From the warming qualities of licorice and cinnamon to the defence-builders of ginger, turmeric and lemon, we’ve paired some amazing ingredients with Tulsi, Ayurveda’s Queen of Herbs, giving your immune system an extra boost when it needs it the most. These powerful ingredients come together in 6 delicious, certified organic teas packed with antioxidant-rich, immune-supporting, anti-inflammatory qualities that will promote overall health & wellbeing during the cold & flu season.
Here are 6 Immunity-Boosting Teas as the season shifts towards colder days:
TULSI CINNAMON ROSE TEA
A delicate blend of Rama, Krishna and Vana Tulsi with Cinnamon, Cardamom, Rose Petals and Cassia make a harmonious, healing combination which inspires the senses. Made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree, cinnamon has a plethora of antioxidants in the form of polyphenols making it worthy of its ‘superfood’ status. This culinary spice is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight infection and can be used in combination with ginger or garlic to lessen cold or flu symptoms. It has a pleasant, warming quality that can help to stimulate circulation and offer relief to aching joints, a common symptom with colds and influenza. With a lovely touch of sweetness, this infusion will warm you.
TULSI GINGER TEA
This uplifting combination of Ginger and Tulsi including Rama, Krishna and Vana stimulates the senses, providing an exciting yet relaxing blend. This exotic flavour combination will not only bring transformative energy and calm, but is great for digestion. Gingerols and shaogals in the ginger root are highly potent antioxidant compounds that can fight the bacteria associated with rhinoviruses (the ones most commonly associated with colds). Ginger also contains antihistamine and decongestant qualities that can clear a stuffy nose and ease a congested chest. Flu sufferers will benefit from ginger’s ability to cleanse systems and lower temperatures (commonly experienced with the flu).
TULSI LEMON GINGER TEA
The excitement of pungent ginger, accented with fresh lemon, is complemented by Tulsi’s spicy flavour and transformative energy. Lemon is jam-packed with Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, and is known to support the body’s immune system, creating antioxidants which attack illness-causing free radicals. Not to mention that ginger is high in antioxidants. This blend is perfect for curling up with when you are feeling run down.
This exotic flavour combination will awaken your senses and is great for digestion too!
TULSI LICORICE SPICE TEA
Licorice, known as the great harmoniser in Chinese medicine, brings its soothing sweet character to India’s legendary sacred herb, Tulsi. The delightful combination produces a warming tea with flavour notes of spicy cinnamon, ginger and lemon. Licorice is anti-inflammatory with a soothing and protective effect on mucous membranes in the respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts. Also, licorice can help clear excess mucus from the lungs, making it great for coughs.
TULSI ORIGINAL TEA
Three sacred varieties of Tulsi with restorative powers are blended to create this deliciously calming, yet energising infusion of Tulsi Original tea. With hints of lemon and citrus from Vana Tulsi, the slightly spicy tones of Krishna Tulsi and the calm depth of Rama Tulsi this tea infusion will help relieve stress and uplift your mood.
The entire ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi range offer immune-enhancing benefits, as Holy Basil has known anti-bacterial & anti-viral properties. This makes it handy now as colds & flus spread more enthusiastically during cooler weather. Tulsi’s bundle of antioxidants can protect against free radical formation, thus protecting & maintaining healthy, vital cells. As an adaptogen, Tulsi can also assist your body, mind and spirit to cope with any infectious stressors that may try to invade your system.
TULSI TURMERIC GINGER TEA
This robust blend of Tulsi’s adaptogenic and antioxidant qualities combined with Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon and spices offers a boost to the body’s natural immune and inflammation response systems, while stimulating natural detoxification. Currently claiming a lot of praise in the medical world, turmeric, the yellow spice often used in Indian food, has many health-enhancing properties. It’s actually the compound in turmeric called curcumin that is responsible for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Clever old curcumin aids the body’s electrons, creating antioxidants to fight bacteria and disease. Studies show that curcumin can prohibit 90% of viral replication in cells infected with influenza. So impressed are scientists with curcumin’s bug-busting abilities that it is being considered as an affordable, but highly effective, weapon to contain flu pandemics.
And while talk of turmeric’s rightful place in our medicine cupboard is fairly new, it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, in particular for the treatment of respiratory infections.
