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Herbs & Cultures

Haudenosaunee medicine →

Spicebush tea

A spicy tea of spicebush twigs.

Traditional use

Time
20 minutes
Makes
2 cups
Spicebush

Among the Haudenosaunee a tea of spicebush twigs is an everyday drink. It is also drunk for colds. The twigs can be picked all year and, when broken, smell fresh and spicy, a little like citrus.

Ingredients

  • A handful of leafless spicebush twigs, broken into pieces
  • 600 ml water
  • To taste: maple syrup

Step by step

  1. Bring the water and the twigs to the boil.
  2. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until the tea is pale yellow and fragrant.
  3. Strain and sweeten to taste.

Tips

  • Only pick from a shrub you know for sure, and take just a few twigs per shrub.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 950

    Spicebush

    Lindera benzoin

    A shrub of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and twigs and red berries.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.