Your body is full of unbelievable safety mechanisms and your immune system is the first line of defense. As soon as a foreign particle enters your body, it starts working on the counter measures. Your immune system has the ability to fend off common viruses like cough, cold and, flu. And if taken care properly, you can even reduce the symptoms of deadly viruses like COVID.
So, what makes your immune system stronger?
Every strengthening process works inside out. Especially when you are targeting your immune system that relies on the nutrients present in the body. You should monitor your diet and add some vitamin C, E, iron, and zinc. Well, every nutritious food is not kind on your taste buds.
In this article, we have prepare 5 different types of immunity drinks you can prepare at home. Even if you prefer water-based cold drinks or milk-based hot drinks, we have got you covered.
Let’s get started:
1: Water-based Drinks
In summers, water-based drinks are the most preferred source of nutrients. They are light, easy to make, and refreshing.
Honey Lemonade
It doesn’t sound much but a warm honey lemonade can do wonders for you. Its rich flavors will bless your taste buds and nutrients will support your immune system. Lemons are citric, therefore, rich in vitamin C. On the other hand, honey benefits with its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties. You can start your day with this refreshing and easy-to-make immunity boosting drink.
Infused Water
Some things don’t require any extra efforts. You can support your immune system just by increasing water intake and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol. To add some more nutritional value to your water, you can infuse it with citrus fruits, cucumber or berries. It will add flavor to the drink and contribute to its nutritional value.
Ginger Tea
Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. You can consume it as tea or just infuse it in your water. Either way it can greatly benefit your immune system. Ginger is one of the most effective traditional medicine. Today, modern science supports its benefits on our immune system.
Green Tea
You might have heard that green tea helps with weight loss and blood sugar level regulation. In addition to that, it also protects us from oxidants and radicals. Green tea consists of EGCC i.e a powerful antioxidant that protects our body cells.
Ajwain Tea
Ajwain seeds are an effective remedy against cold and cough. You can prepare an Ajwain tea by boiling carom seeds in water along with basil leaves, black pepper, and honey. It will provide a kick to your throat but its effectiveness makes it worth the effort.
Kadha
Kadha has always been a go to drink for Indian moms. She might have forced down a couple of cups but let me tell you she was right to do so. It’s time to understand that homemade kadha is an excellent immunity booster. And its easy to make. All you have to do is to add kitchen ingredients like cloves, cinnamon, carom seeds, black pepper, basil leaves, and turmeric in water and boil it. There you have a reliable herbal concoction for your immunity.
2: Milk-based Drinks
You can also take milk-based drinks for added texture. They are not as light as water based drinks but using milk adds up to their effectiveness.
Turmeric Milk
Indian households think very highly of turmeric. Even if its an open wound or body pain, turmeric works perfectly. It is a scientifically backed fact that turmeric can lower the risk of infection and diseases. It’s anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties make it a multipurpose home remedy. It is an excellent immunity booster for season change.
Kesar Milk
Kesar is one of the most expensive and rare spice in India. Getting a few kesar strands can cost you thousands of rupees. However, its health benefits outweighs its high cost. People pay large sum to get their hands on pure kesar. So, what makes it so valuable? Kesar is rich in antioxidants. Regulatory consumption of kesar milk will support digestion and immunity. It can also give you glowing skin and vitality.
Anjeer Milk
Anjeer is a fibre rich nutritional fruit that is full of antioxidants. It works really well against fungal and bacterial agents. Anjeer milk is one of the best ways to consume Anjeer. To prepare your anjeer milk, you have to soak it overnight and mix its paste in warm milk.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a great immunity booster. It is available as a ready to consume plant-based milk in the market. All you have to do is to prepare it further to enhance its immunity boosting properties. Add a little ginger, pepper and honey to it. It will add more nutrients and flavor to it.
Dry Fruit Milk
Dry fruits are a densely nutritious source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Preparing a dry fruit milk can give the goodness of multiple dry fruits in a single drink. You can use almonds, walnuts, figs, dates, etc to prepare your immunity boosting drink.
3: Immunity Boosting Juices
When it comes to healthy drinks, the first thing that comes to our mind is juice. Juices without preservatives and sugar are very effective against common infections. You can not really cure your infection by a juice but you can prevent it by increasing your immunity.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is a very popular immunity boosting drink worldwide. In addition to its tangy flavor, it also offers a good amount of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Not only orange but any citrus rich fruit like lemon, grapefruit can boost your immune system. Citric rich juice will keep you safe from viral infections and improve your overall health.
