It was at the start of the South African Lockdown (weird how that’s just a thing people globally can understand), for some, it was a quiet time to spend with family catching up on spring cleaning, while for others a time of utter despair. I still think to myself, “Did this really happen, or was I an extra on movie set?”
Everyone was concerned about their immune system, buying out immune boosting supplements based on advice they read or heard about, and winter was not far off. I however, had not stocked up on any medications or immune boosters, but I did manage to grab toilet paper before the hordes could get them. It's not like I didn’t care about the medical stuff, I just did not know where to start.
I stay in a cluster of homes on the same property as my in-laws. We call the property “The Village”, and it just so happened that on one evening one of the villagers sent over a cup of tea. He said, “Drink this and forget about everything else.” I was skeptical, “what was this concoction? Was it going to make me forget?”
I was certain it was not umkomboti. When I drank it, I tasted hints of honey, ginger and more, it was like a combination of the many home remedies my mum would feed me for flus and colds rolled into one cup. The next day I took my tea cup next door and watched my share of the ‘elixir’ being poured from a red teapot.
Within a day or two the tea’s magic had begun to work, I could feel my body detoxing. I felt much lighter and energetic, while my husband’s smoker chest had started to clear.
Such simple ingredients provided to us by nature making such an immediate impact. I couldn’t help but notice the simplicity. It became a routine, watching the red teapot and then going home and sipping the 'elixir' in silence.
Until the tea guy said: “I'm busy, make your own damn tea!”
Recipe in hand, we soon had our own teapot brewing away at home. We drank it for a few weeks before laziness took over. We named it The Black Tea as its key ingredient is Black Seed (Khulungi).
My father & mother in law are both now in their sixties, both were unlucky enough to be infected with Covid-19. While their symptoms were mild, we all feared the worst, especially considering issues aside from age, that made them even more 'at risk'.
They however, took it in their stride, and today by the grace of God, have completely recovered with no lasting effects.
If you ask them how they did it, they'd list things like, "Positivity, fresh air, walking, not wallowing in fear, medication," but primarily they'll extol the virtues of The Black Tea.
I feel obligated to share with you this simple recipe that uses infamous ingredients, famed for their use in historical natural remedies. On those days when you feel like you have no energy or simply want to relax or detox, please brew yourself a cup of tea.
Although the taste was almost perfect at home, I think the final spice came from that red teapot.
Ingredients: Serves one
1/2 Teaspoon Black Seeds (Khulungi)
1 Small knob of Fresh Ginger (About 1/4 of an inch)
1 Tablespoon of Honey
1 Stem Lemon Grass
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice (Fresh or bottled)
Method:
Lightly crush the Black Seeds, or grind it in a spice/coffee grinder. Lightly crush your ginger, before adding with the rest of the ingredients in a teapot with about a cup and half of water.
Brew until the Black Seeds begins to change color, and they release some foam to the top of the brew.
Drink while it's still hot to yield the best results, but please don't be burning yourselves.
After adjusting to our "new normal", I think we all are doing our best to eat better and have more balance in our life. But with the pressure of time it is not that simple.
It can be as simple as always carrying a bottle of water with you or adding honey to your tea or cereal instead of sugar. Having a healthier alternative snacks nearby when its snack time such as Dried Fruit Mix, Tropical Mix or even a Keto Mix is also a great way to cut out unnecessary carbs.
Comments