Drinks to Boost your Immune System for COVID-19

We are aware of the need for a strong immune system, now more than ever. Strong immunity means fewer days in bed, especially when there is a seasonal change, or a pandemic looming large. Although getting sick is inevitable, even for the strongest bodies, falling sick too often indicates an unhealthy immune system. Here are some drinks that are made to boost yours. The best thing about all of them is that they can be made at home, with ingredients off your kitchen shelf.

TURMERIC IMMUNITY SHOT

What’s healthy for us is not always high on taste. Burgers vs. broccoli – you get the gist. That’s where shots help. They might be hard on the palette, but are great for health.

Ingredients

• Black pepper
• Unfiltered apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Lukewarm water
• Turmeric powder

Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder along with half a teaspoon of black pepper powder to lukewarm water. Give it a stir. Add a teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and drink up!

BENEFITS

Turmeric as an ingredient is enriched with curcumin, which is both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. It is extremely helpful in boosting one’s digestion and works wonders for the skin as well. Apple cider vinegar is another ingredient that has been a great disinfectant. It has been used through the ages for its medicinal properties, topically and in cooking. Applying apple cider vinegar is great for the skin as well, because it balances the natural pH of the skin.

SPICED TEA

It’s hard to find a tea lover who won’t like this drink. A little strong in taste, it is endowed with the benefits of many Ayurvedic ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 peppercorns
• 1-inch stick cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 1-star anise
• 1 crushed cardamom pod
• 1 tbsp honey
• A handful of Tulsi leaves

Boil all ingredients except honey along with a litre of water in a pan for 30 minutes. Have ¼ cup of this drink while warm, with a little bit of honey.

BENEFITS

This tea is anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and rich in compounds that help ward off infections. The phytonutrients in raw honey have antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help to boost your immune system and fight sickness.

GREEN JUICE

If you’re planning a detox session, this is definitely going to be your pick, due to its easy-to-make recipe and varied benefits. The bounty of green ingredients in this drink make it the perfect healer for your eyes, joints, skin – basically every part of your body.

Ingredients

• 1 cup coriander leaves
• 1 cup mint leaves
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 Apple or pear
• 1 cup chopped cucumber
• 2 tbsp lemon
• A pinch of rock salt

Blend all ingredients along with a cup of water. Consume immediately.

BENEFITS

This juice is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid and other antioxidants that prevent inflammation and help the body fight infections. It does have a taste that grows with time, and can be added to your every day diet.  

TURMERIC TEA

Soothing and relaxing for the throat as much as it is for the immune system, turmeric tea is a great remedy for innumerable cases. Easy to make, having a cup in the morning and night gives your body enough strength to face the day.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp grated turmeric or 2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Honey for taste
• 4 cups of water

Boil turmeric with water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and serve warm with lemon and honey to taste.

BENEFITS

The main element of this drink is turmeric. It contains a compound called curcumin which modulates the immune system. Turmeric tea’s strong anti-inflammatory properties can help ease inflammation and pain as well.

HOT LEMONADE

It’s one thing to order a hot lemonade at a cafe and one to make it yourself. Super easy and quick, once you ace this recipe- we are sure you’ll be the healing chef as soon as someone utters the word sore throat.

Ingredients

• 4 chopped garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 4 cups of water
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp mint leaves

Boil water in a pan. Add all ingredients except honey, cover and steep for 30 minutes. Strain, pour in a glass and add raw honey or maple syrup to taste. Drink warm.

BENEFITS

Ginger and garlic contain antimicrobial compounds that help treat a host of infections. The antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help lower your risk of disease.

EVERGREEN SMOOTHIE

Another green baby on the list as we can’t stress enough the importance of consuming enough greens to balance the body. With the addition of a few more ingredients to increase your body’s metabolism and immune system, do try this out as a group activity and in turn adding it to your daily lifestyle.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of baby spinach
• A handful of mint leaves
• ½ cup of bottle gourd/ cucumber
• ½ cup of curd
• A pinch of rock salt
• ¼ tsp jeera powder
• A piece of amla or ½ tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup of ice cubes

Place all the ingredients in a blender along with ice cubes and blend till smooth.

BENEFITS

Spinach is packed with numerous antioxidants like Vitamin C, beta carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. The good bacteria in curd helps boost the immune system and reduce the incidences of attacks by harmful microorganisms.

RAGI PORRIDGE

This one might take a while to get used to, although some people swear by it depending on their taste preference. Fibrous, nutritious and healthy- adding Ragi to your diet has more benefits than one can count. Apart from health, ragi porridge is also a great weight loss recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Ragi flour
• ½ cup of water
• ½ cup of milk
• 1 tsp jaggery
• 1/4th tsp of cardamom powder

Place ragi and half cup water in a bowl and mix until there are no lumps. Keep it on the side. Boil a cup of water in a pan, once boiled add the ragi water and stir continuously. Let it thicken and turn glossy by continuously stirring for ten minutes. Add 1 tsp jaggery and mix until it dissolves for a creamy consistency. Add ½ cup milk and 1/4th tsp of cardamom powder and mix well for a smooth consistency.

Add these drinks to your diet, and see how they create a change to your health in the long run. Have some recipes to share with us? Leave your options in the comments below.