How to make Starbucks ‘medicine ball tea’ at home

Everyone raves about the wonders of the Starbucks medicine ball recipe. The instant you start to feel sick, the nourishing tea blend of steamed citrus, mint, peach, and honey always seems to ease your cold symptoms. But what if you’re too sick to make the trip out to get one?

You can make a Starbucks medicine ball recipe right in the comfort of your own kitchen. All you need to do is create an easy elixir with just a few ingredients, including lemon, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, says celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder,

Lemons are loaded with the natural antioxidant vitamin C. And turmeric is an all-star on the cold-fighting front with the powerful compound curcumin. “It has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties,” she says. “Studies show that turmeric is capable of enhancing antibody response, giving an extra boost to the immune system as it fights off viruses and germs. And black pepper enhances the bioavailability of turmeric, making it easier for the body to absorb and reap the benefits of the spice.”

Cloves and cinnamon do the body good, too, giving you that warm-and-cozy feeling while nourishing your body at the same time. “They’re considered warming spices, which heat up the body by boosting circulation and speeding the metabolism,” Snyder says. “These actions have a positive effect on the immune system, so adding them into your diet can help fight colds and flu. Cloves specifically contain a compound called eugenol, which is effective in staving off harmful bacteria and viruses.”

Ready to make your own Starbucks medicine ball at home? Try Snyder’s go-to immunity-boosting elixir below.

A healthy tea that’s just as good as Starbucks medicine ball recipe

Ingredients
1/4 tsp powdered cloves1/4 tsp powdered cinnamon1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper1/2 tsp powdered turmeric1 1/2 to 2 tsp honey or maple syrup8 oz of hot waterjuice of half a lemon

1. Mix all the ingredients together in the hot water.2. Add in the honey or maple syrup and enjoy!

Once you’re on the mend, here’s how to eat for energy:

Here are two more things you should always drink when you’re sick, according to a derm. And the reason you shouldn’t go into the cold with damp hair has nothing to do with getting sick.