An ode to the life-giving force of the sun, named after the Greek sun god, Helios, this thick bottom chai was developed to connect you with sun energy: warming, uplifting, inspiring, satisfying. Perfect for the solstice, or any day when you want to channel more sun energy into your life, Thick Bottom Helios Chai lets you steep in all of that goodness with Folk Tea’s classic chai base of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cacao - yes, cacao - plus Helios’ unique orange, turmeric, ancho recipe that lifts and transforms. Try it with a little milk and honey and you have the best chai you’ve ever sipped. 
 
Use 2-3 tsps of chai per 8 ounces of ½ mylk, ½ water at 212°F
Stir vigorously with a tsp of honey
Strain if desired*
                                                           *Or nibble that thick chai bottom!
 
Want to know more about the ingredients? Here’s how some of them are traditionally used around the world:
 
The ingredients in Helios Chai have been traditionally used to warm, uplift and stimulate. The lush quality of Helios Chai is rooted in creamy cacao - it’s sumptuously delicious but also boasts high levels of antioxidants which can enhance energy levels and be anti-inflammatory. Read more about the role of antioxidants in cacao in this Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity journal! Cacao can also dilate blood vessels which brings us to a more traditional use of cacao: that of an aphrodisiac. It’s not the only blood stimulator & aphrodisiac in the blend, but we’ll get to those in a minute. Rooibos - a gently sweet and fruity flavor layer -  is another important part of the base of this tea. Dr. Humaira Quraishi explains some recent research on rooibos that reports it contains 50% more antioxidants than green tea, and has cardiovascular and digestive properties. In fact, a lot of the plants in this blend lend themselves to a happier digestion, improved circulation and increase in antioxidant levels. Another base flavor - offering hints of sweet earthiness and that golden sun color - is one that is perhaps most popular in western herbal spheres for its antiinflammatory qualities: turmeric. Turmeric has some incredible prospects as far as inflammation reduction goes, but there’s also promising research on its antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antibiotic, astringent, circulatory stimulant, choleretic, and hepatoprotection action. However, you may have heard that the main issue for turmeric has been making the active part of the plant bioavailable when we drink it. This tea offers some solutions, which include pairing it with black pepper and fat (in your choice of milk) to increase the bioavailability. Read more about that in this great article on the bioavailability of turmeric! Like I said, Black Pepper increases the bioavailability of the curcumin (active constituent in turmeric), but it also peps up the spice from the ginger in this blend, and is mentioned by The Naturopathic Herbalist, (an incredible resource for the chemistry of herbalism), Dr. Marciano, for its digestive aiding qualities. Let’s keep talking spice. As we move up from the base flavors of our tea and into the rich body we find spicy ginger - another major digestive and circulatory aid. It’s also used for pain and inflammation alleviation, as well as cramping. The spice in this chai is perhaps the most complex of Folk Tea’s Thick Bottom Chai’s because not only does it have black pepper and ginger, but it also brings in the sultry, incredibly fruity, almost smokey, round ancho chili pepper. It’s an “ancho” when it’s dried and a poblano when it’s fresh - but the pepper has a completely different flavor when dried. It brings this full, sunny round flavor to the blend. It’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Next is another circulatory aid, and a central flavor component to the blend: the mighty cinnamon. The Naturopathic Herbalist, describes cinnamon as being chiefly employed for its smooth muscles relaxing effects which act systemically and are thus useful in the treatment of hypertension, and dysmenorrhea. I promised you another traditional aphrodisiac, and here it is: cardamom. It’s also used to improve digestion, cardiovascular health, and to stimulate blood circulation. It is known to be gently uplifting, warming and antidepressant. Now we’re in the “uplifters” category, and Helios chai has plenty to go around. Orange was chosen for this blend both for its juicy flavor that pairs marvelously with the cacao and ancho chili, and its traditional use  as an antidepressant and reliever of stress, anxiety and hypertension. This particular orange hails from the Mediterranean - so as you sip, feel that mediterranean sun leach into your pulse. Other traditional uses for orange have addressed ailments like constipation, cramps, colic, diarrhea, bronchitis, tuberculosis, cough, cold, obesity, and menstrual disorder. Buoying the orange flavor in a really gorgeous citrusy way is coriander. It also comes the Mediterranean and its traditionally uses include that of an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic. Perhaps an unlikely addition to a chai, but an obvious pairing to a flavor sequence centered around the Greek sun god is oregano. This specific oregano actually comes from Greece and is probably most famous in the herbalism realm for being antimicrobial and antiviral, but also aids digestion by stimulating bile. Let’s step away from the Mediterranean for moment. No Folk Tea chai would be complete without the key chai balance flavors of nutmeg and clove. For the most part, nutmeg acts as yet another circulatory stimulant in the blend, but offers balance to the other chai flavors. It’s native to Indonesia and boasts a fascinating trade history with the west - as many spices do. Not all chai blends in the world include clove, but Folk Tea blends wouldn’t dare to leave the powerful clove out. Clove is best known for its traditional use as an antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal.. You get the idea. It also has a curious numbing effect in high quantities. Something about that tiny tingle works with the heat to bring the chai spice together. 


 
Everything you put in your body has an effect on you. Folk Tea suggests that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal products, particularly if you take other medications, or if you are nursing, pregnant, or expecting to become pregnant.  
 
This information is for education purposes, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration