Shruti
- Jun 15, 2020
- 5 min read

Teas to promote health

Updated: Sep 15, 2021

Gosh, I love sipping herbal tea. I have made several friends over it. Sipping tea and talking with your friends and family., nothing can be more satisfying. Whether I am upset, annoyed, or overthinking, tea is always there to relax me. It calms my senses like never before. The best part is it's quick to prepare, and ingredients are still available in my kitchen. Not to forget its various therapeutic effects, which is a win-win.

Moringa leaf tea

Eating plants has tremendous health effects. Nature has different ways to nurture, and one is in the form

of medicinal plants. One such versatile plant is Moringa, also referred to as “Miracle Tree.” Almost all parts of the moringa tree have a therapeutic effect. Commonly known as the drumstick tree, it is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Nutrient-packed moringa leaves are a significant protein source, iron ( three times more than spinach), calcium, vitamin A, Vitamin C, vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, magnesium. Moringa leaf extract is known to regulate the thyroid hormone. Adding moringa leaf extract to your diet is sufficient to reduce blood sugar. It has an immense effect on lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. It helps in burning fat and hence reducing weight. It aids proper digestion and relieves constipation. There are several scientific studies showing moringa acts against liver damage. Yes, this miracle plant does it all. Consuming moringa tea is the easiest way to bestow benefits from plant detoxifying your body. Moringa has no known side effects. It has a pretty strong taste; if you are yet to introduce Moringa in your daily routine, try to start with a minimal quantity and gradually increase.

Recipe

Ingredients:

Moringa leaves 2 sprigs OR Moringa powder 1tsp
Ginger root 1/2 inch (crushed)
water 1 cup

Directions:

1. Boil water.

2. Add all the ingredients.

3. Steep for 5 mins.

4. Strain in a cup.

5. Enjoy.

Nigella seeds tea

Nigella (Nigella sativa) seeds are common household spices in south Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Growing in India, I have an acquired taste for this nutrient-packed spice. It has been an integral part of many cuisines in the world. Be it curries, flatbreads, pickles; you can use it in several ways.

Thymoquinone is one of the most active constituents of Nigella has many pharmacological properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive (reduced sensation of pain and injury), and anti-epileptic properties. Traditionally, it has been used to treat diseases like dyspepsia, diabetes, headache, influenza, and asthma. Nigella tea is the easiest way to include this little wonder in your diet.

Recipe

Ingredients:

Nigella seeds -1/2 tsp (grind it to release its oil)

Water -1 cup

Lemon juice -few drops

Honey to sweeten (optional)

Directions:

1. Boil water

2. Add ground nigella seeds

3. Simmer for 2 mins

4. strain in the cup.

5. Add lemon juice.

6. add honey to sweeten.

7. enjoy

Holy basil tea

It won't be an overstatement to say that every household in India, big or small, possess a holy basil plant. When they first visited my place, both my mom and mom-in-law were delighted to see my tulsi plant here in the US. Its work as a charm against common colds and cough. Be it a long, busy, tiring day or suffering from a sore throat, Tulsi tea (commonly known as kadha in India) relaxes you. Due to its incredible benefits for overall health, it's considered sacred in India. It's a pre-eminent herb used in Ayurveda. Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene) is the active component of holy basil that is mainly responsible for its therapeutic effect.

Several scientific evidence showing that holy basil can handle a variety of stress inside the body. It is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anti-depressant, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and many more.

Recipe

Ingredients:

Water 1-1/2cups
Holy basil leaves – 6-7
Cinnamon stick-1inch
Freshly grated ginger -1tsp
Crushed pepper – 2-3
Clove- 2
Saffron -2-3 strand(optional)
Honey to sweeten (optional)

Directions:

Boil water
Add all the ingredients
Simmer for 5 mins.
Strain in a cup
Add honey to sweeten
Enjoy

Banana peel tea

Banana is a staple food crop in many parts of the world. It is a nutrient-dense fruit, and so is its peel. Banana peel is rich in magnesium and potassium and possesses a high amount of vitamin B6 and B12. In many parts of the world, people eat a banana with the peel intact, or several banana dishes are made using its skin to obtain its maximum benefit. In ayurvedic scriptures, eating banana peel scraped from inside before tossing it (or never toss it as banana peel makes the best compost) is advisable. Banana peel is rich in a health-relevant phenolic compound proven to be antimicrobial and a potent antioxidant. But, the reason to include the tea in your diet is it has soothing effects. Drinking banana peel tea before bed will make you sleep instantly. (toss your sleeping pill. save your banana peel…hah)

Recipe

Ingredients:

Ripe Banana peel (clean the skin thoroughly to get rid of traces of pesticides)
Water 1 and 1/2 cup
dash of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Cut banana peel into small pieces

2. Add banana peel into the water

3. Boil it for 5 mins

4. Add cinnamon powder

5. Enjoy

Digestive tea (Cumin, coriander and fennel tea)

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) tea is the most familiar tea in any ayurvedic facility due to its detoxifying property. All three herbs have one thing in common. They all fall in the "stomachic herb category, which means they can tone and strengthen our digestive system and aid better digestion. In ayurvedic scriptures, The combination of cumin-coriander and fennel seeds has magical effects when brewed as a tea. These spices are high in antioxidants. Coriander helps with IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) and eases the spasm in the intestine. Cumin, apart from helping in digestion, relieves heartburn. Fennel reduces bloating and gas. It also stimulates digestive juice. It acts against allergies. Due to high fiber content, fennel helps with constipation.

It is good to have this tea after a meal as it increases metabolism and deals with the digestive issue. This tea is also associated with weight loss. Although fennel is a safe herb, the consumption of fennel is not advisable in pregnancy, as it may lead to premature contraction.

Recipe

Ingredients:

¼ tsp cumin seeds
¼ tsp coriander seeds
¼ tsp fennel seeds
1 cup of boiling water

Directions :

1. Pour the hot water over the seeds, cover and steep for 10 mins

2. Strain the seeds

3. Enjoy

(Tip: Dry roasting the seeds before using will enhance the taste)

Turmeric tea

Got a scratch? Apply turmeric coconut oil paste to it.

Were you experiencing a sprain in your ankle? Use turmeric paste to reduce inflammation.

Are you suffering from a bad cold? Drink warm golden turmeric milk for quick relief.

Do you want an even skin tone or get rid of acne? Try a turmeric face mask.

These are examples of typical home remedies in India used daily.

This king herb of our kitchen cabinet got them all. Turmeric, the golden wonder spice, is one of the most well-researched herbs. Curcumin, the most known active ingredient, is an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, boosts immunity, protects against heavy metal toxicity, is good for the skin, acts against mental illnesses. Turmeric works great against pain; According to a study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, turmeric is at par effective to ibuprofen for osteoarthritis without any side effects. Its benefit is endless. Curcumin, the polyphenol, is absorbed effectively in the presence of black pepper and healthy fats. Turmeric is the integral spice of Indian cuisine. Be it a curry, a lentil, or beans dish attains a delicious taste with a dash of turmeric. If you are not a big fan of turmeric's flavor, conceal the feeling and blend the small turmeric root in your smoothie. Else, Having turmeric tea first in the morning is the right way to detoxify the body. I love to add ginger in my tea as turmeric and ginger help in peristalsis, i.e., food movement in the digestive tract and aid proper digestion.