Tulasi-Herbal-Tea

#TulasiHerbalTea #HolyBasilHerbalTea :
We had a habit of relishing either tea or coffee in the morning. Then we started taking milk mixed with horlicks or boost. When we were in Raipur, my daughter brought herbal tea bags of different herbs and flavors from Germany. Also I came to know about tea being prepared with a variety of herbs in different parts of the world through a TV documentary. 

 

We had Tulasi [ HolyBasil ] plants and pudina [ mint ] bed in my garden. So initially I started preparing green tea with either mint or tulasi. When green tea wasn't available in my pantry, I boiled a handful of Tulasi or mint leaves in water and started relishing the herbs infused water. 

We slowly widened our horizon and started experimenting with different leaves like, Bael, Keezhanelli [ Gale of the wind or seed under leaves ],  Moringa [ drum stick ], Guava, Pongamia, Neem, Peepal, etc.,... I used to prepare herbal tea from a single type of leaves for three to four days continuously. Then I will go for the next type of herbal tea for another three or four days.

Now due to Corona pandemic situation the government and doctors are advising the people to drink decoction [ kashayam ] made from ginger, garlic, turmeric and black pepper to increase body immunity against the virus and also to consume Vitamin C rich fruits like Lemon, Orange, Musambi [ sathukudi ], Nellikkai [ Amla ], etc.,...

Keeping the advisory in mind I have included them in my herbal tea preparation. Here I have prepared a herbal tea from Tulasi adding immunity boosting ingredients.

#Tulasi or #Tulsi is also known as #HolyBasil and the scientific name is Ocimum sanctum.
Tulasi leaves have a strong aroma and is an astringent. Some of the varieties taste bitter and some have clove-like aroma and spicy taste.

It has been used in Ayurveda and in other Indian system of medicine to treat asthma, bronchitis, arthritis,cold and flu for many centuries.
Tulasi is considered as an adaptogenic herb, plants that help to adapt the body to stress and boost energy. Other adaptogens are ashwagandha, astragalus root, Siberian ginseng and turmeric.
It contains Eugenol just like Clove oil, the substance for its pain relieving property.

Tulasi is also rich in antioxidant, anti inflammatory,
and has anti aging property.

Tulasi is a blood purifier and also helps the body to remove
toxins & wastes at the cellular level.

Daily 8 - 10 fresh leaves can be chewed to reap the health benefits of Tulasi.

Ingredients :
A hand full	Tulasi leaves
1/2 inch piece	Ginger
1/4 inch piece	Turmeric tuber
1 -2 cloves	Garlic
1/4 Tsp	Black pepper crushed
1 small	Lemon

If turmeric tuber is not available then 1/4 tsp turmeric powder can be used.

Honey or jaggery can be added to make the drink more tasty.

[ I prefer to drink without sweetner ]

Method :

Wash tulasi leaves [ holy basil ] in water and keep over a cutting board to drain water.

Take a vessel and add 2 cups of water.

Heat on a stove over medium flame.

Smash ginger, turmeric tuber and garlic and put into the water.

Dab the Tulasi leaves using the back of a big ladle and tear the leaves with hand.

Then add the tulasi leaves and two pinches of crushed pepper.

When water starts boiling, reduce the flame completely.

Let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes.

Then turn off the stove.

Now squeeze lemon juice into the vessel and put the lemon skin also into it.

Let it stand for two minutes.

Strain through a tea filter into tea cups.

Sprinkle a pinch of freshly crushed black pepper.

Serve hot.

If necessary add honey or jaggery for taste.

You might also like to try

Muskmelon Mint juice

Aam Panna - Raw Mango Juice

Muskmelon Mango juice

Green Tea with Mint

Green Tea with Tulasi

Mango milk shake with karpooravalli[omavalli]

Bael fruit - Vilva pazha juice

Mango milk shake with Tulasi

For other Juice, Soups and Porridge varieties

Refreshments

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