Cold season…at the same time the season of cough and cold, flu and infections. You need to be well prepared before the viruses attack you. Why not make yourself a herbal drink? It will boost your immune system, helps you in dealing with stress, nausea, blood pressure, cholesterol issues, liver health and much more. Indian households have relied on herbal drinks since ages. So basically herbal drink is a generations old tried and tested formula. Come check these health drinks for the amazing health benefits to your body –
Ginger and turmeric tea
Ginger and turmeric is a go to option for any kind of home remedy in winters. Be it for your skin or the immunity. It will not only boost your immune system but also prove successful in the digestion. The tea is highly popular in Okinawa, Japan. And it is quick and easy to prepare –
Take 2 cups of water in a pot. Start boiling it. Add 1/2 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp cinnamon and ½ tsp chopped ginger to it. Heat on a medium flame and simmer it for about 10 minutes. Then strain it in a glass. Now put a tsp honey. You can also squeeze a half lemon to it for taste. Drink after a meal for the best benefits of the tea.
The basic Tulsi (Holy basil) tea
For detoxification of your body, the tulsi tea is highly beneficial. It strengthens the immunity too. You fill find it in every Indian home during the winters. The basil is even used in medication, several drugs have it as a common ingredient.
To make the tea, all you need is – 1 cup fresh and thoroughly washed tulsi leaves (Krishna or Ram), 2 cups water, 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp lemon juice (optional for taste), black pepper.
Let’s start preparing. Take a saucepan and boil the water. Put the tulsi leaves to it, you can use both the types of leaves. Now, turn the heat to a low flame. Allow the tulsi to steep for a while (5 minutes or even more). Once done, strain the tea in a glass or mug.
For taste, add honey or lemon juice with a pinch of black pepper. Your flavored tulsi tea is ready to savor.
The Giloy (heart- leaved moonseed) juice
The Giloy juice was widely appreciated and recommended when the world was dealing with COVID 19. It supports the immunity system in the winter season, providing wellness benefits. Ayurveda considers the Giloy as herb. The leaves can be eaten raw as well. Here is a quick recipe for Giloy tea –
Giloy stems, or Giloy leaves, half inch ginger, black pepper, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp lemon juice and 2 cups of water.
In order to prepare the Giloy tea, you have to boil the water. Add the giloy stems or the giloy leaves to it. Now add the ginger and a pinch black pepper to it. Keep boiling it on a low flame as long as the tea turns half.
Now strain it in a glass or mug. Drink it after adding lemon juice and honey for the flavor. It is suggested to intake the tea in the morning, first as you wake up empty stomach.
The cinnamon tea
In winter, you need to have a good metabolism. Then only your immune system can function well. It will warm and soothe you up. Just 3 ingredients and you are ready with your drink. Moreover, it needs no straining, easy and is quite healthy. Let’s get going.
You need 2 Ceylon cinnamon sticks (yes, the one that is available in our country), 2 cups of water, honey.
Boil the water in a pot. Put the sticks to it. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Then turn the stove off. You can let it steep for a while. As mentioned, you can easily remove the sticks by your hand, no worry with straining. Pour in a glass or mug. Add a tsp honey for taste. Have the drink in evenings for your gut health.
Lemongrass tea
Let me tell you, everyone is addicted to the lemongrass tea. For, it is refreshing and subtly good. Trust me, you will love it once you try it. The lemongrass gives the citrus flavor to the drink. The best part is you can have the drink iced or hot. So it helps in summers as well as winters. If you are having a tiring day or you feel fatigued, this drink can surely charge you up.
For preparing the drink, you need – 2 lemongrass stalks, 2 cups of water, 1 tsp honey or sugar, lime wheels (basically to garnish but they can give your drink a kind of tanginess).
All you have to do is start boiling the water in a saucepan. Add the lemongrass for around 5 minutes. Let the tea simmer on a low heat for another 5 minutes. When done, strain the stalks out of the tea. Add honey and stir well before you drink. Do not forget to place the lime wheels, before you have it. Having this tea in the noon will take away all your bored up feels away.
With this, we end up the section of our healthy winter drinks that are a perfect metabolic treat for your immune system. Not every tea has to be the milk added one. These teas can be tasty too and effective as well.