Stop making all those funny faces and ‘beta karhapii lo!’ isn’t that what every mommy is saying these days?
Moms are never wrong and so are homemade immunity boosters, more popularly known as ‘karha’ in India.
These immunity boosters are made up of different spices and natural ingredients with various medicinal benefits. They might not be so delicious but the good they do to your body and your immunity system is rather remarkable.
So, it’s that time of the year when colds, infections and fever are in full force, and not to mention about the deadly virus Covid 19!
Without any delay...let’s check out few of these homemade immunity boosters to help you cope with the season and the pandemic;
Ginger Crusher
Ginger has a lot of medicinal benefits from healing a sore throat, to fever to even an upset stomach. It also has this amazing quality of dispersing body heat and at the same time a cooling effect as well. So many benefits from one root!
So for this immunity booster you’ll need;
- 1 cup warm water (not boiling)
- 1 teaspoon crushed ginger
- Leave this ginger in the water for about 2 minutes.
- Mix 3 teaspoon of lemon juice (vitamin C)
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
In case you want to sweeten your booster a bit, then you can add a little maple syrup.
You can make this booster in bulk for a week and store it in the fridge. Just warm a cup first thing in the morning and take your shot!
Let’s Go Green
Know one thing for sure! If there is green in your food or your drink...then it’s surely good! Green vegetables and fruits are packed with vitamins and they keep the immune system super strong. This following booster is low on sugar because sugar tends to weaken the immune system. Let’s check it out!
You’ll need;
- 1 handful of coriander
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 green apple
- 1 lemon
- 1 cucumber
- 1 teaspoon crushed ginger
- Pinch of salt
Take all the ingredients and blend it in a juicer and just gulp it down! Coriander isn’t just a perfect garnish but it is also a herb full of vitamin C and chlorophyll. It has been proven to fight allergies and different types of illness
Garlic Goodness
Garlic has been a common cure since ages. It is a powerful immunity booster that has been used in various cures from cold to cancer. The dicey part in this booster is that, you need to chew and entire clove raw! Please excuse us for a quick mint gurgle!
However, make sure you never heat garlic before consuming because that will take away all its benefits. Its okay if you’re using it just for flavour but hey! We’re talking about its immunity boosting super power here!
So here’s what you need to do...this is a little unique from the rest of the shots!
Take 2-3 cloves of garlic. Clean them up and sprinkle some salt. Crush it altogether and leave it to rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps in allowing the enzymes to activate.
Now just swallow it up like a real shot!
If the shot is too much for you then you can even spread this over a toasted bread. Sort of garlic bread! Eh? ;)
Turmeric Latte
...or maybe the regular ‘haldiwaladoodh!’ We give you the ancient recipe but with a twist. Turmeric has been considered as one of the most powerful herb on the planet. From skin to immunity to digestion...turmeric is that one hero of an ingredient that manages to sort it all! In recent times, turmeric has also been used in medicines used to treat cancer.
Here’s what you’ll need;
- 1 cup water or brewed ginger water
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon turmeric tea mix ( 3 tablespoonturmeric powder, 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoon ground pepper) – you can store this tea mixture in an air tight container in the fridge.
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (but we’d avoid this and use a natural sweetener if at all needed)
Now, you can combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and whisk over low heat until warm and combined well. Your turmeric latte is now ready!
Mom’s Shooter Booster
This recipe could be as old as you are! Indian spices have a unique dual property to give flavour as well as treatment. And moms know best in this regard and hence the name of this immunity booster shot. Let’s check out what you’ll need...
- 2-3 cloves
- 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon (a piece of bark will do as well)
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon jaggery
- 2-3 basil leaves or Tulsi
- 1 tablespoon lemon
- ½ cup water
- Pinch of salt
- Half cup water
Take all the ingredients in a mixer blender and blend well. Heat this up on a saucepan and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Once done, remove it from the heat and let it cool until lukewarm. Let’s do some shots now!
Give me another booster shot please! You wanted four more...we gave you five!