Though my home sits squarely on the floor of an open desert, I am also in close proximity to a mountain range. In the rare times it snows atop these mountains, it is quite a sight to behold from this lower, warmer vantage point.
Brrrrrr, far too cold my liking! And our unseasonably cold weather seems to be having a negative affect on my body as well, having been unable to kick this cold of mine which has been lingering for weeks now.
Fortunately, while visiting the local hippie store a few days ago, I ran across an ingredient for a Korean medicinal tea that I have been hunting high and low for. I'm hoping it will be my key back to health.
Daechu-sankang cha (대추생강차) is a medicinal tea prepared by boiling fresh ginger, dried jujubes (Chinese dates), and licorice root, and adding honey to taste once brewed. According to recipe book, licorice root (kamcho) is used to soothe a sore throat and reduce coughs. The merits of ginger are well known, particularly its antioxidant properties. Jujube has very high vitamin C content and is also commonly used to fight sore throat.
Regardless of its medicinal merits, this was a warming, delicious, and comforting tea. I feel better already.
Comments
It should also be noted (since we're going all herbalist for a moment) that licorice root is also a stomach calmative (used for acid stomach and/or ulcers, heartburn, et. al.) and shouldn't be consumed by pregnant women. :)
I love natural medicine.
As an alternate "cold tea" recipe, Jonny, I make one of my own. It is equal parts rose hips (vitamin C), lemongrass (flavor), peppermint (decongestant/stomach calmative) and chamomile (relaxant).
Posted by: Rose | March 13, 2006 04:42 AM
Yeah yeah yeah... yada yada yada... I cure myself with coffee in the morning and wine in the evening. And I'm very healthy.
Posted by: The big H | March 13, 2006 04:44 AM
:-)
Posted by: The big H | March 13, 2006 04:45 AM
feel better soon!
~m
Posted by: michael | March 13, 2006 07:21 AM
We had snow 10 minutes away from Phoenix too! Quite the sight - I love seeing the snow capped mountains in the distance.
Posted by: Joe | March 13, 2006 07:12 PM
That tea looks and sounds very warming, which would be nice on a cold night such as tonight! Though Joe just made me some hot chocolate, which totally hits the spot. I'm spoiled :)
Posted by: Jeff | March 13, 2006 08:23 PM
Rose: thanks for the tip on licorice -- this is handy considering how bad I've had heartburn recently. (Doc's got me on Nexium but my prescription ran out and... ugh.. major relapse during the period between refills.)
Big H: if coffee and wine were a cure-all, I'd be the healthiest person alive. :-D
Michae: thanks! P.S. Love your graphics!
Joe & Jeff: as much as I dislike cold, I have to admit the site of snow on the mountains (in the desert) really amazes me. And yes Jeff, I agree you completely spoiled, judging from all of Joe's pictures! But that's not a bad thing, right?
Posted by: Evil Jonny | March 14, 2006 06:53 AM
I give up. What's the "local hippie store" ???
Posted by: The Illustrated Librarian | March 14, 2006 03:43 PM
A wierd Hong Kong cold remedy (this is quite common) consists of coke and slices of lemon in cup zapped in the microwave for about 1 minute. But, yeah, herbal ones are the best. What's with the heartburn? I seem to hear of a lot of Korean ppl having heartburn/stomach/hyperacidity problems. Not sure if its bc of the drinking/smoking/food they have.
Anyways, havent checked your archives, but just wondering if you have cooked su-jae-bi. My bf would laugh at me when I ask for it all the time, saying its 'poor ppl's food', but I love it. Its a soup with 'hand-cut' flour noodles and vegies. Its great if u need sumthin warm. Have u also had this Korean Breakfast toast/sandwich before? I didnt like it at first, but after a few more goes, it grows on u.
Posted by: Darkhorse | March 14, 2006 03:50 PM
TIL: I think it's called Nature's RX -- on Sunrise, right near the libr@ry. Overpriced hippie goods galore.
Dark: I don't think I've tried su jae bi before and definitely I haven't tried breakfast toast... do you have a recipe?
I can imagine part of the problem is Korean food in terms of acidic stomach. So much of the food has got chili in it. I'm sure it's good for the body as a whole but maybe not the stomach itself, in excess.
Posted by: Evil Jonny | March 16, 2006 03:35 PM