When Yogi Bhajan was a military commander in India there was an epidemic among the troops. He ordered all of his men to fill their canteens with yogi tea and drink nothing else, not even water. His battalion was the only unit that didn’t get sick! Yogi tea purifies the blood, lungs, and circulatory system. It cleans the liver and has many more unseen benefits. It’s good to drink this tea every day.

• 1 gallon water

• 30 cloves

• 30 whole green cardamom pods

• 30 whole black peppercorns

• 1 finger of fresh ginger, thinly sliced

• 5 sticks cinnamon

• 1 teabag, black tea

• *Milk and honey to taste (*optional)

Instructions:

1. Bring water to boil.

2. Add all spices (but leave out the black tea bag). Boil 30–45 min. Longer is stronger.

3. Finally, add black tea bag and boil another 5 minutes. The black tea is added last because it amalgamates the spices and seals in their flavor. Also the tannins make it easier for the body to assimilate the spices.

4. If adding milk and honey, do so after adding the tea bag and letting it steep—or add milk and honey to individual cup or a small batch. That way you can store the raw tea in the fridge and prepare with milk and honey as you go.

5. If you go cup by cup, you can leave the raw tea on the stove on the lowest flame to enjoy all day.

Milk helps to ease the shock of the spiciness on the stomach and intestines, so drink with milk if you’re prone to digestive upsets. You use rice or almond milk if you’re sensitive to dairy. 

Note: For a stronger tea you can let the spices sit and sink to the bottom. If the tea gets really strong, you can add milk or dilute it with a little water.