The weather is starting to shift to the cool raininess of autumn. The kids have started their back to school activities, and there's a buzz in the air this year about illness.

What can we do to help our kids as they head back to the classroom with more exposure to germs and illness?

How can we help their bodies transition from the warm dry summer, through the cool damp autumn and into cold winter?

I asked my kids, "What are your favorite herbal medicine remedies?"

The first one out of both of their mouths was "chai!"

I kept a pot of an immune boosting, herbal chai brewing throughout the winter last year, and they loved it. What a wonderful feeling to be nourishing them with medicine they enjoy.

This year, I'm starting the chai early - using it as a fall tonic to nourish our immune systems and to warm our bodies on chilly fall days.

Most often chai is made with strong black tea, but I am not interested in that large dose of caffeine and make mine with herbs alone. It is delicious!

Ready for the recipe?

Immune Building Autumn Chai Recipe 3 1⁄2 cups of boiling water 2 Cinnamon sticks 1 Tablespoon fresh Ginger, grated 1 whole Nutmeg, chopped 1 Tablespoon Cardamom seed pods 5 tongues of Astragulus root 1 Tablespoon dried burdock root 1 Tablespoon dried dandelion root 1⁄2 tsp. whole Cloves 1⁄4 tsp. black Peppercorns 1⁄2 tsp. Anise seeds 1⁄2 tsp. whole Allspice 1⁄2 tsp. Echinacea root Most of these items you can get at the supermarket, however, you can get Burdock root, Dandelion root, Echinacea root and Astragulus right here. (If this site is out, simply search for "bulk herbs" for alternate bulk herb sites)

What you do...

Simmer the spices in the water for about 15 minutes. (If you’d like to add black tea, add 1/8 cup after removing from the heat and steep for not more than 3 minutes.)

Strain out the herbs, add warmed milk (I suggest at least 1/4 cup) and honey to taste. Enjoy this delicious fall tonic, and the wonderful feeling of giving your kids a tasty, nourishing treat!

–Kimberly

P.S. This isn't just for the kids, you know. John and I love it too!