I am a mother to two beautiful daughters, and I have my own fears and stress when they get sick, especially during flu season in Canada. This year due to COVID and flu season approaching, my stress and anxiety have become manifold. Do not get me wrong, as an obsessive mother that I am, I have been giving them Acerola Juice and Manuka Honey frequently to boost their immunity, and until now, it has not only worked but has been magical.
I am a tea lover, and so are all the members in my family, well that’s why most of my blogs are on tea, and it’s benefits. As I was pondering about a topic to write on, I wondered if tea that we all love and the power of tea, if it can help my kids, and the risks versus benefits?
I decided to write a blog, and my research on the internet got me closer to multiple articles that helped me understand the right and wrong of serving tea and the best teas suitable for kids.
Due to the caffeine content in tea, it is not advised that tea be served to the kids. These days, iced tea and various other tea blends are loaded with sugar, which are added risks because Juvenile diabetes is on the rise, and we need to protect our kids. We can create our own tea blends without sugar and with disease-fighting ingredients. Examples are,
Fennel Tea
Fennel helps reduce water retention in the body. It is excellent for the stomach, helps in reducing bloating, gas, and constipation. I had given fennel water to my kids when they were babies and were colic for some time.
Fennel seeds contain phytonutrients that can help in sinuses. Fennel tea can assist with bronchitis, congestion, and cough as they have expectorant traits.
Fennel tea can be easily prepared using Green, white, or oolong tea since the caffeine content is less alongside fennel seeds; water can be strained and served to get the above benefits.
In ancient and modern India, cardamom has a special place in Indian cooking due to its aroma and benefits to treat various illnesses. Cardamom is full of antioxidants.
It is excellent to cure cough and cold and support proper metabolism. Cardamom like fennel also helps cure stomach-related problems like indigestion, gas, and constipation. Cardamom’s magnesium content helps in controlling the body’s blood sugar levels.
Preparation of Cardamom tea
Add boiling water to the tea leaves( as per the kid’s flavor, green, white, or oolong). Steep for 2-3 minutes, strain in a cup, let it cool slightly, add cardamom, and Honey to give some sweetness, we all know the benefits of Honey.
Ginger Tea
We all know how good ginger is for us and its health benefits. Want to Know more about Ginger facts, Read.
This was my mom’s favorite addition to any food and drinks to fight cold, cough, and flu. It is excellent in reducing inflammation and also helps in reducing stomach issues. As a kid, I have had ginger and turmeric in my milk to fight the constant sore throat and cough due to pollutants and allergies. We hated it during childhood days, but I have been practicing this ancient tradition with my kids as a mom. I do add a pinch of Honey to make it flavourful and appealing.
Preparation of Ginger Tea/milk
Boil the water, add grated ginger or ginger paste. Once the water is boiled, pour it on good quality tea leaves, steep for 2-3 minutes, strain in a cup, and add a pinch of turmeric and Honey to enhance the benefits.
Ginger Milk, Heat milk and add grated ginger and a pinch of turmeric. Strain the liquid in a cup and add a pinch of Honey and ghee.
See the kid-free of cough and cold in a day. Such a natural way, no need for Tylenol, Advil, and other harsh medicines.
Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon is another excellent winter spice, especially when blended with ginger. I create my own blends using these spices and herbs, and we are all aware of the benefits of having spices and herbs in our diet.
Cinnamon’s antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties make it a vital source for boosting the immune system. It helps warm up the body and increase blood circulation. Once again, I like to celebrate my Indian culinary experience, which enhances food by mixing these spices to extract the aroma and benefits. It’s a natural inclusion in a kid’s diet as they love cinnamon rolls! and other sweet treats that include this magical spice.
Cinnamon tea preparation: Follow the same steps of boiling, steeping, and straining tea leaves. Next, add a pinch of Cinnamon, cardamom, and Honey to the tea and serve.
All my above recipes are hot and warm. It can very well be served cold too. We live in Canada, and mostly it is winter with cough, cold and flu season at its peak. Hot beverages are ideal alongside all the ingredients that help fight the winter ailments.
Due to COVID, we mothers are all striving to find ways to keep our kids safe and at home, and also enrich food and beverages with ingredients to boost their immunity in some ways.
Do read my blogs on “Acerola Juice,” Manuka Honey, Hibiscus Tea, Rhubarb, and many other interesting facts.
I hope you like the article. I would love to hear from you and your thoughts! It helps me get better in my creativity!
