This Rose Chai Recipe Will Bust Nerves With Every Sip

As much as we might love the festivities and enchantment of a new year, it's wise to have a relaxing ritual or two at the ready for those moments when it all becomes a little much.

This caffeine-free herbal chai is decadent and brimming with potent herbs that nourish, warm, and calm our overly stressed bodies.

Ashwagandha has long-standing use in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic and adaptogen, helping increase the body's resilience to stress. Although more contemporary research is needed to confirm those traditional uses, a 2020 review of clinical and preclinical studies found evidence that ashwagandha is effective for moderating the effects1 of stress and anxiousness and improving sleep—hence why the adaptogen can be found in many stress-reducing blends and herbal supplements.

Cardamom, a carminative2 with a distinctive flavor, increases oxygen and blood flow to the digestive tract3 and helps the body glean more nutrients from the food we eat. Carminatives are especially needed and appreciated after holiday festivities!

Rose petals impart a calming effect that helps us respond rather than react. They're uplifting and restorative. Research on rose's volatile oils has suggested that the flower's scent promotes relaxation and decreases anxiety4, although more research is needed to confirm those initial findings.

Licorice root is a sweet-tasting herb that may support adrenal function5 and has shown promise in helping to restore the body6 in times of fatigue. As a bonus, licorice's demulcent properties can help soothe winter's sore throats.