An Indian kitchen never fails to surprise us. It hosts a range of ingredients that come with the wisdom of the past and work as the perfect home remedy for several health problems. Got hurt somewhere? A warm glass of haldi doodh (turmeric milk) comes to your rescue. Suffering from acidity? Chew some fennel seeds after your meal. And the list goes on. If we search more, there are some herbs and spices that also help nourish us from within - preventing inflammation and respiratory problems. Post-pandemic the importance of healthy lungs has grabbed all our attention. Taking care of our lungs is at top of our minds. Inflammation in the lungs may lead to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness et al. Fret not, your spice rack has something to sort this out too.
Ginger (adrak) and liquorice (mulethi) are two such kitchen ingredients that are known to help prevent inflammation in the body. Here, we bring you a warm and soothing adrak-mulethi tea recipe that may help promote respiratory health and prevent free radical damage. But before jumping into the recipe, let's find out how ginger and liquorice help benefit our lung health.
Also Read: Mulethi (Liquorice Root) Benefits: From Digestion to Immunity and More!
Photo Credit: iStock
How Ginger-Mulethi Tea Helps Benefit Our Lung Health:
Benefits of ginger for lungs:
Ginger comes with a long history of medicinal use. It has been traditionally used to treat various health conditions, including respiratory problems. Ginger contains a compound called gingerol, which is responsible for its unique flavour and many of its health benefits. Here are some ways in which ginger may benefit your lung health:
1. Reduce inflammation:
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the lungs. Chronic inflammation may contribute to the development of lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2. Relieve cough and congestion:
Ginger has natural expectorant properties that can help break up mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up. It may also help relieve chest congestion by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airways.
3. Antimicrobial properties:
Ginger has antimicrobial properties that can help fight against respiratory infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Respiratory infections can lead to lung damage and chronic respiratory diseases.
4. Boosting immunity:
Ginger contains compounds that have antiviral and antibacterial properties, which may help boost the immune system and protect against respiratory infections.
5. Protecting against oxidative stress:
Ginger has antioxidant properties that can help protect the lungs against oxidative stress - a type of damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress is dubbed to contribute in the development of lung diseases like asthma and COPD.
Benefits of mulethi for lungs:
Mulethi, also known as liquorice root, has been traditionally used in medical practice for its various health-benefitting properties. Here are some ways in which mulethi may benefit your lung health:
1. Anti-inflammatory properties:
Mulethi contains glycyrrhizin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. This can help reduce inflammation in the airways, making it easier to breathe.
2. Expectorant properties:
Mulethi has expectorant properties, which means it can help loosen and expel mucus from the lungs. This can be especially helpful in conditions such as bronchitis and asthma.
3. Antioxidant properties:
Mulethi contains antioxidant properties that can help protect the lungs from oxidative stress, which can cause damage to lung tissue.
4. Anti-viral properties:
Mulethi has been found to have anti-viral properties, which can help prevent respiratory infections such as the common cold and flu.
5. Boosts immune system:
Mulethi has immune-modulatory properties, meaning, it can help boost the immune system. This can help prevent infections and reduce inflammation in the lungs.
How To Make Ginger-Mulethi Tea For Lung Health:
To put it simply, you just need to brew a desi chai with ginger and mulethi in it. Boil water in a pan add tea leaves, mulethi and grated ginger to it. Brew for some time. Add some sugar or jaggery if you want. Cover the lid of the saucepan and let the flavours infuse for some time. Strain and take a sip. Sounds so comforting, right? Click here for the detailed recipe.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.