Some days you just want to wrap up in a warm blanket, with a hottie and a pack of Tim Tams, we know those days. And yes we have them too... but here's a good alternative to add a little sweetness and help your hormones settle right down.

The spices and herbs in this chai-like tea have a variety of therapeutic properties, they are warming and soothing for the female body, and assist during times of premenstrual tension (PMT) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This tea has a whole host of other benefits also, but more on that later...

INGREDIENTS

1/2 tsp. fennel seeds or 1/4 tsp. ground fennel seeds

1/2 quill of cinnamon or 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

4 cardamom pods (taken out of their skins) or 1/3 tsp. ground cardamom

1 clove or a small pinch of ground cloves

1 thumb size piece of fresh ginger 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 whole pepper corn or 1/8 tsp. ground fresh pepper

250 ml. almond milk or 5 soaked almonds with 250ml water

Optional for a little sweetness: Blend with 1 Mejdool date, or 1/2 tsp. pure maple syrup or 1/2 tsp. raw honey

METHOD

Add all ingredients into a high-powdered blender if using whole spices, and almonds. If using ground spices blend with almond milk and serve Hot or cold. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

BENEFITS

Fennel is added for its benefits including: calming the body, assisting with estrogen detoxification, plus it's a soothing nature aids the digestive system. It can also help when there is bloating and flatulence.

Ginger is a calming, and a warming herb that is particularly beneficial for spasmodic pain such as period pain, it is a digestive stimulant and reduces inflammation.

Cinnamon aids digestion, and helps to balance blood sugars.

Cardamom is frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine to soothe anxiety, or nervous tension.

Cloves and Pepper both assist with reducing inflammation too

Using whole almonds in this recipe adds more fibre which is also essential for hormone detoxification.

Recipe by Selina Singh