Top 9 Home-Made Drinks to Strengthen your Immune System

As Novel Coronavirus spreads across the world, you might be wondering the measures you can take in terms of not only protecting yourself but also fighting off the virus if affected by it. So far, many doctors and health experts have suggested that the only way to fight off or protect oneself from the virus is by strengthening your immune system. The stronger your immune system, the less chance you’ll have of falling ill and if you do, the quicker you will recover. To make sure your immune system is in the finest condition, it pays to think about what you are putting into your body. There are a number of foods that can help build your immune system, but if you are not a fan of adding them on to your plate, you can always try drinking them. Bringing us to the aim of our post – Healthy Drink Recipes! Given below are 9 drink recipes that will not only help you learn which immunity-magnifying nutrient and vitamin each drink has but will also give you a refreshing boost for the day. So, let’s get started!

#1 Turmeric tea

Ingredients:

• Fresh turmeric grated – 1tbsp or 2 tsp turmeric powder
• Lemon juice 1 tbsp
• Unpasteurized honey – to taste (optional)
• Water 4 cups

Method:

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

How does it strengthen your immune system

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.

#2 Immunity boosting spiced tea

Ingredients: 

• Ginger grated – 1 tbsp
• Peppercorns – 2
• Cinnamon – 1-inch stick
• Cloves – 2
• Star anise – 1
• Cardamom pod – 1 crushed
• Unpasteurized honey – 1 tbsp
• Tulsi leaves – a handful

Method:

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

How does it strengthen your immune system

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

#3 Ginger and apple cider vinegar soother

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1-inch ginger peeled and grated
• 1 tsp unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp raw honey
• a pinch of cayenne pepper

Method:

Boil water and take off the gas. Add ginger, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Add ACV, honey, and cayenne, mix and sip warm.

How does it strengthen your immune system

Ginger contains chemicals called sesquiterpenes that target cold viruses. Cayenne peppers contain a high amount of capsaicin that suppresses a neuropeptide involved in inflammatory processes. ACV contains beneficial bacteria and prebiotics that can have a positive impact on immune health.

#4 Immune boosting green juice

Ingredients: 

• Coriander leaves – 1 cup
• Mint leaves – 1 cup
• Baby spinach – 1 cup
• Apple or pear – 1
• Cucumber – 1 cup chopped
• Lemon – 2 tbsp
• Black salt – a pinch

Method:

Blend all ingredients adding a cup of water. Consume immediately.

How does it strengthen your immune system

This juice is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folic acid and other antioxidants that prevent inflammation and help the body fight infections.

#5 Golden milk

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk
• ½ cup light coconut milk
• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tsp Haldi powder (turmeric) or fresh grated turmeric
• ½ tsp ginger, ground
• ½ tsp black pepper powder
• 1-inch piece of cinnamon

Method:

• Combine all the ingredients in a pan except the honey.
• Heat the mixture on the stove over a low flame for 5-10 minutes. Do not boil. 
• Remove from flame, strain and add honey to taste. 

How does it strengthen your immune system

The active ingredient, curcumin, found in turmeric boosts the body’s antioxidant capacity by being highly effective against free radicals. The spices and the nut milks which provide good fats have an anti-inflammatory action on the body.

#6 Hot lemonade

Ingredients:

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

Method:

Boil the 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.

How does it strengthen your immune system

Ginger and garlic contain antimicrobial compounds that help in treating infectious diseases. The antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help lower your risk of disease.

#7 Evergreen Smoothie

Ingredients:

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

Method:

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

How does it strengthen your immune system

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.

#8 Spiced pumpkin soup

Ingredients:

• 3 cups red pumpkin cubes
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• garlic 1 tsp chopped
• cinnamon powder 1/2 tsp
• nutmeg powder 1/4 tsp
• jeera powder 1/2 tsp
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp dried thyme or oregano
• 1 cup thin coconut milk

Method:

• Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the onions, garlic and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute.
• Add pumpkin and sauté on a medium flame for 3 minutes.
• Add 4 cups of hot water, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cover with a lid and cook on a medium flame for 10 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
• Remove from the flame and keep aside to cool. Once cooled, blend in a mixer till smooth.
• Transfer the mixture back into the same deep pan, add the spices and herbs and coconut milk, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve hot.

How does it strengthen your immune system

Pumpkin is rich in beta carotene which is a great immunity booster and protects the body from free radical damage. Cinnamon and nutmeg fight inflammation, help ward off infections and heal damaged tissue. Coconut milk contains lauric acid that is known for its antiseptic properties

#9 Tomato Rasam

Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes chopped
• Garlic cloves 3 sliced
• Tur dal 1 tbsp
• Tamarind 1 lemon sized ball
• Cumin seeds 1 tsp
• Black peppercorns 1 tsp
• Asafoetida 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves 2 sprigs
• Coriander leaves – 1 tbsp
• Salt to taste

For tempering – 

• coconut oil 1 tsp
• mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• turmeric powder 1 tsp
• curry leaves 1 sprig
• dry red chili – 1

Method:

• In a pressure cooker, boil chopped tomatoes, tur dal, tamarind, curry leaves and 2 cups of water for 2 whistles. Cool and blend in a mixer, straining if needed to remove the tomato seeds and skin. Add the mix to a pan and boil again.
• Coarsely grind the cumin seeds, peppercorns, and asafoetida. Add to the tomato mix and boil for 5 minutes. Add salt to taste.
• Heat oil in a small pan and add the tempering ingredients. Once they splutter, pour in the tomato mix and add the coriander leaves. Have this tangy rasam as a soup before meals or mid meals.

How does it strengthen your immune system

Tomatoes provide the three major antioxidant vitamins: beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E which protect cells from damage. Coconut oil contains lauric acid and caprylic acid, which can easily fight off the bacteria and viruses that can cause harmful diseases.

Summary

These easy-to-prepare home-made drinks will not only keep you fit but also strengthen your overall immune system. Making juices and nutritional drinks with ingredients that are easily available at home are one of the best ways to stay healthy. This way you get all the nutrients and vitamins required by your body all at the comfort of your home. Therefore, we urge you to try out these nutrient-filled recipes and let us know which ones you loved the most!