Are you one of those who like their traditional coffee or tea to sip on every morning, or are you one of those ready to try out one of these new herbal drinks? Herbal teas are one of the best remedies to building a strong immunity and to promote general health.
Here are five drinks to consume in the morning that can boost health and immunity:
1. Masala Chai:
Masala chai is a flavoured Indian tea with its main ingredients being black tea (from black tea leaves), milk and spices. Spices are good for digestion as they could calm your gut and keep it healthy. Spices also contain high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents which can keep your skin healthy and boost hair health.
Ingredients:
- 6 two-inch pieces of cinnamon
- 2 tsp peppercorns
- 2 tsp cloves
- 2 tsp cardamom
- 10 – 12 pieces of dried ginger
Method:
To make the Masala chai powder: On a pan dry roast all the ingredients (excluding the dried ginger) on low flame for 1 to 1½ minutes. Turn off the flame and let it sit for a minute or two to cool down. Then in a mixer blender, add in the roasted ingredients along with the dried ginger and blend it into a fine powder. Sieve this powder and store it in an air tight container.
To make the Masala chai:
Boil half a cup of water and add in ½ tsp of the Masala chai powder and 1 tsp of any tea powder or tea leaves of your choice. Let it come to a boil and then add in ½ a cup of milk and let it simmer for a few minutes, keep stirring occasionally. Add in sugar to taste and then mix once before turning off the flame. The tea is now ready, strain it into a cup and it is ready to be consumed.
2. Turmeric milk:
This drink can help relieve joint pain and inflammation, reduce swelling and soothe the symptoms of cough and cold. Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce acne and soothe irritated skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm/hot milk
- ⅛ tsp pepper powder
- ¼ tsp organic turmeric (haldi) powder
- Honey (to taste)
- 1 inch piece of cinnamon
Method:
Boil one cup of milk and add in ⅛ tsp pepper powder with ¼ tsp (a pinch) of organic turmeric (haldi) powder and cinnamon. You can also add in honey (which is optional) to taste. Boil it for a minute or so on high flame and then turn off. Strain this into a cup and it is ready to consume.
3. Chia water:
Chia water can help in the regulation of blood sugar, promote weight loss, aid digestion, treats constipation and makes your skin glow
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp chia seeds
- 1 glass of water
- Half a lemon
Method:
In a mug, add in water along with chia seeds and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon. Set it aside for 10 mins for the chia seeds to swell. Stir and enjoy.
4. Ginger tea with lemon and honey:
Ginger and lemon are both ingredients high in antioxidant properties and can promote overall health from digestive health to skin health.
Ingredients:
- 2 two-inch pieces of fresh ginger (or grated)
- ¼ to ½ tsp lemon juice (as per your taste)
- Honey (to taste)
Method:
Using a mortar and pestle, coarsely jam the ginger. Then boil one cup of water and when it comes to boiling point, add in the ginger (and the coarsely ground optional ingredients) and honey to taste. Let it boil for another minute or so. Turn off the flame and strain the contents into a cup. Add in the lemon juice, stir well and it is ready to consume.
5. Ayurveda CCF tea:
The popular CCF (cumin, coriander and fennel) tea can help lower blood sugar levels, reduce stress and anxiety, promote weight loss, boost immunity and contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties that can protect and boost skin health. READ MORE – Ayurveda Miracle CCF Tea Recipe with Three Ingredients