Amid the crisis of coronavirus, the whole world has acknowledged the efforts of nurses as a frontline worker and has appreciated the difficulty that nurses face while doing their job. Nurses are not only exposed to such life-threatening or ailing conditions during outbreaks like COVID 19, but the risk of getting infection comes in the nursing profession with a 24X7 tag. So, nurses must have a strong immune system. Nurses most of the time follow a proper routine and diet to keep a check on the hospital-acquired infection but isn’t it good to get an extra immunity booster that you don’t have to chew and the best part is that you don’t have to prepare with a lot of effort. Yes, you read it correctly that you don’t have to spend an extra hour from your hectic schedule to prepare because, as a nurse myself I know that we want something less cumbersome but still effective. So here I am sharing the five most effective and very simple drinks recipes that can help you to have an intact immune system.
Lemon honey ginger turmeric decoction
Ingredients for one cup
Ginger – ½ inch
Honey – 1 teaspoon (you can have more as per your taste)
Turmeric – 2-3 pinch
Lemon- one teaspoon
Water- slightly more than one cup as it tends to decrease after boiling
Method of preparation
Wash, peel and grate the ginger slice, you can also cut in small pieces, boil water and add grated ginger with turmeric to the boiling water. Let it boil for 3-5 minutes and pour in a cup with help of a strainer. Add honey and lemon. Stir and, voila your little cup of health is ready.
Tulsi, munakka (raisin) and ginger concoction
Ingredients for one cup
Ginger – 1 inch (peeled, sliced in small pieces or grated)
Black pepper powder – ¼ teaspoon
Cardamom powder – ½ teaspoon
Tulsi (holy basil) – 4-5 leaves
Munakka (raisin) – 3-4
Honey- 1 teaspoon
Water- 1½ cup
Method of preparation
In a pan add water, and all the ingredients except honey, let the mixture boil for 15 minutes before turning off the flame. Strain the concoction, let it cool, add honey, and enjoy the drink.
Liquorice and cloves tea
Ingredients for one cup
Cinnamon powder- ½ Teaspoon
Liquorice root (mulethi) – 1-2 inch
cloves – 3-4 pieces
Tulsi – 4-5 leaves
Fresh mint- 6-10 leaves
Water- 1½ cup
Method of preparation
In a kettle or pan put all the ingredients, pour boiling water over the ingredients, and cover with a lid. Let the ingredients soak in water for 5 minutes. Pour the drink in a cup using a strainer. You can have this by adding honey as per your taste or can take it plain.
Apple cider vinegar and lemon tea
Ingredients for one cup
Apple cider vinegar- 2 Teaspoon
Ginger – 1-2 inch (grated)
Cinnamon powder – 2 pinch
Lemon juice- 1 teaspoon
Hot Water- 1 cup
Honey- 1 teaspoon (optional based on your taste need)
Method of preparation
In a cup put all ingredients, pour hot water over the ingredients. Stir and mix the content well, strain the mixture and pour the drink in a cup.
Garlic and ginger tea
Ingredients for one cup
Ginger – 1-2 inch (washed, peeled and grated or sliced in small pieces)
Garlic – 1-2 cloves ( peeled and grated or crushed)
Black pepper- 2-3 pinches
Hot Water- 1 cup
Honey- 1 teaspoon (optional based on your taste needs)
Method of preparation
In a pan take ginger, garlic, and black pepper, pour hot water, stir and mix the contents, let the mixture steep for 5 minutes then pour in a cup using a strainer. Your drink is ready.
Benefits of different ingredients used in recipe
Turmeric
Turmeric is used throughout history to treat infections. The main content present in turmeric is known as curcumin works as a wonder in the healing process. Turmeric cleanses the respiratory tract and works as an anti-inflammatory agent which in turn helps in reducing the impact of cold and cough and boosts immunity.
Ginger
It is well known for its anti-oxidative properties. It protects the body from harmful effects of the oxidation process and works as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that collectively improves the immunity.
Liquorice/Mulethi
It works as an amazing immunity booster by producing macrophages and lymphocytes with the help enzymes present in it. It protects against infection, pollutants, and allergens. It also works as a bronchodilator that cures sore throat.
Munakka/Raisin
Raisin works as an antioxidant that improves immunity. It also works as a detoxifying agent that improves liver functioning and leads to the easy removal of pathogens and toxic agents from the body.
Apple Cider Vinegar
It boosts immunity in many ways. First, it has antibacterial properties that help in fighting the pathogens. Second, it contains bacteria and prebiotics because of the fermentation process which affects the immune system positively. Third, it works as a detoxifying agent which helps the body to get rid of pathogens fast.
Cinnamon
Its antimicrobial properties help in keeping nasty pathogens at bay and anti-inflammatory property keeps a check on the unnecessary inflammatory reaction which can hinder the immune response.
Garlic
Garlic works as a stimulator and enhances the process of producing macrophages, lymphocytes, and natural killer cells.
Lemon
It consists of vitamin C which has anti-oxidative properties and has antimicrobial functions that aids in preventing bacterial growth and keeps infection on a check.
Honey and Black Pepper
They both consist of antioxidants that help in the removal of free radicals from the body and they both have antimicrobial properties that prevent bacterial growth in the body hence both play a key role in boosting immunity.
Mint
It soothes the pain associated with flu-like symptoms and works as an immunity booster with the help of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Tulsi
It is known for its anti-modulatory properties which means that it helps in improving the immune system functions. It also controls cortisol level that harms the immune system.
A nurse is at risk of getting an infection while caring for the patients hence, a strong immune system is important for a nurse. Intake of tea having immunity-boosting ingredients can strengthen a nurse’s immune system without compromising the taste.
