This Ginger-Licorice Tea May Help Boost Lung Health — How To Make It At Home

An Indian kitchen never fails to surprise us. It hosts a variety of ingredients that come with the wisdom of the past and serve as perfect home remedies for many health problems. Got hurt somewhere? A warm glass of haldi doodh (turmeric milk) comes to your rescue. Troubled by acidity? Chew some fennel seeds after meals. And the list goes on. If we explore further, there are also certain herbs and spices that help nourish us from within – preventing inflammation and respiratory problems. The importance of healthy lungs has grabbed all our attention after the pandemic. Taking care of our lungs is at the top of our minds. Swelling in the lungs can cause symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Fret not, your spice rack has something to solve this too.

ginger (adrak) and licorice Licorice are two kitchen ingredients that are known to help prevent inflammation in the body. Here, we bring you a warm and soothing ginger-licorice tea recipe that can help promote respiratory health and prevent free radical damage. But before starting with the recipe, let us find out how ginger and liquorice benefit our lung health.

Read also: Benefits of Mulethi (Licorice Root): From Digestion to Immunity and Much More!

How Ginger-Licorice 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 flavor and many of its health benefits. Here are some ways ginger can 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 such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

2. Relief from cough and congestion:

Ginger has natural expectorant properties that can help break up mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up. It can also help relieve chest tightness by relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways.

3. Antimicrobial Properties:

Ginger has antimicrobial properties that can help fight respiratory infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Respiratory infections can lead to lung damage and chronic respiratory diseases.

4. Increasing immunity:

Ginger contains compounds that have antiviral and antibacterial properties, which may help boost the immune system and protect against respiratory infections.

5. Protection against oxidative stress:

Ginger has antioxidant properties that may help protect the lungs from oxidative stress – a type of damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress has been dubbed to contribute to the development of lung diseases such as asthma and COPD.

Benefits of licorice for lungs:

Licorice, also known as licorice root, has been traditionally used in medicine for its various health-benefiting properties. Here are some of the ways liquorice can benefit your lung health:

1. Anti-inflammatory properties:

Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce swelling in the airways, making it easier to breathe.

2. Expectorant Properties:

Licorice 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:

Licorice has antioxidant properties that may help protect the lungs from oxidative stress, which can cause damage to lung tissue.

4. Anti-viral Properties:

Licorice has been found to have anti-viral properties, which may help prevent respiratory infections such as the common cold and flu.

5. Increases immunity:

Licorice has immune-modulatory properties, which means it can help boost the immune system. This can help prevent infection and reduce inflammation in the lungs.

How to make ginger-liquorice tea for lung health:

Simply put, all you need to do is make a desi tea with ginger and liquorice. Boil water in a pan and add tea leaves, liquorice and grated ginger to it. Cook for some time. If you want add some sugar or jaggery. Cover the lid of the saucepan and let the flavors infuse for a while. Strain and take a sip. Sounds so comforting, doesn’t it? Click here for detailed recipe.

Disclaimer: This content provides general information only including advice. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult an expert or your own physician for more details. NDTV does not take responsibility for this information.