Christmas DIY #2
Homemade Spiced Chai Honey: A wonderful warming spoonful to add some coziness to your winter.
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Winter vibes, Christmas just around the corner… to me, Chané, that means “cozy-time”! While our winters in South Africa take place from June through August (depending on where you live, in the Western Cape spring only comes around November, lol) we do have some winter staples like, Hot chocolate, hearty stews, soups, etc. But we don’t have the US culture of themed drinks and season specific recipes.
Growing up, watching a lot of Hollywood movies set in the US all covered in snow, I had always wanted to experience a Snow White Christmas. This being my second Christmas in the US, I’m super excited to experience more snow. I have also been playing around with all the wonderful spiced drinks and treats that make this season so memorable.
Ryan and I are trying our best to use and consume organic as far as possible and we love learning about natural remedies. I have learned a lot about foraging herbs and edibles in our area, yet I have much more to learn. On this journey to live a more natural life, the way God intended it, I have come across some amazing influencers on Instagram. Certified Naturopaths are some of my favourites to follow for recipes and tips on foraging in the US.
I just recently came across this amazing recipe for Chai Spiced Honey on jkb.journal’s instagram. She explains that when you mix herbs or spices into honey, it is called an electuary. I just love that there are so many amazing influencers out there sharing their knowledge with the world. I look forward to build my own store of natural health knowledge as I journey along.
I love this so much, I made one for our own pantry too! So let’s get into the ingredients:
Raw unfiltered local Honey - Store bought honey comes with a whole slue of concerns, not just for its negative impact on nature but also our bodies. We have been keeping bees for little over a year now and the difference is astronomical. We have, in the past, always supported our local beekeepers for a number of reasons:
Raw local honey can reduce seasonal allergy symptoms by exposing you to trace local pollens that build immunity.
It retains far higher levels of antioxidants, enzymes, and beneficial compounds destroyed by processing.
Its natural antibacterial agents (hydrogen peroxide, propolis, defensin-1) make it effective for wound healing and fighting resistant bacteria.
Buying local raw honey directly supports small beekeepers and healthier, more sustainable bee populations.
It provides prebiotic oligosaccharides and more trace vitamins, minerals, and amino acids than processed honey.
Depending on the different translations, the words “honey” or “honeycomb” are mentioned in the Bible approximately 55-61 times. One of my favourite mentions are found in the book of Proverbs.
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body”
Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
Cloves - Here are 5 evidence-based benefits of consuming ground cloves (in small culinary amounts):
Ground cloves are one of the most potent antioxidant spices, with eugenol neutralizing free radicals more effectively than most fruits.
Their high eugenol content powerfully kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses, acting as a natural antimicrobial.
Cloves provide fast, proven relief for toothaches and gum inflammation due to eugenol’s anesthetic and antiseptic effects.
They stimulate digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and help protect against stomach ulcers.
Regular small doses improve blood-sugar control and insulin sensitivity, benefiting people with diabetes or prediabetes.
Ginger - As Jess Bergeron said in her Instagram post, “What can’t this plant do?” Here are 5 benefits of consuming ground Ginger:
Ground ginger dramatically reduces nausea and vomiting, including morning sickness, motion sickness, and chemotherapy-induced nausea (superior to many drugs in clinical trials).
It powerfully relieves digestive issues like bloating, gas, indigestion, and IBS symptoms by speeding gastric emptying and relaxing the gut.
Ginger’s gingerol and shogaol compounds deliver strong anti-inflammatory effects comparable to ibuprofen for arthritis, muscle pain, and menstrual cramps.
Daily consumption significantly lowers blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces HbA1c in type-2 diabetes (shown in multiple human studies).
It enhances immune defense and fights respiratory infections by boosting antiviral activity and reducing inflammation in the airways.
Cinnamon - This is probably my all-time favourite spice! I just love it so much, I sprinkle it over muesli, my morning coffee, tea with frothy milk, and so much more. Here are 5 benefits of consuming cinnamon:
Cinnamon (especially Ceylon or high-quality Cassia) dramatically lowers fasting blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces HbA1c in type-2 diabetes, often rivaling metformin in clinical studies.
Its cinnamaldehyde and polyphenols deliver potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that protect against heart disease and neurodegenerative conditions.
Regular intake significantly reduces total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides while raising HDL (good cholesterol) in multiple human trials.
Cinnamon exhibits strong antimicrobial action against bacteria, fungi (including Candida), and viruses, and historically lengthens shelf life of food.
It enhances brain function, improves memory, protects neurons, and slows progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s markers in animal and early human research.
Cardamom - Last but not least… this one is a wonderful, aromatic spice packed full of heath benefits! Here are 5 benefits of consuming ground Cardamom:
Ground cardamom significantly lowers blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) in people with hypertension, with human trials showing effects comparable to some medications.
It acts as a powerful digestive aid, rapidly reducing bloating, gas, indigestion, and IBS symptoms by relaxing the GI tract and stimulating enzymes.
Cardamom’s cineole and other compounds deliver strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection that improves liver function and reduces oxidative stress.
Regular consumption inhibits oral bacteria, freshens breath naturally, and helps prevent cavities and gum disease (traditional use backed by clinical studies).
It enhances insulin sensitivity, lowers fasting blood sugar, and reduces markers of metabolic syndrome in prediabetes and type-2 diabetes trials.
I am not a doctor, everyone is created uniquely and reacts differently to various diets and supplements. Please do your own research.
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense… and make an insense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy’”
Exodus 30:34-35 (ESV)
This verse, though about intense, is so beautiful. God gave Moses the exact recipe to make holy and pure incense to use in prayer and worship to Him. Reserving the most precious spices to carry their prayers to heaven, as it was in the Old Testament. I’m so enamoured by our beautiful YahWeh.
You’re probably thinking “I’ve got my chai spiced honey made, now what? Well, here’s how to use it:
Mix a spoonful into any warm beverage, my favourite is Rooibos tea . This combination of spices and honey aid in digestion, and Jes recommends you take it before bedtime to help support your body in rest.
You could also just take a spoonful straight out of the jar, it’s delicious and warming on a cold winters day. Curbs the winter snacking too.
Try a drizzle over your favourite or homemade granola, it’s an absolute game changer!
I’d love to hear if you gave this recipe a try, I’m gifting this to a special someone in our family who loves Chai lattes.
Chané & Ryan
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