As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, there's been a growing influx of people who have leaned towards more natural remedies to help boost their immune system. Many, especially in oriental Asian countries, have turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat symptoms of cold, cough, and flu. But what is it about TCM that makes it a preferred choice of treatment especially at this current moment?

Each individual has a unique body type or constitution that is controlled by their lifestyle and eating habits. In TCM, an array of food and herbs can be categorized as having a heating (yang) or cooling (yin) effect on the body, and the variety that we can easily consume by drinking herbal teas ensures the body’s inner harmony and overall wellbeing. That's why we've asked professional TCM practitioner, Dr Lim, to share her top 3 homemade teas you can make at home to support and fortify your immune system! 

Immunity Booster 1: Helps Manage Flu Symptoms

The first Tea not only acts as an immunity booster but helps re-energize the body and prevents cold and flu symptoms from furthering. 

Ingredients

• 3 cups of water

• Juice of half a lemon 

• 1 cinnamon stick 

• 3 slices of fresh ginger

• ¼ tsp cloves

• ½ tbsp turmeric

• 2 tbsp raw honey

Directions

1. Add all ingredients (except honey) to a pot and bring to boil

2. Once boiling reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 min

3. Add honey and stir (you may add more if necessary)

4. Pour tea through a strainer and drink while warm

Immunity Booster 2:  Helps Prevent Infection

This tea contains a combination of natural ingredients that help boost the body’s immunity levels and prevents relapse of infections and inflammations like a sore throat.

Ingredients

• 4 cups of water

• 4 tsp cinnamon chips or a couple of cinnamon sticks

• 4 tsp dried thyme

• 2 tbsp raw honey

Directions

1. Add all ingredients (except honey) to a pot and bring to boil

2. Once boiling reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 min

3. Add honey and stir (you may add more if necessary)

4. Pour tea through a strainer and drink while warm

Immunity Booster 3: Help with Insomnia 

This tea contains herbal ingredients that not only boost the body’s immunity against viruses but have nerve-calming properties that also help promote deep sleep.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk of choice (almond/pecan/coconut)

• 1 tsp turmeric

• ½ tsp cinnamon powder

• A pinch of ground black pepper

• 1 slice of fresh ginger

• 2 tbsp raw honey

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients, except pepper, in a high-speed blender until smooth

2. Pour into a small saucepan and heat for 3-5 min over medium heat until hot, but not boiling

3. Add pepper, stir to combine, drink while warm before bed.

Book a one-to-one consultation for customized herbal medicines/remedies prescriptions/treatments with Dr Lim.

Contributor:

Having spent more than 7 years in Beijing has given Dr Lim Xiang Jun time to explore deeply into the Chinese culture and develop the wisdom to apply the philosophies behind the different artistry to her clinical TCM practice. Trained under masters from both top academic fields and those who live incognito, Dr Lim is well versed in administering TCM and acupuncture treatments that bring surprisingly immediate relief to many kinds of conditions.