7 Healthy herbal tea recipes to boost your immune system

For us Indians, tea is not a mere beverage but an emotion that runs high in every household. From a common cold to indigestion, and headache to heartbreak, there is nothing in life that a good old cup of 'chai' can’t fix. So, on that note, here is a selection of some healthy tea recipes that will help you keep infections at bay while providing you with that extra boost of energy to roll with the summer heat without breaking too much of a sweat.

1. Detoxing Haldi Tea

Ingredients:

• 3-4 cups boiling water
• 1-inch fresh ginger root, sliced
• 2 teaspoon ground turmeric (or 1-inch turmeric root)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 2-3 cinnamon sticks) - optional
• 1 green tea bag
• Ground black pepper
• 6 peppercorns- optional
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp.honey

Instructions:

• In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil, add peeled and minced ginger root, turmeric, cinnamon (you may also add cinnamon sticks), peppercorns if desired, and lemon juice.
• Simmer for 10-15 minutes on medium-low heat. Add the tea bag, steep for 3 minutes, and then take out.
• Pour in a tea mug and serve with fresh lemon slices and honey as a sweetener.

2. Coconut Lime Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 2 black tea bags
• 1/2 lime, thinly sliced
• 3 cups coconut water, heated
• raw honey, optional

Instructions:

• Add the black tea bags and sliced lime to a 1-liter mason jar or pitcher.
• Pour heated coconut water into the mason jar, and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Then, remove the tea bags.
• Place into the fridge to completely chill for 3-4 hours for the flavors to release. Serve with fresh lime slices and a dash of honey if desired.

3. Refreshing Mint Tea 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon fresh mint leaves 
• 2 green tea bags
• 2.5 cups water
• powdered jaggery, as per taste

Instructions:

• Wash the mint leaves in water. In a tea pan or tea maker, add water. Add the mint leaves.
• Boil the water for 3-4 minutes till the flavors and aroma of the mint start infusing in the water. Once the water turns completely green, turn off the stove.
• Now add the tea bags in the mint-infused hot water and steep for another 2-3 minutes. Add the jaggery and stir well. 
• Serve your refreshing mint tea and enjoy it with some light tea-time biscuits.

4. Sweet Hibiscus Tea 

Ingredients:

• 8 cups water
• 1 tsp (5ml) dried hibiscus flower leaves
• 5-6 black tea bags 
• ½  cup honey
• To serve: 2 cups ice
• To serve: lemon wedges (optional)

Instructions:

• Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
• Add hibiscus leaves and tea bags, allow to steep for 3 minutes, or to taste.
• Strain out leaves and tea bags, turn off the heat, and pour hibiscus tea into a heat-safe pitcher.
• Add the honey to taste, stirring until fully dissolved. Add 6 cups cold water and refrigerate it for 2-3 hours.
• Pour your rich- in-antioxidant hibiscus tea over ice and serve with an optional lemon wedge for a refreshing twist.

5. Cooling Herbal Tisane Tea 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander
• 1 black tea bag
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel
• 1/4 teaspoon rose petals
• 1 cup boiling water

Instructions:

• Mix the cumin seeds, coriander, fennel, cilantro, rose petals, and tea bag together.
• Add the boiling water. Steep for five minutes, covered. 
• Strain and discard the herbs and spices. Add a dash of honey and serve cool, lukewarm, or at room temperature. Don't serve when hot.

6. Peach Iced Sun Tea

Ingredients:

• 10 tea bags, any kind of tea 
• 8 cups cold water
• Clear pitcher or large jar 
• Fresh peaches - pitted and cut into small pieces
• fresh mint fresh peeled ginger (about 1-inch piece), fresh lemon slices+ 1 cup water

Instructions

• Tie tea bags together to make it easier to remove them from the pitcher.
• Fill pitcher or jar with cold water and place tea bags inside.
• Place pitcher in a sunny or bright spot for at least an hour, until the tea is fairly dark in color
• While tea is brewing, bring 1 cup of water to a boil and add mint, ginger, honey, and fresh lemon slices. Turn off heat, cover, and let steep for at least 30 minutes or until room temperature. Strain, and reserve water. Add this extra cup of flavored water to the pitcher
• To serve, place several pieces of fruit at the bottom of each glass.
• Using a muddler, or a wooden spoon, mash the fruit to release the juice.
• Pour the brewed tea over some ice cubes in a glass.

7. Soothing Cinnamon Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 cinnamon stick 
• 1 cup (about 250 mL) boiling water
• 1 tea bag (regular black tea or herbal tea)
• honey to taste

Instructions:

• Place the cinnamon stick in a mug.
• Add a cinnamon stick to the boiling water, cover, and let it steep, for 10 minutes.
• Add the teabag. Steep for one to two additional minutes. 
• Strain the mixture and add some honey to taste.

FAQs

Q1: What are the health benefits of drinking Haldi Tea?

A:  Haldi's tea boosts your immune system as its anti-inflammatory properties can fight pathogens like bacteria and other foreign invaders. Turmeric is also used as a traditional treatment for digestive conditions for ages.

Q2: What are the health benefits associated with herbal tea?

A: The above mentioned herbal tea blend is really helpful for those who trying to lose some weight or have tummy issues. Also, this particular blend of herbs is believed to have some pacifying characteristics that help you in keeping your body internally calm and cool during the hot summer days.

Q3: How do you dry hibiscus flowers for tea?

A: Tie the flower stems and hang them upside-down in bunches in a well-ventilated, warm, dark place such as an attic. You can also spread them on a screen to dry or dry them in the oven. Keep the dried flowers in an airtight jar and store in a dark place; they will stay fresh and usable up to a year