Winter days - hot drinks

It's not that the weather is extremely cold or anything, but as I was sitting at home feeling a bit weak and having cold feet I made myself a Greek mountain tea with honey just to sit in front of the TV, cover my feet in a fluffy blanket, light a burner with geranium oil and enjoy a lazy afternoon. So, yeah this post is actually inspired by cold feet and a lazy afternoon at home.

Starting with the classic Greek mountain tea which I think in Greece at least we have all tasted it once in our life time. I remember my mum making me one quite often when I was little and when we used to live in Mombasa - long time a go - some of our guests always preferred it over coffee.

Anyway, the mountain tea is very good for colds, because of its inflammatory, bactiriostatic and antioxidant properties. It also helps problems to the urinary system and the heart due to flavonoids. Preparation: in boiled temperature water you add few shoots and you leave it for 10 minutes, after that and when the tea is not extremely hot you can add a teaspoon of honey. You don't boil the water together with the tea and so the beneficial properties are preserved. The mountain tea is tasteful even cold.

Another classic remedy is the water-lemon-honey mix. Very beneficial for coughs, sore throats, colds and fever. It's a very simple hot drink with antibacterial properties and rich in vitamins. Preparation: 1 fresh-squished lemon juice, 1 tea spoon of honey and hot boiled water. Drink when hot, you will feel a relief if you have a sore throat.

A hot herb drink that helped me a lot few weeks ago is the spearmint. I had a terrible stomach ache, for a moment I couldn't even move, most probably it had to do with my digestive system and anyway my mom told me that a cup of hot spearmint would help and it sure did. Spearmint is antispasmodic and digestive with a very pleasant and refreshing taste. Preparation: 1 tea spoon of dry spearmint boiled with water.

For premenstrual conditions a very warming drink is the cinnamon. Cinnamon has antispasmodic properties and because of its woody nature it's perfect also for scanty periods. Preparation: 1 piece of cinnamon stick boiled with water.

Last but not least, the queen of all, what I so call the saffron tea which I 'invented' a couple of months ago. Saffron is known for its digestive and antiseptic action, but recent research has proven that it also possess strong antioxidant properties and that helps to boost your memory. It's a perfectly pure spice that generally contributes to good health and well being. I usually make a pot and drink it during a day or two.

I really love it because the taste stays the same even if it's a days long and cold. And its aroma is so damn perfect and extraordinary. Preparation (for a cup): less than a 1/4 tea spoon of saffron powder, 1 tea spoon of honey and 1 drop of lemon essential oil (or 1-2 table spoons of lemon juice). If you make a pot (1 lt.) you might want to add a little more of saffron and maybe 2 drops instead of 1 of lemon ess. oil.

You first mix well the lemon essential oil with the honey so that it is diluted, and then add the saffron and hot water.

Give it a shake and En(eRGy)JoY!