With these immunity-boosting teas, enjoy your evenings

While we yearn for iced teas and cold smoothies in summer, we long for the comfort that a hot cup of tea brings in winter however maybe with the rush of standard of living, we don’t give a lot of thought to choosing teas, which may always be given a healthy twist.

Atul Rastogi, president, Luxmi Tea Company private limited, recommends the highest immunity-boosting teas for winter.

Masala chai

‘Masala’ or spice forthwith brings to mind a ‘heaty’ concoction, which is precisely what ‘masala chai’ is. A mixture of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger keeps you warm. These spices have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties that function effectively to prevent cough, cold, and seasonal allergies.

Ginger tea

Ginger helps to relieve numerous types of body aches. It is enjoyed as black tea or with milk. Sugar can be replaced with jaggery to boost the health advantages of this tea which boosts blood circulation and immunity.

Tulsi green tea

An inconspicuous pair – tulsi and green tea make a wonderfully potent antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti inflammatory tea with immunity-boosting properties. In terms of medicinal value, tulsi is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc. Subtle in taste however strong in bioactive compounds, green tea boosts health by reducing oxidative stress and blood sugar levels whereas increasing the body’s rate of metabolism.

Kashmiri kahwa

Consisting green tea-flavoured with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, dried fruits like cherries, apples and raisins in varied quantities and myriad mixtures of pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, cashew nuts, dried apricots and dates, ‘Kashmiri Kahwa’ is distinguishable. Here’s a beverage that makes your supple skin, supports your weight loss goals, assists digestion, reduces stress, and additionally works well as a decongestant.

Darjeeling tea

Darjeeling tea contains a distinct natural flavour with notes of citrus fruit, flowers, and some may even say a vegetal quality. Flavonoids or phytonutrient-rich plant pigments present in tea are aforesaid to reduce cholesterol levels, one of the leading causes of high blood pressure and consequently, heart condition. Polyphenols present in the tea leaves facilitate fight inflammation and lower blood sugar.

“While a powerful cup of immunity-boosting tea had in the morning will energise you for the day, a light cup of the same tea had after work will soothe and relax your frayed nerves. Having said that, there’s no good time of day for a cup of hot tea in winter! Relax, refresh, recuperate and rejuvenate with the superb health advantages of nature’s bounty,” mentioned Rastogi.