A Soothing Digestive Tea
Cumin, coriander, and fennel tea, also known as CCF Tea, is a beautiful trio of herbs boiled and steeped into a delightful digestive addition to any Spring day. It is known in Ayurvedic Medicine as a simple approach to digestive disorders, daily detoxification, and burning up excess mucus and moisture of Spring. It’s medicine.
Growing up with Sicilian roots, oregano and basil were common herbs in our kitchen. It wasn’t until college when I was introduced to other worldly approaches to eating and preparing food. Having college roommates from China, Mexico, and Yemen opened my palate to other approaches to fueling my body, from kimchi to making homemade yogurt.
Before studying Ayurveda, I never thought of my spice cabinet as my medicine cabinet. I had a slow and sluggish digestion and for years was riddled with uncomfortable gas and bloating. I spent all kinds of money ever month, purchasing “digestive enzymes.” So when cumin, coriander, and fennel tea was introduced to me, it was a no-brainer. This tea was an easy and inexpensive approach to the kind of healing I needed. I went straight to my spice cabinet, turned on the tea kettle, and voila: a soothing digestive tea. This was just what my system needed to heal.
The theory in Ayurveda isn’t “you are what you eat;” it’s “you are what you digest.” You want your digestion on point to absorb all the high-quality foods you are ingesting instead of simply moving them through and taxing your system.
Let me introduce you to this super herbal trio:
Cumin is a known for being full of potent antioxidants and iron, and it stimulates the digestive enzymes to help with strong digestion.
Coriander is known to relieve gas, indigestion, and spasms while reducing inflammation. It has a nutty flavor. It’s also known to reduce joint swelling connected to rheumatoid arthritis.
Fennel is a common remedy for colic, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive issues. It supports the body’s natural ability to burn fat and reduce gas and indigestion. You’ll see fennel served after a meal at traditional Indian restaurants to help with the digestion of your food.
Cumin Coriander Tea Benefits:
- Reduces Cravings
- Revs Up Your Metabolism
- Increases Your Digestive Fire
- Increases Absorption of Nutrients
- Reduces Water Retention
- Great for Breastfeeding Mothers
How to Make CCF Tea:
Add 5 cups of water to a pot on the stove.
When it starts to heat up, add the following:
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon coriander
½ teaspoon fennel
Boil for 5-10 minutes, then strain immediately into a thermos.
Drink throughout the day.
Don’t have that much time?
Mix equal parts cumin, coriander, and fennel into a jar.
Put 1 teaspoon of the spice mix in a mug, and add boiling water.
Steep for 5 minutes, strain, and drink 30 minutes before every meal.
This is a tea mixture I share with everyone. It’s a great gift and an easy and helpful travel companion if you find yourself eating later than normal or imbibing in foods you don’t normally eat. It helps strengthen your digestive fire, which will increase your energy and the light in your eyes. Share this link with a friend, and Enjoy!
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Rachel Peters is a yoga teacher, yoga health coach, lifestyle and habits expert, easeful living advocate, and lover of wild places. She leads others towards Embodying Ease through a yearlong wellness & lifestyle journey to dissolve perfectionism, embody daily habits that promote mental clarity, overall ease, and deeper connection to life on this wild ride of modern living. Learn MORE today!