Try This 3-Ingredient Ayurvedic Tea to Banish Cold Symptoms Once and for All
With cold season in full swing, pesky symptoms might be getting in the way of you living your best life. We know the feeling. Luckily, Ayurveda — the Indian sister science of yoga — suggests a simple-to-make recipe for a warming, nourishing tea that can heal you from the inside out.
Our immune systems often suffer in January and February due to the overindulgence of the holiday season, along with the lack of activity and sunshine that tends to follow winter. However, by nourishing the body with warming spices and healing herbs, we can easily kick cold symptoms to the curb and provide the body with what it needs to rejuvenate.
This Ayurvedic tea recipe for colds is made with just three ingredients: licorice, cinnamon, and holy basil (also called “Tulsi”) leaf. In Ayurveda, licorice root is known as a healing plant with expectorant properties, helping to loosen and move mucus in the body. Similarly, cinnamon is used Ayurvedically as a warming spice, helping to heat the body and fight cold symptoms like congestion and a sore throat. Finally, holy basil is known as an adaptogenic herb, which means it brings overall balance to the body’s systems, boosting immunity and promoting a healthy stress response at a time when the body needs quality rest.
For an added immunity boost, you can also grate some ginger and add fresh lemon juice into the blend. Follow the recipe below to make this Ayurvedic tea for colds.
Yields
Total Time
Cook Time
Ingredients
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 1 stick of licorice root
- 1/2 tsp. holy basil leaf
- honey to taste optional
- 1/2 tsp. grated ginger optional
- squeeze of fresh lemon juice optional
Instructions
Bring one cup water to a boil on the stove.
Once boiling, add remaining ingredients (except honey) to the pot and boil for 3 to 5 minutes.
Strain herbs and serve hot. If you're using honey, make sure to let the tea cool down a bit first before adding.
You can purchase holy basil leaves online. Personally, I use this one from Pride of India ($9.50, Amazon). This stuff is great to keep on hand, as it has so many other uses!
If brewing a tea like this on your own is not your thing, you can also try pre-made tea bags from Organic India ($13.12, Amazon). Simply add the cinnamon to it and drink up!
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