We love diving into herbal remedies that blend history with everyday wellness, and the Original Essiac Tea Recipe is a true gem. This simple blend draws from ancient Native American traditions and gained fame through Canadian nurse Rene Caisse in the 1920s offering a gentle way to support health.
In our kitchen we’ve simplified this classic formula so you can brew it at home. It’s packed with burdock root slippery elm and other natural ingredients that make it a go-to for tea lovers seeking a restorative sip. Join us as we explore its origins and ease of preparation.
Ingredients
As we delve deeper into the Original Essiac Tea Recipe, we focus on the key herbs that make this traditional remedy simple yet effective. These ingredients, rooted in Native American traditions, form the foundation for brewing a batch at home. We recommend sourcing high-quality, organic herbs to preserve the tea’s historical health benefits.
Below, we’ve listed the ingredients in the order they are typically prepared and combined. Each one plays a vital role in the recipe’s potency.
- Burdock Root: 6½ cups, cut or sliced (we suggest using dried burdock root for optimal extraction of its earthy, detoxifying properties)
- Sheep Sorrel Herb: 1 pound, powdered (this herb provides a tangy, lemony flavor and is the main antioxidant-rich component in the Original Essiac Tea Recipe)
- Slippery Elm Inner Bark: ¼ pound, powdered (known for its soothing, mucilaginous texture, slippery elm helps create a smooth brew)
- Turkish Rhubarb Root: 1 ounce, powdered (use this in moderation for its bitter taste and laxative effects, ensuring balance in the mixture)
Required Tools and Equipment
To prepare our Original Essiac Tea effectively and safely, we need a few essential tools and equipment. These items ensure that we handle the herbs properly, achieve the right brewing temperature, and store the tea for optimal freshness. Building on our ingredient selection from the previous section, let’s outline what you’ll need for the brewing process.
Essential Tools List
We recommend gathering these tools before starting, as they directly support the preparation steps involving our key herbs like burdock root and sheep sorrel:
- Large stainless steel pot: A 2-gallon pot works best for boiling the herbs, allowing ample space to prevent overflow and ensure even heating.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Use precise dry measuring cups for herbs and a set of spoons for accurate portions, helping us maintain the recipe’s balance.
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth: Essential for filtering out herb particles after brewing, which gives our tea a smooth texture without any gritty residue.
- Glass storage jars: Choose airtight, amber glass jars with at least 1-quart capacity to store the brewed tea, preserving its antioxidant properties and extending shelf life.
- Long-handled wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the mixture during boiling, as it won’t react with the herbs and helps distribute heat evenly.
- Funnel: A standard kitchen funnel aids in transferring the strained tea into jars, minimizing spills and waste.
By using these tools, we can brew a potent and authentic Essiac Tea that honors its traditional roots. Always opt for food-grade materials to avoid any contamination that could affect the tea’s health benefits.
Instructions
Now that we have gathered our high-quality herbs and essential tools, we guide you through the straightforward steps to brew the Original Essiac Tea, ensuring a potent remedy that honors its traditional roots.
Prepare the Herbs
Before brewing, we start by measuring and combining the herbs to create a balanced mixture. Begin with 6½ cups of dried burdock root, chopping it into small pieces for even extraction and detoxification benefits. Next, add 1 pound of powdered sheep sorrel herb, which provides a tangy flavor and rich antioxidants—stir gently to distribute its fine texture. Follow with ¼ pound of powdered slippery elm inner bark, known for its smooth, soothing properties that enhance the tea’s consistency. Finally, incorporate 1 ounce of powdered Turkish rhubarb root, valued for its bitter taste and gentle laxative effects. We mix all these herbs thoroughly in a clean bowl using our long-handled wooden spoon, aiming for a uniform blend that maximizes the tea’s historical health-supporting potency.
Boil the Mixture
With the herbs prepared, we transfer the entire blend into our large stainless steel pot and add 16 cups of filtered water to cover the mixture completely. Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally with the wooden spoon to prevent clumping and release the herbs’ earthy aromas. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the mixture to develop a deep, amber hue and a robust, herbal scent that signals the extraction of beneficial compounds.
Steep the Tea
After boiling, we remove the pot from the heat and cover it with a lid to steep the mixture, letting the flavors infuse fully. Allow the tea to steep for at least 12 hours or overnight in a cool, dark place, during which time the liquid deepens in color to a rich mahogany and develops a complex, earthy fragrance with subtle tanginess from the sheep sorrel. This patient steeping process ensures that we capture the full essence of the herbs, enhancing the tea’s traditional detoxifying and antioxidant properties for an authentic Essiac experience.