Tomato Juice
Tomato juice is a great drink choice for cleansing your skin, blood, and gut. You can find all 3 major antioxidants in tomatoes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Beta Carotene. Collectively, they work as a perfect protection from free radicals. Tomato juice are not for everyone but they provide great health benefits.
Watermelon Juice
During summers, a glass of watermelon juice is very refreshing. It is a drink that people look forward to after a hot day. Well, there are plenty of reasons to have watermelon juice. It is a rich source of vitamin A, C, magnesium and zinc. It will cleanse your immune system and relax your muscles.
Beet and Carrot Juice
Inflammation is one of the first symptoms you will face when your immune system triggers its protective mechanism. Beet and Carrot juice will help you with inflammation. Beet and carrot collectively offers Vitamin A,C, E, iron and calcium.
Kiwi and Strawberry Juice
Kiwi is a great antioxidant and combining it with another antioxidant like strawberry can enhance your immunity to a great extent. They are also very rich vitamin C sources, which further adds to its immune health benefits. It is hard to extract juice out of these fruits. Therefore, you should stick to a thicker version of it.
4: Immunity Boosting Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to get the best out of your fruits. Unlike juices, they also contain fruit pulp, making the drink thicker and fulfilling. Adding the right ingredients can make them a great immunity boosting drink.
Kale and Spinach Smoothie
Adding more greens is a great way to improve your overall health. Spinach and Kale offers great immunity benefits. To deal with the flavor, you can add some natural sweeteners like kiwi and dates. Rich with the greatness of green veggies, this drink packs a flavor punch.
Mango and Ginger Smoothie
If you need something to bless your taste buds, mango-ginger smoothie is your go to drink. Sweetness of mangoes and spicy touch of freshly chopped garlic will explode a rainbow of flavors in your mouth. Use red lentils, little carrot juice, and honey for added health benefits.
Berry and Flax seed Smoothie
Adding the goodness of flax seeds with the frozen berries and yogurt can give you a great immunity booster drink. Omega-3 fats will improve your heart health, which in turn contributes to good immunity. You can use a mixture of berries to personalize the flavor of the drink.
Banana and Peanut butter Smoothie
Banana and peanut butter are a popular combo for its flavor and health benefits. You can also add plain kefir for its probiotic-rich composition and tangy flavor. Spinach can also be a great add on in your banana and peanut butter smoothie.
5: Herbal Concoctions
As an Indian, it would be a shame to ignore our centuries old herbal concoctions that are effective in every aspect of medicine. We have 3 handpicked combinations for health immunity:
Ginger and Apple Cider Vinegar
For this immunity boosting drink, all you need is ginger, turmeric, apple cider vinegar and honey. Boil ginger and turmeric in water for around 10 minutes. Once the concoction cools down, add apple cider vinegar and honey to it. This immunity drink offers anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-septic properties. ACV promotes good gut health and turmeric increases white blood cells. All in all, it is the perfect immunity boosting drink for you.
Ajwain and Tulsi
Another good drink to immune health is this booster combination of ajwain seeds, tulsi, and black pepper. It also has a similar recipe. Boil ajwain/carom seeds, tulsi/basil leaves, and black pepper powder for 5 minutes. Once ready, cool down the concoction and mix honey to it. By adding tulsi and black pepper to ajwain we are adding extra benefits to already powerful ajwain tea. It is a immunity boosting drink that can provide instant relief from severe cold and cough.
Giloy and Lemon Juice
Giloy juice is packed with antioxidants. It can also prevent urinary tract infections and liver diseases. Adding it with lemon juice, tulsi, and ginger improves the taste as well as immunity boosting properties. You can store the partially prepared mixture in a glass bottle. All you have to do is to boil tulsi, cloves, and ginger in water and store it. Add giloy juice and lemon juice prior to drinking.
Conclusion
To get the best out of these immunity boosting drinks, you should also make some lifestyle changes. Good sleep, exercise, and hydrating yourself are as important as consuming an immunity drink. This article is filled with drinks featuring different texture, flavor, and nutritional benefits. You can choose what suits your body and find a tastier way to stay healthy.
