Health

Want to Beat COVID? These DIY Homemade Food Items Might Help Boost Immunity

The Ministry of AYUSH has recommended few self-care and preventive measures to safeguard our lives from COVID19. For optimal health benefits and to live a healthy life one can use these self-care tips at home and during illness

Sentinel Digital Desk

The situation of the nation is rather alarming and there is a spike in the number of positive cases in the country every passing minute. At this hour of emergency medical experts have been emphasizing the importance of a balanced nutritious diet. Boosting the immune system to be able to fight the virus has been the topmost priority right now.

Immunity Boosting Home Remedies

The Ministry of AYUSH has shared some Ayurvedic and Unani measures one can try out while in home isolation or even otherwise. Many of these are things that people in India have been having for generations and are popularly referred to as 'gharelu nushkhe' (home remedies).

The ministry has recommended ayurvedic medicine and certain health practices not only to protect people from the virus but also to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some such food items:

1. 'Kadha' (a herbal tea) is made by boiling tulsi leaves (holy basil), saunth (dry ginger powder), black pepper, cloves, cinnamon. Jaggery and green cardamom can also be added to improve the taste of the drink.

Kadha Benefits:

1. Kadha is a traditional Indian drink. It is known to be a natural immunity booster and normally had when suffering from fever, sore throat, cough and cold.
2. Turmeric Latte or the Golden Milk or simply put, milk with turmeric or Haldi-doodh as it is popularly known in every Indian household. This drink is made by mixing about a half teaspoon of turmeric with a tall glass of milk. This is an age-old Indian recipe known to improve the immune system. This drink also helps in relieving body aches and pains and ensures a goodnight's sleep.

3. For sore throat and dry cough, a mix of clove, mulethi (liquorice) and honey is recommended. The ingredients except the honey can be boiled, strained and had after mixing honey or the clove and mulethi can be pounded, mixed with honey and consumed. Another remedy is juices of tulsi leaves (holy basil) and ginger mixed with honey. These two concoctions can be had several times in a day and is known relaxants for sore throat, cough and chest congestion.

Additionally, the ministry has suggested the following:

  1. Drinking lukewarm water.
  2. Use of certain spices like Haldi (turmeric), Jeera (cumin), dhaniya (coriander), saunth (dried ginger), lahsun (garlic) while cooking
  3. Consumption of amla (gooseberry) known to be high in vitamin C
  4. Food should be freshly prepared and easily digestible
  5. Sleep for 7-8 hours is a must and daytime sleep is to be avoided
  6. Gargling with warm water mixed with a pinch of salt and turmeric

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