sore throat and dry cough, and is used for heartburn, IBS, ulcers, fatigue, stress and more.  It also has adaptogenic qualities which means it helps the body adapt to stress and helps restore balance within the body.

 Licorice can have some side effects, especially when taken in large amounts.   Avoid licorice root if you have high blood pressure and/or edema and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  According to Herbalist Rosalee de la Forȇt, licorice root may also interact with corticosteroid medications by increasing their effect.

Cinnamon Chips:

 Cinnamon chips are chopped pieces of cinnamon bark (cinnamon sticks) and leaf.   They should not be confused with the baking cinnamon chips sold near the chocolate chips!  Cinnamon not only adds a delicious flavor to our tea, it increases circulation, warms the body and supports healthy digestion.

Orange Peel:  

 High in Vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals.  This adds a subtle orange flavor to our tea blend.

Ashwagandha Root:

A calming adaptogenic herb that helps the body adapt to stress and brings the body into balance.  It helps restore healthy sleep patterns and is especially useful for those who are exhausted.   It has the unique ability to both strengthen and calm the nervous system.

Astragalus Root:

 An immune supporting adaptogenic herb that slowly builds up the system.   It is useful for those who are run down and get frequent colds and flu.  It is also beneficial for the heart, liver, blood and kidneys and for those with cancer.

Eleuthero Root:

Also known as Siberian Ginseng, Eleuthero Root (another adaptogenic herb) helps to support healthy circulation, energy, endurance, and increased memory. It also strengthens the immune system.

Chamomile Flowers:

A soothing and calming herb, chamomile aides in healthy digestion and is an anti-inflammatory.  It calms the nervous system and can also relax muscle tissue (such as menstrual cramps.)

Cloves:

Clove is a digestive aid that soothes and relaxes the inner lining of the intestines.   We are using cloves in this tea blend for the distinctive flavor it adds.

I purchase most of my herbs from my favorite herb store, The Bulk Herb Store.

How to Prepare Licorice Tea

To the get the most flavor and benefit from drinking Licorice Tea, we are going to prepare a decoction.   Because  we are using roots and bark in our tea, the best way to extract all the goodness from these herbs is by simmering it slowly over low heat for about 30-45 minutes.  For an even stronger decoction, you could simmer it for 30 minutes and then pour the mixture in a glass jar to infuse overnight.  Simply reheat it in the morning or drink it at room temperature.

If you are short on time, you could certainly prepare the licorice tea as you would any other tea by pouring boiling water over the herbs, covering it and letting it steep for 15-30 minutes.

Enjoy!   Let me know if you enjoy this tea blend as much as I do!

–Jen 

Do you enjoy making your own tea blends?  You might enjoy my post on Healing Herbal Teas for When You are Sick or my FREE Ebook, 3 Home Remedies You Can Make in an Afternoon. 

Resources: 

“Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief” by David Winston and Steven Maimes

Rosalee de la Forȇt.   http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/

How to Make Delicious Licorice Tea

Yields:   1 quart of Licorice Tea Blend

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cut and sifted licorice root

• 1/2 cup cinnamon chips

• 1/2 cup dried orange peel

• 1/2 cup cut and sifted ashwagandha root

• 1/2 cup cut and sifted astragalus root

• 1/2 cup cut and sifted eleuthero root (Siberian ginseng)

• 1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers

• 2 tbsp dried cloves

Instructions:

Stir to combine thoroughly.  Store in a glass jar with a tightly fitted lid.

To prepare: Add 1 tbsp per cup of water and simmer over low heat for 30-45 minutes.  Alternately, you could pour hot water over the herbs, cover for 15 minutes and then strain.  You will get more flavor and extract more from the herbs by simmering for 30 minutes.

**Recipe adapted from http://www.nourishingdays.com/2011/02/delicious-healing-licorice-root-tea-for-colds-flus-and-adrenal-health/

 Subscribe Here

My Healthy Homemade Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Enjoy this post? Share & Like

Print Recipe

How to Make Delicious Licorice Tea

This healing tea blend combines sweet and warming herbs with several adaptogenic herbs that help the body restore balance and adapt to stress.

Course

Beverages, Home Remedies

Prep Time

5 minutes

Servings

quart (dried tea blend)

Ingredients

• 1 cup cut and sifted licorice root
• 1/2 cup cinnamon chips
• 1/2 cup dried orange peel
• 1/2 cup cut and sifted ashwagandha root
• 1/2 cup cut and sifted astragalus root
• 1/2 cup cut and sifted eleuthero root (Siberian ginseng)
• 1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers
• 2 tbsp whole cloves

Course Beverages, Home Remedies Prep Time 5 minutes Servings quart (dried tea blend) Ingredients 1 cup cut and sifted licorice root 1/2 cup cinnamon chips 1/2 cup dried orange peel 1/2 cup cut and sifted ashwagandha root 1/2 cup cut and sifted astragalus root 1/2 cup cut and sifted eleuthero root (Siberian ginseng) 1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers 2 tbsp whole cloves

Instructions

1. Stir to combine thoroughly. Store in a glass jar with a tightly fitted lid.
2. To prepare: Add 1 tbsp per cup of water and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Alternately, you could pour hot water over the herbs, cover for 15 minutes and then strain. You will get more flavor and extract more from the herbs by simmering for 30 -45 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Recipe by Jennifer Prentice @ www.myhealthyhomemadelife.com.

Adapted from http://www.nourishingdays.com/2011/02/delicious-healing-licorice-root-tea-for-colds-flus-and-adrenal-health/

 Licorice can have some side effects, especially when taken in large amounts.   Avoid licorice root if you have high blood pressure and/or edema and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

According to Herbalist  Rosalee de la Forȇt, licorice root may also interact with corticosteroid medications by increasing their effect.

 

Share this Recipe