I find this quite pleasant to drink. The tea soothes me and can often coax a melody from deep down to rise and nestle itself onto the staff. I will frequently drink if after meditative moments or cooling down from exercise as, again, it soothes me. I thought that I would share.
Fill a 2 quart sauce pan with water (well, not all the way full but 3/4 full). Add the following:
12 cloves
12 black peppercorns
24 cardamom pods
3-6 cinnamon sticks
A palm full of star anise (optional)
A 2 inch piece of ginger root, sliced into medallions
Bring to a boil and let roll for 10 minutes. Reduce to a simmer, cover and let simmer for 3 hours or so (your house will begin to smell very sexy so be prepared to get it on). After simmering, add 1-2 tsp. black tea (use decaf if you want but the caffeine amount will be fairly marginal) and let sit, covered, overnight.
The next day strain the mixture into a pitcher and fill the rest of the pitcher with water. Don't dilute the tea too much, though.
Reheat as needed. I like to hit mine with a little soy milk and honey. Relax.
rwj
