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Tasty Antioxidant Brews and Teas

As previously discussed, it is believed that excess free radicals, oxidative stress, and insufficient antioxidant levels are bad for the nervous system (and really the entire body) and play a role in neurological disorders and long-COVID symptoms.  One of the ways I try to get enough antioxidants is to make a variety of easy to brew herbal teas or tisanes.  

Useful Antioxidant Ingredients

As someone who treasures variety, I keep the following items on hand to work with, mixing and matching them as the mood suits me:

  • Dried Ginger Pieces
    • Sweet and spicy, believed help with nausea, inflammation and boost serotonin and dopamine levels
  • Dried Rose Hips
    • Slightly tart, loaded in antioxidants, may reduce inflammation, boost immune system, fight type 2 diabetes, and potentially even fight sagging of skin
  • Wild Blueberry Powder
    • Very high in antioxidants, and may help regulate blood sugar, boost immunity, support eye health, reduce gastrointestinal symptoms and possibly ease UTI symptoms.
  • Matcha powder
    • Pleasantly bitter brain boosting tea (made from powdered green tea leaves) loaded with antioxidants along with some caffeine balanced with l-theanine, a calming amino acid that fights stress
  • Pineapple powder
    • Sweet-tart flavor with healthy antioxidants and bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion and fights inflammation.
  • Rooibos Tea
    • Slightly-sweet caramel/vanilla flavored herbal tea that makes it easy to skip sugar while also delivering antioxidants; naturally caffeine free
  • Ground Fennel Seeds
    • Mild licorice taste, full of antioxidants and believed to fight nausea and inflammation
  • Local Raw Honey
  • Stainless Steel Tea Infusers
    • An easy way to mix and steep ingredients
  • Electric Kettle with Temperature Control

Ginger Matcha Latte

 This warm flavorful pick-me-up improves my focus and energy levels while also soothing and calming.  It is a less jittery boost than coffee and does not seem to cause the post-coffee crash.
  • Half teaspoon or generous pinch of dried ginger pieces
  • Quarter teaspoon or small pinch of matcha powder
  • Half a dozen or small pinch of dried rosehips
  • 5 ounces of near boiling water
  • Milk and honey to taste
Place matcha powder directly into cup.  Add ginger and rosehips to tea infuser and place in cup on top of the matcha.  Add hot water and steep for 5 minutes.  After steeping remove infuser from cup and stir.  If you have a matcha whisk, tiny wire whisk or battery milk frother, they work great, but a small spoon will do in a pinch.  If you are unaccustomed to the pleasantly bitter rich taste of matcha, you may care to add a tiny bit of milk and honey.  Bonus points for “stretched” milk steamed using an espresso machine steam wand, or for heating the milk in the microwave and then whisking to make rich warm foam.  

Fun Variations:

  • add a pinch of fennel powder for added stomach soothing and antioxidants
  • add a pinch of Indian tea spice for a more aromatic and exotic flavor
  • add some chai or Earl Grey tea to alter the flavor or to completely mask the matcha if you are not a big matcha fan

Chilled Berry Refresher:

This caffeine-free antioxidant-rich iced drink tastes like a berry-flavored iced tea and is great for hot afternoons.
  • 1 tablespoon of dried ginger pieces (less if using fresh ginger or finely ground powder)
  • 1 heaping teaspoon or generous pinch of wild blueberry powder (less if using powdered extract made from dehydrated juice rather than powdered berries)
  • Half teaspoon of dried rosehips
  • Half teaspoon of rooibos tea (and/or black tea if you want some caffeine)
  • ~20 ounces of near boiling water
  • honey to taste
Add dry ingredients to infuser in a large mug, and cover in hot water for ~10 minutes.  Feel free to stir or shake the infuser a few times to ensure good circulation and extraction.  After steeping, remove infuser and use a spoon to taste the brew.  Since it is warm and concentrated, it will taste harsher than it will after you ice it.  Stir in a small amount of honey to taste, but be careful not to overdo it – the goal should be slightly tart at this stage.  Carefully pour it into two sturdy glasses completely filled with ice (large cubes are best).  Heavy pint glasses or beer mugs are great.  Be sure to pour it directly onto ice away from the edges of the glass so as not to overheat and crack the glass.  The hot liquid will melt much of the ice, diluting the tart beverage and the cold will mellow the flavor into something quite pleasant.

Fun Variations:

  • swap out some or all of the blueberry powder for pineapple powder
  • add a dash of cardamom for a hint of exotic spice and an anti-inflammatory anti-hypertensive kick
  • swap out some or all of the rooibos for another tea – Cream Earl Gray is a great choice if you would like a little caffeine
© 2024 All rights reserved. This blog reflects the personal experience and opinions of a long COVID and CFS survivor and is not qualified medical advice. Consult a doctor for your situation.

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