I am sharing two of my best homemade immunity booster drink recipes that are a perfect replacement for your regular coffee and tea.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor a dietician. I just follow some ayurvedic remedies that have been passed on to us by our grandmothers. This drink is not a cure for COVID-19, nor is there any such drink to my knowledge. Social distancing, vaccination, and proper hygiene practices such as sanitizing and wearing a mask are the only known preventive measures from COVID-19.
What is a Kadha drink or Immunity booster drink?
Kadha, or Immunity booster drink, or Kashayam, is a traditional Indian drink loaded with herbs and spices. Kadha or Kashayam is rich in antioxidants, has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, and is considered one of the best ayurvedic homemade remedies against fever, flu, cold, cough, or throat infection.
What are the ingredients used to make Kadha drink or Immunity boosting drinks?
Common ingredients include ginger, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, cardamom, turmeric, and herbs like basil, tulsi, or pudina (mint). You can follow the steps and make your favorite combo drink. I would recommend using spices in moderation as consuming more than required may cause heartburn.
What is the best time to have an immunity-boosting drink?
Earlier, kadha drink was consumed during winter days because changing weather would drop your immunity levels and thus make you prone to cold and cough. But now, with the ongoing pandemic, I see that kadha or kashayam has become an important part of our daily diet.
The most preferred and the best time to drink kashaya is on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. But if for some reason, you are not able to drink kadha early morning, you can consume it before a meal or before going to bed at night.
Try to drink kadha or kashaya at least once in a week or 15 days.
Few tips before you make kadha or immunity booster drinks
Like I always say, freshly ground or crushed ingredients make your drink more aromatic. So crush the spices just before you are ready to prepare the drink if possible.
For additional and natural flavor, I have used fresh ginger and fresh turmeric root. But if you are not able to find one, feel free to substitute it with powders.
Adjust all the spices to your taste.
Immunity Boosting Drink or Kadha or Kashaya I
Ingredients for Fresh Ginger Turmeric Mint Tea
2 Cinnamon sticks (1 inch)
1 Bay leaf
3 Cloves
1 tablespoon Ginger, chopped
2 tablespoon Mint leaves (Pudina)
2-inch Fresh Turmeric fingers, slices (or ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder)
Juice of ½ lemon
Honey, as needed
3 cups Water
How to make Fresh Ginger Turmeric Mint Tea?
In a pan on medium heat, add 3 cups of water. Add cinnamon sticks, bay leaf, cloves, ginger, mint leaves, and fresh turmeric, bring it to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Transfer it to a glass through a tea strainer. Add the juice of lemon and honey as needed, and stir. Drink hot or warm and enjoy.
Immunity Boosting Drink or Kadha or Kashaya II
Ingredients for Spiced Tea or Panakam or Kashaya
1 tablespoon Peppercorns
2 Cinnamon sticks ( 1 inch)
6 Green Cardamom pods
4 Cloves
2 tablespoon Ginger, chopped
1 Bay leaf
¼ cup Jaggery
3 cups Water
Juice of ½ lemon
How to make Spiced Tea or Panakam or Kashaya?
In a mortar & pestle, add peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and cloves and crush them to form a coarse powder.
In a pan on medium heat, add 3 cups of water, crushed spices, ginger, bay leaf, and jaggery, and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes so that the flavors are infused.
Transfer it to a glass through a tea strainer. Squeeze lemon juice as needed.
Serve hot or warm, and enjoy.
How to store immunity booster drink or kadha?
You can prepare a large batch of kadha, strain it into an air-tight bottle, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 or 3 days. Just warm as much as needed and consume.
Video recipe for Homemade Immunity booster drink, Indian kadha recipe or winter drink recipes
Detailed recipe for Homemade Immunity Booster Drinks or Kadha Recipe or Kashayam
Recipe card
Homemade Immunity Booster Drinks | Kadha Recipe | Kashaya | Kashayam
Ingredients
Fresh Turmeric Ginger Mint Tea
- 2 Cinnamon sticks (1 inch)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 3 Cloves
- 1 tablespoon Ginger , chopped
- 2 tablespoon Mint leaves (Pudina)
- 2 inch Fresh Turmeric finger , slices (or ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Honey , as needed
- 3 cups Water
Spiced Tea or Panakam or Kashaya
- 1 tablespoon Peppercorns
- 2 Cinnamon sticks (1 inch)
- 6 pods Green cardamom
- 4 Cloves
- 2 tablespoon Ginger , chopped
- 1 Bay leaf
- ¼ cup Jaggery
- 3 cups Water
- Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
How to make Fresh Ginger Turmeric Mint Tea?
- In a pan on medium heat, add 3 cups of water. Add cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, ginger, mint leaves, and fresh turmeric, bring it to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.2 Cinnamon sticks, 1 Bay leaf, 3 Cloves, 1 tablespoon Ginger, 2 tablespoon Mint leaves, 2 inch Fresh Turmeric finger, 3 cups Water
- Transfer it to a glass through a tea strainer. Add the juice of lemon and honey as needed, and stir. Drink hot or warm and enjoy. Check out the video here.Juice of ½ lemon, Honey
How to make Spiced Tea or Panakam or Kashaya?
- In a mortar & pestle, add peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and crush them to form a coarse powder.1 tablespoon Peppercorns, 2 Cinnamon sticks, 6 pods Green cardamom, 4 Cloves
- In a pan on medium heat, add 3 cups of water, crushed spices, ginger, bay leaf, jaggery, and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes so that the flavors are infused.2 tablespoon Ginger, 1 Bay leaf, 3 cups Water, ¼ cup Jaggery
- Transfer it to a glass through a tea strainer. Squeeze lemon juice as needed. Serve hot or warm, and enjoy.Juice of ½ lemon
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