Health In A Teacup

In today’s fast life, we look for fast results. Gone are the days when a headache, fever or common cold would be left to heal naturally by taking its own course, or by the humble home remedies made out of herbs and oils. Today we bid goodbye to all such problems in a moment by popping a pill! But have you ever wondered about  the impact of taking so much medicine on our bodies and immune systems? Pills give us instant relief alright, but may have their side-effects and perils as well.

In our home, some of those time-tested home remedies for some common ailments are still used, passed on to my parents by their parents and grandparents. These are not necessarily medicines, but give relief to the body, calm the mind. One such ‘health drink’ is your modest cup of tea – combined with various herbs and spices to rejuvenate the body, remove stress, aches and pains. I am sharing some of the tea recipes below (you may consult your physician before consuming):

Ginger Tea – Known to heal  sore throat, muscle aches and pains, upset stomach, common cold and respiratory problems

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Peel a small piece of ginger and crush/grate it (in a hand grater). Add the ginger to the boiling tea water. Cover it and simmer for a few minutes. Strain the tea. Add sugar and milk (or honey and lemon as a healthier option) to taste. Drink piping hot!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Cardamom Tea – Known to heal indigestion, nausea, vomiting

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Crush 2-3 pods of cardamom (or use 1/2 tsp ground cardamom) for 1 cup of tea. Add the cardamom to the boiling tea water. Cover it and simmer for a few minutes. Strain the tea. Add sugar and milk to taste. Drink hot and enjoy the fine aroma!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Black Pepper Tea – Known to heal cough and sore throat

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Crush 4-5 black pepper seeds (or use 1/2 tsp ground black pepper) for 1 cup of tea. Add the pepper powder to the boiling tea water. Cover it and simmer for a few minutes. Strain the tea. Add sugar and milk (or honey and lemon as a healthier option) to taste. Enjoy hot and soothe yourself!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Bay Leaf Tea – Known to heal pains and digestive disorders

Boil 1 and ½ cups of water in a saucepan. Add 4-5 bay leaves to the boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes. A golden yellow tea is ready (the water would have reduced to about 1 cup by now). Pour this in a cup, add sugar or honey, and sip your relaxing bay leaf tea!

Cinnamon Tea – Known to heal cold and upset stomach

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Drop 1 stick (or 3-4 small pieces if you do not have a single large stick) into the boiling water. Cover it and simmer for a few minutes. Strain the tea. Add sugar and milk to taste. Drink hot!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Lemon Tea – Known to heal cold and flu, helps in reducing acne and skin problems

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Take the juice of ½ a lemon and pour in a cup. Strain the tea and pour it over the lemon juice. Add sugar (or honey as a healthier option), stir till everything mixes completely and enjoy your warm cup of  tea!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Mint Tea  – Known to heal nausea, headaches, stress

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Add about 1 tsp of crushed mint leaves (for 1 cup tea) to the boiling tea water. Cover it and simmer for a few minutes. Strain the tea. Add sugar and milk (or honey and lemon as a healthier option) to taste. Enjoy hot!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Fennel  Tea – Known to heal bad breath, cold, gas and bloated stomach (not for pregnant women)

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Add about 1 tsp of crushed fennel seeds (for 1 cup tea) to the boiling tea water. Cover it and simmer for a few minutes. Strain the tea. Add sugar and milk (or honey and lemon as a healthier option) to taste. Drink piping hot!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Orange  Tea (Iced) – Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, known to aid in cholesterol reduction and improving metabolism

Brew tea leaves in boiling water in a saucepan. Take the juice of ½ an orange (or 2-3 tsps of packed orange juice)  and pour in a cup. Strain the tea and pour it over the orange juice. Add sugar (or honey as a healthier option), stir till everything mixes completely and keep in the fridge for an hour. Serve chilled with an orange ring or twirl for a refreshing cup of iced orange tea!

(If you are using tea bags instead of tea leaves, use only boiling water at the beginning and keep your tea bag in the cup into which you can pour the brew.)

Disclaimer: Consult your physician before consuming any of the above if you have a medical condition. Consuming any of the above in excess may be harmful. The above is meant for adults only.