A 5,000-year-old practice, Ayurveda is much more than medicine. My clients and I have relied on Ayurvedic philosophy for 40 years and it has kept our immunity on prime. A lifestyle of India and now spreading around the world, shaping and redesigning quality of life via building immunity for wellness. Here are three teas that help keep your body’s defence strong and prevent from forming mucus. Along with anti-inflammatory properties, it also helps promote heart health, breaks down mucus formation and helps with metabolism.
Warm Alkaline Tea: It reduces inflammation and has a positive effect on your gut-brain-axis, GBA. Helps switch your body’s acidic level to alkaline which helps with building immunity if had regularly especially during pandemics like Covid-19.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp Cumin seeds
1 tbsp Coriander seeds
1 tbsp Fennel seeds
6-8 Mint leaves
6-8 Ginger wedges
1 Lemon
500 ml Warm water
Method: Boil 500 ml filtered water in a steel boiler and add all the ingredients except lemon till the water turns yellowishbrown in colour. Take the tea in a thermos flask and keep for the day or to share it with the family between mealtimes. Keep the lemon ready and squeeze it in the cup just when ready to drink it to keep the alkaline properties from getting disrupted. For kids, you can add natural organic honey or jiggery.
Turmeric Latte: We have been drinking turmeric milk for a long time. Currently, it is the most trending latte in the West. There are over 10 benefits, to name a few: a) Antioxidants, essential for cell functioning and lower the risk of infections fighting against pathogens and germs; (b) Improves brain function and memory, as curcumin in turmeric increases neurotrophic factor BDNF which is a compound that helps form connections and promotes the growth of brain cells. Cognitive fitness is most essential for mental wellness.
Ingredients:
½ tsp Organic Turmeric powder
1 cup Almond milk for vegans,
regular milk for milk tolerant individuals or rice milk (great in probiotics)
½ tsp jaggery or natural honey (if needed)
1 piece Clove (bio-compound activator)
Method: Mildly boil the milk and add the ingredients in it, strain and drink warm.
Ginger, Lemon and Dandelion Tea: Dandelion tea has many effects on the digestive system keeping your digestion and hormones humming. It cools the body by detoxifying the liver, kidneys, removes toxins and is one of the most powerful underrated herbs in the world. It is also a diuretic and helps fight diabetes.
Ingredients:
3-4 wedges Ginger
¼ Lemon
½ tsp Dandelion Tea
300 ml Water
Cinnamon
Method: Warm filtered water in a steel vessel and add all the ingredients except lemon. Allow it to boil, strain, squeeze the lemon and drink.
The writer is Integrative Nutritionist and Gut Health Coach.