Herbal teas have been used as natural remedies for a variety of ailments for hundreds of years. These herbal decoctions/teas/ Kashayas are prepared by boiling medicinal herbs. How magical it feels to know that nature has hidden all the medicines in its elements. The best way to heal is to heal naturally by making use of everything nature has provided us abundantly that is organically available around us. No wonder, these herbs have potions of healing power residing in them! These teas help you fight not just the trending coronavirus but any viruses in the world as they prepare your body building strong immunity from within.

Here are my top picks of teas that offers you super power in the form of immunity.

Note: Consume any one of these teas three times in a day, 1 hour before every meal. Do not consume same tea for more than a week rather switch to different tea or you can also have different tea each day.

Disclaimer: Please know I am not a medical professional, everything presented here is based on intensive research and personal experience.

1. Neem tea

Neem is a wonder herb for immune health. Neem leaf is an essential ingredient in many ayurvedic remedies. Neem is just about anti everything, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti what not! Having neem tea is a sure shot way of ramping up your immunity!

Ingredients:

• 4 – 5 neem leaves
• 1 cup water

Method:

Add neem leaves to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins and serve.

Note: One shouldn’t take neem during pregnancy, as it produces more heat in the body.

2. Tulsi tea (Holy Basil)

Tulsi is an important herb in ayurvedic medicine that has been used for centuries to cure symptoms of various diseases and ailments that also includes cold, cough and fever. Tulsi is an antiviral, antibacterial, packed with disease fighting antioxidants hence it is called “The Queen of Herbs,” and is revered as an “elixir of life” in ayurveda.

Ingredients:

• 12 – 15 tulsi leaves
• 1 cup water

Method:

Add tulsi leaves to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins and serve.

3. Bilva leaves tea (Wood Apple/ Bael)

Bilva tree is an indigenous tree to India and is considered to be the most sacred tree that is of spiritual importance. Bilva leaf extracts are helpful in increasing immunity and is effective against seasonal diseases like cough, cold and fever. They have antioxidant properties and are anti-inflammatory in nature and hence it is highly effective in both chronic and acute inflammation.

Ingredients:

• 10 – 12 bilva leaves
• 1 cup water

Method:

Add bilva leaves to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins and serve.

4. Peepal leaves tea (Sacred fig)

Peepal tree is worshiped since the dawn of civilization and is of immense importance in ayurveda. It’s antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anticoagulant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties have made it a popular herbal tree and all its parts are placed as important ingredient in modern pharmacological industry.

Ingredients:

• 4 – 6 peepal leaves
• 1 cup water

Method:

Add peepal leaves to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins and serve.

5. Indian beech leaves tea (Pongamia Pinnata)

Native to Indian subcontinent, for centuries, Indian beech has found it’s application in the traditional ayurvedic system of medicine. It’s uses includes anti-ulcer, antidiarrhoeal, anti-plasmodial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and so on.

Ingredients:

• 4 – 6 beech leaves
• 1 cup water

Method:

Add beech leaves to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins and serve.

6. Bermuda grass tea (Durva grass)

Bermuda grass is an herb extensively used in Indian ayurvedic system of medicine. The antiviral and anti-microbial activity of bermuda grass aids in enhancing the immune health and fighting against various diseases. It consists of bio-chemical compound called cynodon dactylon protein fractions (cdpf), which helps to boost immunity of the body.

Ingredients:

• Half handful bermuda grass leaves
• 1 cup water

Method:

Add Bermuda grass leaves to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins and serve.

7. Ginger Lemon Mint tea

Ginger is a powerful antiviral. When it comes to fighting cold and flu, there is no match to what ginger can offer. Mint is a rich source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps in alleviating breathing disorders too. Lemon is a good source of vitamin C which enhances immune system. This simple decoction is classic.

Ingredients:

• 1 inch fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 10 mint leaves
• 1 cup water
• 1 tea spoon honey (optional)

Method:

Add grated/crushed ginger, mint leaves to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins, mix lemon juice and serve.

8. Turmeric Pepper tea

Turmeric contains curcumin compounds which helps to fight any inflammation. Curcumin helps in boosting up the immunity and helps to fight against viral replication. Black pepper, which contains piperine, is a chemical known to help promote curcumin absorption, is high in antioxidants and has anti inflammatory properties.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper powder
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Method:

Add turmeric powder, pepper powder to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins, mix lemon juice and serve.

9. Ashwagandha tea

The ashwagandha plant, one of the most powerful herbs in ayurvedic medicine, has been used since ancient times for a wide variety of conditions. Ashwagandha improves the body’s defense against disease by improving the cell-mediated immunity. It is an adaptogenic, meaning it can adapt to your body’s needs by balancing out levels, such as hormones and immune cells, to create stability in the body and support our immune system. 

Ingredients:

• 1 tea spoon ashwagandha powder
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Method:

Add ashwagandha powder to a cup of water and bring to boil for 4-5 mins. Allow it to steep for 10 mins and serve.

10. Thyme tea

Thyme is an incredible antiviral herb that helps in knocking down the viral load through out the body. It’s a fantastic tool for helping to heal from symptoms and conditions caused by viruses. Thyme is packed with vitamin C, and has anti-inflammatory effects and also supports the formation of white blood cells, thereby boosting the immune system.

Ingredients:

• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 cup hot water
• Fresh lemon and / or raw honey (optional)

Method:

Place fresh thyme in a mug and pour hot water over, allow to steep for 15 mins or more. Remove thyme sprigs. Sweeten with raw honey and/ or lemon.