Wellness Tea- ELIXIR for HEALTH

People all over the world are habituated to drinks like tea, coffee etc. They act like stimulants. They are not good for health if taken several times a day. They cause sleep disruptions and disorders, stomach ulcers, anxiety, depression, frequent urination, accelerated heart beats, restlessness, etc if taken in large quantities, because of the presence of toxic substances called caffeine and nicotine.

Here is a recipe for wellness and well being. It can be taken at any time of the day. It does not cause any side effects. It boosts our immune system and helps in removing toxins from our system. It is easy to prepare and store. The ingredients used in it are not very expensive. The ingredients are easily available in any provision or any departmental stores. All the ingredients are used in our kitchen.

Ingredients required:

Coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum)	4 teaspoons
Cumin Seeds (Cuminum cyminum)	1 teaspoon
Dry ginger (Zingiber officinale)	1  small piece
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)	2 pieces of 2 cms long
Cardamom (Elettaria  cardamom)	1 unit
Jaggery/honey	1 teaspoon
Milk	Half glass
Water	Half Glass

Method of Preparation:

1. ·   Roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry ginger, licorice root, cardamom in a thick bottomed pan in low flame without using any oil.
2. ·      Coarsely grind them together in a mixer grinder.
3. ·       Boil half glass water in a flat vessel, adding 2 teaspoons of the powder.
4. ·       Filter the extract add half glass milk and jaggery or honey. When the drink is warm, drink it.

Importance of the Ingredients:

Coriander seeds have citrus or orange flavor due to the presence of an organic compound called Terpenes Linalool, pinene. Coriander seeds contain antioxidants. It is a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamins like A and C. It contains minerals like copper, Zinc, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium.

Cumin seeds have distinct aroma. It is due to the presence of cuminaldehyde, an aromatic compound. It is rich in dietary fibers. It has Vitamins A, B complex, K, E and minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and Zinc.

Ginger has pungent odour and flavor. This characteristic odour and flavor is due to the presence of zingerone, shogaols, gingerols and volatile oils. It contains Vitamin B6, minerals like manganese, copper, magnesium, & potassium. It is rich in dietary fibers.

Licorice has sweet taste. This taste is due to the presence of an organic compound called glycyrrhizic acid. It contains vitamins B complex and K. It contains minerals like Phosphorus and manganese.

Cardamom adds flavor to the drink. Cardamom contains many essential volatile oils like pinene, sabinene. It is a good source of manganese, potassium, calcium magnesium and iron.

Health Effects and Medicinal Properties:

· This drink is carminative, an aid to digestion and helps in the assimilation of nutrients.

· It boosts the immune system. It helps in increasing the level of haemoglobin in the blood as it helps in the assimilation of iron.

·  Flavonoids present in it make it a potent drink for scavenging free radicals and helps in detoxifying the system.

·   It is a drink for general well being and for maintenance of health.

·   It can be used in the treatment of cold, different types of flu as it is antibacterial and antipyretic.

·   It is very effective in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, acidity, and helps in clearing intestinal gas and removes constipation.

·   It is very useful in the treatment of joint pain and arthritis as it is analgesic.

·    It releases insulin into the blood stream and hence useful for diabetic patients.

·    It has cholesterol lowering properties and prevents heart diseases.

·  It lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increases HDL cholesterol as it has hypolipidemic effect in our blood. It also acts as a blood thinner.

·   It regulates the heart beat, rhythm, blood pressure and prevents blood clots.

· It is a diuretic as it increases the production of urine to cleanse the kidneys hence useful in the treatment of kidney stones and to remove excess of salts like urea, uric acid etc from the system.

·     It is anti carcinogenic as it helps in preventing several types of cancers.

·  This drink is useful in curing respiratory disorders like cough, bronchitis etc as it thins the mucus and helps in getting rid of it. Hence, functions like an antitussive and anti inflammatory agent.

This drink will have remarkable impact on our health when continuously taken for sufficient number of months and made a part of diet in our daily diet plan. This drink can be taken either along with food or after food or before food. It can be taken hot during winter months as a nourishing drink to produce heat in our body. It can be taken ice cold as an energizing drink during summer months. It can be taken by people in all the age groups including children, and the aged.

It can also be taken either with milk or without milk. When the extract of the drink is filtered, cool it and add drops of lemon juice and honey. It is a vitalizing and rejuvenating drink. Jaggery or honey added to the drink not only increases the taste but also increases the energy value of the drink.

It is a drink for improving, maintaining, rejuvenating Health. This preparation may be similar to the preparation of tea that gives us health and well being. It is a fortifying, energetic ELIXIR for HEALTH. When taken every day regularly, it will be an ELIXIR of our LIVES.