If there’s one year that has taught us the importance of a strong immune system, it has got to be 2020. The lifestyle today lends itself to burdening our bodies, and it’s imperative that we indulge in cleansing them regularly. One way to do so is detoxing with homemade drinks. Here are four easy recipes.
1. Green Smoothie
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 5 mins | Serves: 1
You Need:
- Spinach, 3 cups
- 1 banana, diced and frozen
- Fresh mint leaves
- ½ tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- Juice from half a lemon
Method:
Step 1: Add all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. You can add water depending on the consistency you require.
Step 2: Top it up with the chia seeds.
Spinach is a rich source of the antioxidants lutein, beta carotene, p-Coumaric acid, Violaxanthin, and Ferulic acid which helps prevent oxidative damage and illnesses like type-2 diabetes. Chia seeds create a gelatinous effect when added to water, cleans your insides by collecting toxins during digestion. Ginger helps get rid of toxins in the colon, liver, and kidney.
2. Honey Ginger Detox Tea
Prep Time: 2 mins | Cook Time: 7 mins | Serves: 1
You Need:
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp honey
- Juice from one lemon
Method:
Step 1: In a kettle, add the juice, grated ginger, and honey. Boil about two cups of water and pour into it.
Step 2: Infuse for five minutes and serve.
Here’s a drink that is sure to purify your system, leaving you feeling refreshed. It is advisable to have this tea on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Honey, apart from being a healthy alternative to sugar, contains hydrogen peroxide, which accounts for some of its anti-bacterial properties. Honey’s low pH level pulls moisture away from bacteria, and kills it. Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids (antioxidants which help the body function properly as they fight off toxins and stressors). Additionally, lemon water effectively flushes out toxins from the liver.
3. Detox Turmeric Tea
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 5 mins | Serves: 1
You Need:
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp ginger, chopped
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 cups water
Method:
Step 1: In a pan, bring two cups of water to a boil.
Step 2: Add turmeric, ginger, pepper and honey, and let it boil further until the quantity is halved.
Step 3: Serve hot.
Turmeric contains curcumin which has been proven to improve immune function with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
4. Pomegranate Juice
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 5 mins | Serves: 1
You Need:
- 1 fresh aloe vera leaf
- ½ cup beetroot, chopped
- 2 cups pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ black pepper, powdered
Method:
Step 1: Separate aloe vera gel from the leaf, and mix it with 5 ml water.
Step 2: Add pomegranate juice, chopped beetroot in a blender and combine.
Step 3: Put in the aloe vera gel next and blend further.
Step 4: Add a dash of black pepper and serve.
Aloe vera strengthens the immune system, and helps it function optimally as it contains antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins (A, B, E B12), and minerals (such as calcium, chromium, copper, zinc, potassium, and sodium to name a few). Beetroots is a source of Betalains, a type of phytonutrient, which is responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties. Pomegranate increases oxygen levels in your blood, while the antioxidants present fight free radicals, reduce cholesterol and prevent blood clot.