By Elizabeth Herman | Posted: March 30, 2020
Wisdom about home remedies abound, passed down through generations from ancient times. It helps to draw on such curative practices during times when preventative health measures take center stage. For instance, during the current (Spring of 2020) public health crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, citizens of many countries must consider how to prevent their own and others’ illnesses.
The Covid 19 pandemic, as it’s often called, has disrupted the functioning of much of our society. School districts have closed for at least several weeks at a time; restaurants, bars, basketball leagues, and other social venues have also shut down for indefinite lengths of time. So while everyone feels increasingly isolated (except for internet interactions), we have extra time to learn more about preventive measures we can initiate on our own, without reliance on an overtaxed health care system.
1) Cumin Coriander Fennel tea
This popular tea, known as CCF tea in the Ayurveda community, has spices that support a variety of body types making it tridoshic - meaning suitable to Pitta, Vata, Kapha body types.
To make this immunity boosting tea:
Ingredients
1. Main ingredients - 1 tsp of cumin seeds, 1 tsp of coriander and 1 tsp of fennel
2. Can add 1/2 tsp of fresh grated ginger (or 1/4th tsp dry ginger is better if you have hyperacidity).
3. Can add a pinch of black pepper and cardamom.
4. Can add a few tulsi (holy basil) leaves or a pinch of the powdered form.
Instructions
1. Boil in 6 cups of water.
2. Strain and enjoy!
3. Sip through the day - preferably warm or lukewarm.
4. Honey and a pinch of lemon can be added when the tea is lukewarm (not when it is hot).
2) Echinacea, chamomile, and raspberry tea
With herbs that I buy in bulk at a local health food store, I’ve been drinking this soothing and immunity boosting tea made from various combinations of leaves of echinacea and raspberry and whole chamomile flowers. Raspberry leaf contains iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C, and reduces the risk of high blood pressure, blocked arteries, strokes, and heart attacks. Echinacea is known to prevent and lessen cold symptoms, reduce blood sugar levels thus lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease, calm anxiety, and lessen inflammation.
I usually place any combination of these three herbs into a tea infuser spoon, and pour hot water over it in my tea cup. You can also use a mesh tea strainer, or place a larger quantity of your mixed herbs into empty, cup sized tea bags, iron them shut with a warm iron, and steep the tea that way. With your own homemade tea bags, you can steep the tea in individual cup sized portions or in a small tea pot for multiple cups of tea.
For a large amount of tea, combine ½ cup each of echinacea leaves, chamomile flowers, raspberry leaves. Fill and seal empty tea bags and use as needed, or simply keep in a sealed container and use in a tea infuser as needed. For individual portions, you can skip the step of mixing the herbs and take pinches of each herb and place them in a tea infuser of your choice.
3) Ginger, turmeric, and black pepper tea
Boil 1 pinch each of ginger, turmeric, and black pepper together with 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, and black pepper helps us absorb the turmeric and activate it. Ginger assists with digestion and immunity and contains magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium. Another way to take this combination is in a broth or soup. In fact, any hot liquid with these spices will help. Or, you can also mix them cold with a spoon of honey for a quicker boost.
4) Lemon cinnamon tea
Organic green tea has high amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols (also known as antioxidants) for strong defense against illness. It’s best to avoid adding milk to this tea because the proteins in milk will stop the polyphenols from working on your body’s behalf. A cinnamon stick can help reduce inflammation, ward off heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, bacterial and fungal infections, and a number of other health problems. Lemon juice and raw honey make the green tea taste less bitter. For 1 cup of green tea, add 1 cinnamon stick, ½ tsp. lemon (or lime) juice, and 1 tsp. honey.
These tea recipes will come in very handy for building your immunity, especially during this coronavirus pandemic. Other things that could be of immense help are yoga, meditation, and breathing practices. Besides giving you an immunity boost, these practices can help a lot to keep your mind calm and ease your stress. Join this FREE webinar and learn HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR STRESS INTO EASE USING SIMPLE, POWERFUL TOOLS
A good variety of immunity boosting teas can make good health both delicious and satisfying. Try a different tea each day and find out which one tastes and feels best to you. There are endless combinations of spices and herbs that you can combine creatively with hot water for the sake of your own health. Here’s hoping you thrive, stay safe, and enjoy tea time!
Elizabeth Herman writes, offers writing support to clients, teaches, and volunteers for a better world. She has a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition and Literature. Find her on Facebook or Twitter.
