Tea brewed with cloves and cinnamon is a simple, warming drink that tastes like a mug of spiced wine without the alcohol — perfect for cold winter evenings or when you feel a cold coming on. Both spices have natural immune-boosting properties, soothe digestion and warm you from the inside out. For 500 ml of water I use 2 teaspoons of loose black tea, 3-4 whole cloves and 1 cinnamon stick (or half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon), then steep everything together for 5-7 minutes, strain and serve with lemon and honey to taste. I'll also share warming variations with milk, ginger and orange peel.

Fermenting Ivan chai (fireweed) is a remarkable and at the same time simple home process that significantly improves the flavor, aroma and beneficial properties of this wonderful Russian drink. It's exactly during the work of natural enzymes inside the leaves that the rich aroma, pleasant honeyed note and bright amber color develop, and the beneficial compounds become more bioavailable. Sort fresh-picked fireweed leaves and lightly wilt in the air for 4-6 hours until they lose their crispness. Then crush them in your hands or run them through a meat grinder to break down the cells. Place in an enamel or glass container, cover with a damp cloth and leave in a warm spot (24-26°C / 75-79°F) for 6-12 hours until a characteristic floral-fruit aroma appears. Dry in the oven at 50-60°C (120-140°F) for about an hour. Full conditions inside.

Antiviral and anti-aging tea with turmeric, ginger, lime and honey is a remarkably wholesome, warming and at the same time very tasty homemade drink especially valued during cold-and-flu season and for general immunity support. This tea is a real treasure chest of vitamins and beneficial compounds: turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties thanks to curcumin, ginger warms and helps at the first signs of a cold, lime delivers a powerful dose of vitamin C, and honey works as a natural antiseptic. On top of that, this sunny golden drink looks very appealing. Peel fresh ginger and slice thin, slice lime into wedges with the zest. Place in a teapot or thermos, add a teaspoon of ground turmeric and a little black pepper (for better curcumin absorption). Pour over hot water and steep for 10-15 minutes. When the tea cools to warm, add honey. Proportions for 1 liter inside.

Pomegranate tea is a good alternative to immune stimulants in winter. This drink can strengthen the immune system, protect the body from viral infections, and increase hemoglobin levels.