Chandelier Bush (Klip Dagga) Tea Recipe
Chandelier bush tea or shandilay tea is often used in T&T for treating stubborn coughs and colds. It is usually made by steeping the leaves for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Chandelier bush is known by its botanical name Leonotis nepetifolia and other common names like klip dagga and Christmas candlestick. Its leaves and flowers have long been used as a legal substitute for cannabis and its roots are often used in Ayurveda.
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Ingredients
For this tea, I used:
- chandelier leaves: I used fresh chandelier leaves from my garden for this recipe. The plant is very easy to grow, heat tolerant, needs little watering or maintenance and will continuously propagate itself in the garden. Side note: hummingbirds love the flowers.
- water
- sweetener: Although optional, I highly recommend adding a bit of honey or sugar to the drink.
What does chandelier bush tea taste like
Chandelier bush tea has a herbaceous, slightly bitter taste. It is best to add a sweetener to make it more appealing to drink.
How to make shandilay tea
Step 1: Bring water to a boil. You can do so using your trusty kettle or a small saucepan on medium heat. That’s what I’m using here.
Step 2: Once the water has come to a boil, turn off the heat.
Step 3: Wash the chandelier bush leaves and tear them into small pieces.
Step 4: Add the leaves to the hot water.
Step 5: Allow the leaves to steep for about 10 minutes or so.
Step 6: Strain the leave bits out of the tea.
Step 7: Sweeten if you prefer and serve hot.
Benefits of chandelier bush or klip dagga tea
This 2022 article noted the leaves and roots are used in Ayurveda, Brazilian and African traditional medicine for treating:
- fever
- cough
- skin infections
- rheumatism
- asthma
There are also interesting compounds extracted from the plant that have proven antibacterial, antifungal and anti-diabetic effects.
This Mexican study from 2022 linked the plant to possible antidepressant-like benefits. And, yet another 2022 study, this time out of Poland, showed root extracts of the plant had antioxidant and anti-cancer activity.
Of course, more research is needed to confirm if these effects have any clinical benefits.
Chandelier bush tea recipe
Chandelier bush tea
Ingredients
- 3 grams chandelier leaves
- 2 cups water
- sweetener of choice
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil using a small pot on medium heat or a kettle (about 5 minutes).
- Turn off the heat once the water is boiling.
- Wash the leaves. Tear into small pieces.
- Add to the hot water.
- Leave to steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain.
- Sweeten if desired.
- Serve hot.
