If you’re an Indian, you are quite likely to have that favourite snack exclusively reserved for monsoons. And if you’re like most Indians, it’s likely to be something fried accompanied by a cup of steaming hot chai! Try to replace the chai with some easy-to-make herbal teas recipes for monsoon.
The damp, cold weather of the rainy season brings out all our cravings for deep fried food and hot drinks. While they certainly are comforting at the moment, all that oil and sugar isn’t doing your waistline any favours, not to mention your overall health.
But that doesn’t mean you need to give up that comforting cuppa while you sit in the balcony and watch it rain. Just change the contents of the cup, so that it boosts your immunity and heals you from within, while also providing that much needed warmth!
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The best option for you during this season is a cup of soothing, aromatic herbal tea. Whatever your monsoon health challenge may be, trust me, there’s a cup of herbal tea out there that’s tailor made for you. Let’s find out which one it is, so you can make it right at home! So here are some super easy-to-make herbal teas recipes for monsoon.
1. Ginger Tea
If it’s raining, then you have to have ginger – period. This humble everyday spice is secretly a superhero, healing you from within and strengthening you for all seasonal afflictions.
Ginger tackles one of the biggest monsoon problems – sluggish digestion. Another important role ginger has during this season is treating the common cold. It clears up the respiratory tract, soothes the throat and helps with other assorted allergy symptoms.
To make ginger tea
Boil about 250 ml of water and add peeled or grated ginger to it. Cover the cup and let it steep for some minutes. Take out the root and your tea is ready.
2. Peppermint Tea
When you think of mint or peppermint, the first adjective that comes to mind is ‘refreshing’. And it’s very much so! It’s no wonder that so many OTC medications use peppermint as one of its ingredients, it’s truly effective!
Peppermint is perfect to tackle fevers that arise during monsoon. The menthol in peppermint is a natural coolant, and it brings down body temperature by increasing perspiration. It’s also good for digestion and that annoying, itchy sore throat.
You can buy peppermint tea here.
To make peppermint tea
Heat some water but don’t let it boil. Crush a few peppermint leaves and put it into an empty cup. Pour the hot water over it. Cover and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the leaves and drink your tea.
MUST READ: KASHAYA, AN IMMUNITY BOOSTER FOR MONSOON
3. Chamomile Tea
The much talked about chamomile tea isn’t something for dainty ladies who like experimenting with fancy teas – it’s a true hero for the monsoons! Chamomile has been used for generations, beginning with the ancient Egyptians who considered it the treatment for a variety of ailments.
Chamomile’s main benefit is that it helps to reduce stress and improve sleep, which is the very foundation for good health and immunity. With anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, chamomile also helps fight symptoms of flu and skin infections.
To make chamomile tea
Boil water and turn off the heat. Take an empty cup, put a teaspoon of dried chamomile in it and then pour the slightly cooled boiled water over it. Cover and let it steep for 5-6 minutes. Strain the tea and drink.
You can buy chamomile tea here.
4. Basil Tea
Indian basil or Tulsi is regarded as a holy herb, and it has many uses in Ayurveda. Tulsi is something your grandmother is likely to swear by, and it is a one stop shop for all common monsoon problems.
There is nothing the Tulsi can’t handle. It can treat flu symptoms like fever and headache to digestive issues. It is also good for those with seasonal allergies and respiratory issues. What’s more, tulsi leaves help to build immunity, which is very important during this season.
To make basil tea
Boil a few basil leaves in water for a few seconds. Strain and pour into a cup. You can buy basil tea here.
5. Green Tea
Green tea needs no introduction, considering the immense media attention its getting. There’s even a joke that the only way green tea will help you lose weight is if you go to the mountain and pick it yourself! However, for the health benefits of green tea this season, you don’t need to go anywhere!
The most talked about benefit of green tea is its rich content of antioxidants. These help fight illnesses and also flush out harmful substances from the body. What’s more, it also increases metabolism, which takes a hit during the monsoon.
To make green tea
Put a teaspoon of green tea leaves into a tea strainer. Place the strainer in the cup and pour the hot water over the green tea leaves. Let it sit for a minute. Remove the strainer and your tea is ready to drink.
Easy to make, aren’t they? Do try some of these herbal teas recipes for monsoon and leave in a comment to tell me how you liked them! This post originally appeared on Quint Fit. You can read the rest of the post here.
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