NATURAL IMMUNITY BOOSTING DRINK RECIPES

Body immunity is the body’s condition to resist and fight against certain diseases (the invasion of pathogens). Pathogens are foreign disease-causing substances like virus, bacteria etc. Therefore building our body immunity is of utmost importance especially for general health and especially during times of illness.

Traditionally, these immunity boosting drinks are called as ‘Kadha’ and are made from herbs and spices, but variations too can be made. Consuming kadha can improve the body’s antioxidant levels and reduce the risk of developing illness, as the antioxidants provide the body with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties.

Here are some immunity boosting drink recipes you can consume to build your immunity:

1. Masala Chai: Originating from the Indian subcontinent, Masala chai is a flavored Indian tea with its main ingredients being black tea (from black tea leaves), milk, spices like green cardamom, cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, ground ginger and black peppercorns and sugar. Spices are good for digestion as they could calm your gut and keep it healthy

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 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.

4. Traditional spices kadha:

Ingredients:

• 2 cloves
• 2 cardamoms
• 4 to 6 pepper corns
• 4 tulsi (Holy basil) leaves
• One inch piece of cinnamon
• 2 one inch slices of fresh ginger (or grated)
• ¼ to ½ tsp lemon juice (as per your taste)
• Sugar (to taste)

Method:

Using a mortar and pestle (known as ‘okhli aur musal’ in Hindi), coarsely grind into a coarse powder the cloves, cardamom, pepper corns and cinnamon. Then boil one cup of water and when it comes to boiling point, add in the coarsely ground ingredients, tulsi leaves, ginger slices and sugar 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.

3. Turmeric milk: This drink can help relieve joint pain and inflammation, reduce swelling, soothe the symptoms of cough and cold and can also promote better sleep. It has  anti-inflammatory properties; is a natural antiseptic and anti-bacterial agent that fights infections, cold flu and also boost immunity.

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 ⅛ 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  cup and it is ready to consume.

4. Ginger tea with lemon and honey:

Ingredients:

• 2 two inch pieces of fresh ginger (or grated)
• ¼ to ½ tsp lemon juice (as per your taste)
• Honey (to taste)

Optional Ingredients:

• 2 cardamoms
• 4 to 6 pepper corns
• One inch piece of cinnamon

Method:

Using a mortar and pestle (known as ‘okhli aur musal’ in Hindi), coarsely jam the ginger (adding in the cardamom, pepper corns and cinnamon if you wish to add those ingredients to your tea). 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.