Spiced Maca Cacao Libido Vitality Tea
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Basic Version
- 1 Tbsp roasted dandelion root
- 1 Tbsp (unroasted/raw) dandelion root
- 1 Tbsp roasted cacao nibs (or 1 to 2 teaspoons powdered cacao)
- 1 tsp maca powder (preferably gelatinized)
- 8 cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 tsp dry ginger cut/sifted root (chips) (or 1 to 2 tsp grated fresh, or 1⁄2 tsp dry powder)
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Optional Additions
- 1⁄4 tsp carob powder (enhances the sweet chocolatey flavor)
- 1⁄2 tsp beet powder (color, sweetness, libido support)
- 1 Tbsp freeze dried blueberries, lightly crushed (color, tang, sweetness, vascular health)
- 1 pinch cayenne (circulatory and sensory zing)
- 1⁄2 tsp ashwagandha* root or powder (adaptogen, energy, libido in all genders, sperm health)
- Combine dry ingredients in a 16-ounce container. Cover with just-boiled water.
- Steep for at least 1 hour. It’s flexible enough to steep for less or more time. (Alternately, it could be simmered for 15 to 20 minutes.)
- Strain, squeezing out all the mucilaginous and nutritious goodness, and sip hot or cold, plain or with added sweetener and creamer. Almond milk with maple syrup is quite nice.
- If you do not have access to roasted (or unroasted) dandelion root, simply double the quantity of the other. Roasted chicory would offer similar flavors.
- If you’re sensitive to caffeine, leave out the cacao.
- If you’re working with raw maca powder and find this blend a little gassy, consider simmering the tea for 15 to 20 minutes instead of steeping it.
- While ashwagandha is medicinally complementary in this blend, I don’t care for its flavor and prefer the recipe without it. Also note that many people will enjoy ashwagandha’s medicine, but it may be overstimulating to energy and the thyroid for some people.
Maria Noël Groves, RH (AHG)
Maria Noël Groves, RH (AHG), is the best-selling, award-winning author of Herbal Gut Health, Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self Care, Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies, and Herbal Remedies for Sleep.
Maria’s a registered professional herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and a graduate of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine and Rosemary Gladstar’s Sage Mountain. Learn more about Maria and herbs at Wintergreen Botanicals. Find her remedy-making tips at wintergreenbotanicals.com/kitchenapothecary101
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