With the onset of the winter season, as we prepare ourselves for its cold, windy waves the first and foremost thing we usually do is bring about a change in our diet. There are several foods that we stop consuming as they have a cold property and there are certain foods that we start adding into our diet in order to be able to sustain through the season without falling ill. Here’s a list of a few of the most important and essential herbs that would help keep us all warm and wonderful throughout the season.
Amla — Indian Gooseberry
Indian Gooseberry, also known as “Amla” may not be the most important herb you may have heard of for this season, but the endless health benefits given by this herb are invaluable. The amount of vitamin c found in this herb could cure you out of your vitamin C deficiency faster than any of the other berries you’ve heard of. This is one of the most valuable herbs that no one talks about while raving about the rest of the other berries. Consumption of Indian Gooseberry in the form vegetable, juice or powder could turn out to be extremely beneficial during the winter season.
It helps boost the immune system so the body is able to fight against some of the most common ailments like cough, cold, sore throat or fever that the cold weather brings with itself. It helps against constipation that is a common ailment occurring due to eating cold food or drinking cold water. It would help maintain the hair, skin and eyes, giving them the strength to withstand the dry weather.
Tulsi — Holy Basil
Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is regarded as one of the most sacred herbs in India and is referred to as “The Queen of the Herbs” for its healing, curative and spiritual properties. It has been used throughout history as one of the major herb to restore an individual’s health- helping to overcome stress, naturally detoxifying the body, increasing vigour and strength, enduring, energizing and restoring the equilibrium and health of the body.
Tulsi leaves are used in with milk and water to prepare tea that is not only appetizing, but rejuvenates the entire body from within. It may also be consumed in the form of juice or raw leaves eaten as a part of a salad. This herb possesses the property that could help the body to adapt to various physical as well as mental stressors that we go through during the winter season, supporting the day to day functions of the body and restoring its balance.
Haldi — Turmeric
Turmeric or “Haldi” is regarded as one of the most effective herb found in the market. It has proven to cure ailments be it acute or chronic. Its antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting properties make it one of the most valuable herbs. Turmeric would, therefore, help us to keep away all the common ailments caused due to the chilly, dry winds of the season.
It is very beneficial for healing wounds, common cold, cough, sore throat and indigestion. It is the key ingredient in several dishes prepared in our country. A very healthy drink with turmeric makes use of turmeric added to warm milk. This drink instantly rejuvenates the hair, skin, internal body organs and the mind, making us feel very warm and comfortable even in the coldest of times.
Adrak — Ginger
Ginger or “ADRAK” is a commonly used herb in various cuisines, particularly during the colder season due to its hot property that helps induce warmth in the body against the cold, dry season. Other than its healing properties it also flavour and aroma to the cuisine. Ginger helps with digestive issues, pain, reduces inflammation and gives relief from morning sickness or nausea. One of its key property is that it is diaphoretic in nature, meaning, it promotes sweating, therefore helping the body get warm from within naturally.
Using ginger to prepare tea and consuming it during cold weather help the individual to stay warm. In the wake of a several common ailments like cold, cough, tonsillitis and sore throat, consuming ginger tea would prove beneficial to the body. Ginger tea can also be consumed to ease menstrual pain during the cold season as consuming it would induce heat in the body.
Lahsun — Garlic
The Garlic plant belongs to the Allium (onion) family. It is one of the most treasured herbs due to its high curative properties. It is also a very common ingredient, used mostly in the form of powder or oil in various cuisines, particularly because of its strong taste and smell. It boosts the immune system. It is used extensively to cure bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. It helps to cure common ailments like fever, cough, cold, flu, inflammation, digestive troubles and severe diseases like tuberculosis, infections and sexually transmitted diseases as well. It is also used in the form of oil on the nails to cure fungal infections, warts, and corns.
Two cloves of raw garlic consumed with warm water empty stomach, every day, early in the morning can help alleviate major diseases, keeping the body healthy and clean from within. It can also be prepared in the form of tea to get rid of common ailments of the cold season.
