This one is beyond wild. If you are ill and feeling left out from the fun alcohol drinks, try this wild twist. I accidentally discovered this one while trying to trick myself with a fun delight. It worked, this drink is a wow!! And it comes from this beautiful plant, Cistus incanus (or “Pink Rockrose”).
Don’t feel like you are missing out. This drink will give you the taste of a cocktail without the set-back during your chronic illness that alcohol can bring. It looks like a cocktail so you do not have to deal with the comments about why you are not drinking.
While you are having party fun, you are drinking your nightly dose of tonic for your illness.
Cistus Icanus Tea
Cistus Tea and tincture is widely used for the treatment of chronic illness. It is known for its biofilm busting activity.
Cistus Incanus is one of the richest sources of polyphenols-phenolic compounds belonging to the group of plant substances with antioxidant activity supporting the human immune system. Cistus Incanus offers a rich source of polyphenols, proanthocyandidins, bioflavonoids, catechins, gallic acid, rutin and other beneficial bioactive compounds.
“Cistus is more potent than any other agent known for biofilms. Crosses the blood-brain barrier and is 100% absorbed in the gut. It is antiviral. Can rebrew the tea 4 times. Whitens the teeth (also a biofilm which causes yellow teeth), body fluid smells and odors reduce.” ~ Dr. Klinghardt
Great news – If you are going to an outdoor party, YOU will become a bug repellent by drinking Cistus Tea. Ticks are repulsed by this tea and those who drink it.
Tea To Taste
I randomly tried this drink with two odd tea bags added to the cistus tea.
- Turmeric and Ginger tea bag
- Peppermint tea bag
I know, it makes almost no sense but wow is it good.
Stevia
Stevia is known for its sweet leaves, making it a healthy sugar alternative that has an incredible sweet taste.
A study shows that whole leaf stevia has effects on killing Lyme bacteria in three forms—spirochetes, persisters and biofilm.
Yet another study indicates that using too much stevia may inhibit the growth of Lactobacillus. These are “friendly” bacteria that normally live in our digestive, urinary, and genital systems without causing disease.
Use stevia appropriately. Nutramedix suggests, as an antimicrobial, use 30 drops twice daily which is plenty to make this drink.
Citrus Juice
Fresh lemon, lime or orange juice provides not only nutrients but helps with lymph drainage. Lemon has the greatest benefit, then lime and then comes grapefruit and orange. Lime is my favorite! A “twist” of the peel provide the greatest lymph benefits and make your drink look even more inviting.
Juicing only one of the citrus fruits at a time will provide enough of a punch to put this drink over the edge in taste, making it taste like an alcoholic drink while avoiding the toxins that come with alcohol during illness.
How I Made This Biofilm Buster Party Drink
- Heat distilled water – 32 ounces
- Place 3-4 teaspoons loose Cistus Tea into filter (BioPure is my favorite brand)
- Place the extra tea bags in the filter – I used 1 Turmeric/Ginger and 1 Peppermint
- Pour not-quite-boiling hot water over all of the tea (into a 1 quart = 32 oz mason jar with filter)
- Let it steep 8-10 minutes WITH LID ON to catch the essential oils in the tea
- Remove filter with tea bags and loose tea, cover and refrigerate
- OPTIONAL – Add Cistus tincture to prepared tea
- Save and reuse the loose cistus tea – the polyphenols only completely come out when brewed for 2-3 more times
To make the wow part, add the following:
- In a larger jug or bowl, pour the cold tea
- Add the juice of 4 citrus of the same kind (4 limes OR 4 lemons, etc)
- Add liquid stevia tincture – 4 full droppers (use a stevia that is meant to be a biofilm buster – Nutramedix has one specific for this – contact me if you would like to purchase)
- Gently stir and drink.
That alone is so incredibly sweet and tangy and wild and so WOW that it tastes like a cocktail drink. It is a strong flavor because it is not diluted.
Leftovers
If you have any leftovers of the mix, refrigerate and the next morning add water to dilute and drink throughout the day.
Enjoy Nature
Amazing that this beautiful flowering shrub can produce such a powerful product to add to our chronic illness arsenal. As we move into health, Cistus Tea is suggested as part of a maintenance plan to maintain health. It tastes good so this is an easy one.
Have fun with food,
Maribeth Baxter, CLS (Certified Lyme Specialist)
Dig Deeper – Learn More
Dr. Klinghardt discusses Cistus Tea – video
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