Strain and Store
To finish, we carefully strain the steeped mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into clean glass storage jars, separating the liquid from the spent herbs to yield a clear, potent brew. Press lightly on the herbs to extract any remaining liquid, then discard the solids and seal the jars tightly with lids. We store the tea in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, where it maintains its fresh, invigorating taste and health benefits—always use a funnel for mess-free pouring and shake gently before serving to preserve the tea’s original vitality.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Preparing Original Essiac Tea in advance allows us to maintain its potent health benefits while simplifying our daily routine. By focusing on the herb mixture and brewed tea, we can ensure freshness and convenience without compromising quality.
Preparing the Herb Mixture Ahead
We recommend mixing the herbs in advance to save time during brewing. Follow these steps for optimal results:
- Measure and combine the herbs: Start by accurately measuring the dried ingredients as outlined in our ingredients section. For instance, combine 6½ cups of dried burdock root, 1 pound of powdered sheep sorrel herb, ¼ pound of powdered slippery elm inner bark, and 1 ounce of powdered Turkish rhubarb root in a clean, dry glass container.
- Store the mixture properly: Transfer the blended herbs to an airtight glass jar. Label the jar with the date and store it in a cool, dark place like a pantry. This mixture stays fresh for up to 6 months if kept away from moisture and light, preserving the herbs’ antioxidant properties and flavors.
Brewing and Storing the Tea Ahead
Once the herb mixture is ready, we can brew a batch of Essiac Tea and store it for later use. This approach ensures we have a ready supply of the tea’s soothing, earthy brew on hand.
- Brew the tea as per instructions: After preparing the mixture, boil it with filtered water, simmer, and steep for at least 12 hours as detailed in the brewing section. Strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer to remove any solids.
- Cool and store immediately: Let the strained tea cool to room temperature, then pour it into sterilized glass jars using a funnel. Fill the jars to the brim to minimize air exposure, which helps prevent oxidation.
| Storage Method | Duration | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerated (in glass jars) | Up to 2 weeks | Keep jars sealed and shake gently before use to redistribute beneficial compounds. |
| Frozen (in ice cube trays) | Up to 6 months | Freeze in portions for easy thawing, maintaining the tea’s bitter and tangy notes intact. |
By following these make-ahead strategies, we empower ourselves to enjoy Original Essiac Tea‘s rich, herbaceous essence whenever needed, ensuring each cup delivers its traditional health-supporting effects.
Conclusion
We’re thrilled you’ve joined us in rediscovering the Original Essiac Tea’s timeless appeal. By brewing this remedy at home, you’ll tap into its rich heritage and potential health perks with ease.
It’s our hope that this guide empowers you to make it a staple in your routine, fostering a deeper connection to natural wellness. Let’s raise a cup to tradition and your well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Original Essiac Tea Recipe?
The Original Essiac Tea Recipe is a traditional herbal remedy rooted in Native American traditions and popularized by Canadian nurse Rene Caisse in the 1920s. It uses simple, natural ingredients like burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm, and Turkish rhubarb root to support health. This easy-to-make tea is brewed at home for its potential detoxifying and antioxidant benefits, making it accessible for everyday use.
What are the key ingredients in Essiac Tea?
The main ingredients include 6½ cups of dried burdock root for detoxification, 1 pound of powdered sheep sorrel for antioxidants, ¼ pound of powdered slippery elm inner bark for smoothness, and 1 ounce of powdered Turkish rhubarb root for laxative effects. Use high-quality, organic herbs to preserve the tea’s traditional health benefits and authentic flavor.
How do I prepare the herbs for Essiac Tea?
Start by measuring and combining the dried herbs: burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm, and Turkish rhubarb root. Mix them thoroughly in a clean bowl, then store the blend in an airtight glass jar for up to six months. This prep ensures a balanced mixture ready for brewing whenever needed.
What tools are needed to brew Essiac Tea?
You’ll need a large stainless steel pot for boiling, measuring cups and spoons for accuracy, a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for straining, glass storage jars for freshness, a long-handled wooden spoon for stirring, and a funnel for pouring. These food-grade tools help brew and store the tea safely and effectively.
How do you brew Original Essiac Tea?
Combine the herb mixture with filtered water in a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for at least 12 hours. Strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer, then store in glass jars. This process extracts the full flavors and benefits for a potent brew.
How should I store Essiac Tea?
Store brewed Essiac Tea in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze it in ice cube trays for up to six months. Always use clean, food-grade containers to preserve the tea’s taste and health-supporting properties.
Can I make Essiac Tea ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the herb mixture in advance and store it in an airtight glass jar for up to six months. Brew the tea as needed, then refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze for six months. This makes it convenient to enjoy the tea’s benefits anytime without daily prep.