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To make palo azul tea, bring 1 liter of water to a boil, add about ⅓ ounce (10 g) of palo azul bark, and lower the heat. Simmer for 25 minutes, strain, and sip warm. If you want the famous blue shimmer, see the cold-steep option below.
Palo azul is a Mexican herbal tea made from the bark of the Eysenhardtia polystachya tree. It’s a two-ingredient recipe with a mild, earthy, slightly sweet flavor. Here is exactly how I make it, plus how long to boil it, how to get the blue color, and what to know before you drink it.
What Is Palo Azul Tea?
Palo azul (“blue stick”) is a bark traditionally used in Mexico as a folk remedy, most often for the urinary tract and kidneys. The tree is also called kidneywood in English.
The flavor is light, woody, and gently sweet, so it’s easy to drink plain. You can serve it hot or chilled.
Ingredients
- Palo azul bark: about ⅓ ounce (10 g), in small chips, shavings, or pieces. Buy bark from a reputable herb shop or Mexican market so you know what you’re getting.
- Water: 1 liter (about 4 cups).
- Optional: honey or maple syrup, and a squeeze of lemon.
How Do You Make Palo Azul Tea From Bark?
You simmer the bark gently in water, then strain it. That’s the whole method. Here are the steps.
Step 1: Boil the water
Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a medium pot on the stove.
Step 2: Add the bark and simmer
Reduce the heat to low and add the bark. Simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring now and then. The water will slowly turn golden to amber.
Step 3: Strain and serve
Turn off the heat and strain out the bark. Pour 1 cup of hot tea into a mug and sweeten if you like.
How Long Do I Boil Palo Azul?
Boil the water first, then simmer the bark on low for 25 minutes. Don’t boil the bark hard the whole time. A gentle simmer keeps the pot from reducing too fast and gives a smoother flavor.
If you like a stronger tea, add a little more bark rather than simmering much longer. The more bark you use, the stronger the tea will be.
How Do I Make Palo Azul Tea Blue?
The blue comes from the bark itself, and it shows up best when you steep the bark in cold or room-temperature water. Use the same ratio (⅓ ounce of bark to 1 liter of water) in a clear glass jar and let it steep for several hours or overnight in the fridge.
Hold the glass up to good light against a dark background and you’ll see a bluish shimmer. The simmered tea in the pot usually looks amber or orange. The cold-steep version is a variation, so the flavor will be a little lighter.
Does Palo Azul Tea Work as a Detox Tea?
Palo azul is often sold as a “detox” tea, but I can’t point you to solid human research showing that it detoxes anything. Your liver and kidneys do that job all day long.
As a dietitian, I treat it as a pleasant, caffeine-free herbal drink and not a cleanse. Staying hydrated, eating plenty of fiber, and sleeping well will do more for you than any tea.
How Do You Use Palo Azul?
Most people drink it as a regular cup of tea, warm or iced, a cup at a time through the day. There’s no standard dose, so start with one cup and see how you feel.
If you take medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist how much is reasonable for you.
¿Cómo Preparar el Palo Azul?
Hierve 1 litro de agua, baja el fuego y agrega unos 10 gramos de corteza de palo azul. Déjalo hervir a fuego bajo durante 25 minutos, cuélalo y sírvelo caliente o frío. Para el color azul, deja la corteza en agua fría varias horas o toda la noche en un vaso de vidrio transparente.
Is Palo Azul the Same as Herbalife Skittles Tea?
No. Palo azul is a plain bark tea, while Herbalife tea drinks are flavored beverages made from a powdered mix. They share the word “tea” and nothing else, so don’t expect a candy-like flavor from palo azul. If you’re after the fruity drinks, my Herbalife tea recipes are linked at the bottom of this post.
Cooking Tips
- Keep the heat on low after adding the bark so the tea infuses evenly.
- Sweeten after straining. A teaspoon of honey or maple syrup per cup is plenty.
- Chill the tea and serve over ice with lemon for a refreshing drink.
Can I Substitute Anything for Palo Azul Bark?
Chamomile, lavender, or valerian root make good herbal teas, but they taste different and aren’t true replacements for palo azul. Use them if you want a soothing cup, not if you want the same tea.
I’d keep the base as plain water. Simmering the bark in plant milk isn’t something I’d recommend.
Palo Azul Tea Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Water pot
- 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1/6 ounce of fragrant Palo Azul Bark
- 500 milliliters of pure crystal-clear water
Instructions
- Start by bringing 1 liter of water to a boil in a pot on the stove.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add ⅓ of an ounce of Palo Azul bark into the pot. Allow it to simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 25 minutes you can turn off the heat, strain the tea, and set it aside. To serve, pour 1 cup of hot Palo Azul tea.
Notes
- When boiling the Palo Azul bark, make sure to reduce the heat to low once it comes to a boil. This allows the tea time to infuse and improves its flavor.
- If you want to sweeten your tea, add a bit of honey or maple syrup before serving.
- The more Palo Azul bark you use, the stronger the tea will be.
What Are the Nutrition Facts for Palo Azul Tea?
Plain palo azul tea is essentially calorie-free, with no sugar, fat, or caffeine. It’s often described as rich in plant compounds, but I wouldn’t count on it as a source of vitamins or minerals. Any honey or syrup you add will contribute calories and sugar.
Is Palo Azul Tea Safe? Who Should Skip It?
Palo azul isn’t well studied, so check with your doctor first if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney or liver disease, or take any medication.
If you manage diabetes, don’t assume the tea will help your blood sugar. Evidence is limited, so talk to your care team before adding it to your routine. Stop drinking it and call your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
How Do I Store Leftover Palo Azul Tea?
Let the tea cool, then keep it in a covered glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir or shake before pouring.
You can also freeze it in ice cube trays or a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the fridge, then drink it cold or warm it gently on the stove.
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Wrapping Up
Palo azul tea is easy: simmer ⅓ ounce of bark in 1 liter of water for 25 minutes, strain, and enjoy. Steep it cold in a clear glass if you want to see the blue shimmer.
Treat it as a comforting herbal drink, check with your doctor if you have health concerns, and enjoy it your way.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more