It’s starting to get colder. You know that winter is on its way and with it comes the cold and flu season. But you don’t have to fret, because here is an immune boosting tea that you can use right now to get strong! Besides that, we don’t always have to get sick every year, right? To ward off colds, be pro-active in your health now to build protection from within.
Drinking immune building teas on a daily basis is a good idea throughout the winter season. One really great herbal tea blend I like to sip is Ginger-Turmeric tea. Ginger is well known for its anti-nausea and ability to help with motion sickness and digestive difficulties. But, did you know that it is also an anti-inflammatory and preventative for flus and colds? It’s because the ginger makes you sweat a healthy type of sweat, and according to The World’s Healthiest Foods, “that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting agent that may help fight off infections.” I’d say that is some excellent immune boosting action.
Turmeric, on the other hand, is well-known to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It is also used to boost immunity and that is why it is a part of this herbal tea blend. In the on-line article, Turmeric Powder – Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects, Dr. Andrew Weil is quoted as saying, “Drinking turmeric tea daily may well increase your life span.” Now that is a no nonsense herb!
- 2-3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon powdered turmeric
- one lemon, juiced
- Boil 2 – 3 cups of water.
- Remove pan from burner and add 1 teaspoon each of powdered Ginger and powdered Turmeric. Stir, cover and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- In the meantime, juice one lemon and split between the two cups.
- When the tea is ready, pour in both cups, and enjoy.
Drink to taste the essence of the herbs or add honey to enhance your herbal experience.
To have better health in the future, think about replacing your morning coffee with these tea types. If you are addicted to your morning coffee, at least consider rotating your herbal teas into your mix. Drink a cup of herbal tea, drink a cup of coffee and repeat, but hopefully with more herbal teas…catch my drift? Now you are on your way to building a better immune response.
Other miscellaneous ways to boost your immune system with fresh Ginger is to add it to your foods. Chop it up and add to soups, stir-fry, on top of your food. You can slice it thin and eat it as a condiment to your dish. Even adding ginger slices to your hot teas can enhance your drink to give you what you need.
*Contraindications of Ginger and Turmeric: Use with caution if you are pregnant and interactions can occur with some medications. Consult your doctor first before using.
Sources:
- Annie’s Place, Healing Benefits of Ginger http://www.anniesplacetolearn.com/1/post/2013/10/healing-benefits-of-ginger.html
- World’s Healthiest Foods: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=72
- Turmeric Powder – Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Medindia: http://www.medindia.net/alternativemedicine/turmeric-powder.asp#ixzz2iW5Hz9D5
If you do end up getting a cold, flu, or strep throat, remember to visit our web site, www.healthy-notions.com, for our Natural Strep Throat Remedy and Lemon-Honey Cough Syrup. Eat Well ~ Stay Well
About our guest…
Jan Robbins has always had her mind on nutrition and herbs ever since she was a teenager. Back then her mom gave her a book by Penny C. Royal titled “Herbally Yours” and from that point on she was hooked. Nowadays, she serves as a Nutrition Educator & a Family Herbalist. She currently lives in Nebraska with her husband, Mark, and together they run Healthy Notions, LLC. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Their motto is: Eat Well ~ Stay Well ~
