Sadhguru's Simple Warm Drink to Boost Immunity This Flu Season

Influenza and respiratory infections are still considered to pose certain threats throughout the year, with changes in season, travel, and close contact. Immunizations and medical facilities provide the foundation for prevention and treatment; however, some practices also incorporate simple food habits to provide relief for respiratory infections. Social media has increased the awareness of such practices, and home remedies are also coming to light. In this context, Sadhguru, an established spiritual guru and head of Isha Foundation, recently put out a video on Instagram where he demonstrated a warm beverage mixture that he uses during flu season. This mixture has revived interest because of how common all these items are to people, and there are doubts about how such products could affect the throat and respiratory system.

The Simple Ingredients Behind Sadhguru's Flu Season Drink:

In the Instagram video, Sadhguru goes on to say that he rarely catches the flu when it breaks out in public, and this is partly because of a drink he makes at home. This drink involves mixing hot water with a little honey and turmeric, and then some mint or coriander leaves if one has them. Respiratory illnesses, according to Sadhguru, would mostly begin by settling in the throat before moving on to the rest of the respiratory system. This drink is then advocated as a way of clearing out this part of the body and giving germs fewer chances to take hold.

• Prepared with hot water and not cold or iced fluids

• Contains honey and turmeric, among other key ingredients

• Mint or coriander leaves can be added to the soup, if available

• Eaten every few hours during outbreaks of pervasive influenza

• Presented as a preventive behaviour, rather than a substitute for medical care

How Honey Helps Ease Cough And Throat Irritation:

Honey has traditionally been used in many home remedies for cough and throat symptoms, especially when dissolved in a warm fluid. Its viscosity enables it to effectively coat the mucous membranes in the throat and could potentially alleviate dryness and irritation due to coughing or viral inflammation. Honey also consists of naturally occurring sugars, enzymes, and low amounts of polyphenols that have been researched for antimicrobial properties. Following the introduction of the product's appearance and implementation in the current market environment, it can be safely noted that a systematic review has shown that honey has decreased cough symptoms in patients with URTIs compared with usual care in a publication issued in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. This does not in any manner indicate that the product can cure the disease of influenza, but certainly classifies it among the tools used to alleviate a cough and soothe a sore throat.

• Often used to relieve irritation in the throat and coughs

• Creates a protective barrier for the throat tissues

• Has bioactive substances investigated for antimicrobial activities

• Usually more palatable in warm water or in herbal liquids

• To be used with caution by those with blood sugar management issues

Why Turmeric Is Commonly Added To Flu-Season Remedies:

Turmeric is a major ingredient of various traditional healing systems and is dominantly used in South Asia. Its bioactive constituent, curcumin, has been widely researched for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. As a remedy for a respiratory infection, inflammation of the throat and lungs is a primary factor associated with such infections and leads to soreness and cough. The function of consuming turmeric mixed with water when suffering from a respiratory infection is to alleviate symptoms to a certain degree, despite its relatively low absorption in the body when taken in this form. As a food ingredient, turmeric is usually used for its warmth and earthy character and serves to enhance a perceived "comfort" associated with healing.

• Extracted from the root of Curcuma longa

• Contains curcumin, studied for anti-inflammatory effects

• Has long been used in warm beverages as an ingredient that soothes the throat

• Added in small amounts for flavour and warmth

• May cause staining during preparation if not handled carefully

Why Mint Is Often Associated With Clearer Airways:

Mint leaves are known to have the characteristic aroma and cooling sensation owing to the menthol constituent in them. In warm liquids, mint will help in no way in eliminating the infection caused by the illness, although it will help in making breathing and clearing the throat passages easier. Mint is used extensively in steam inhalation therapy and in herbal tea to relieve congestion in the nasal passages. In the case of the drink by Sadhguru, mint is both a purpose-served ingredient and an aromatic addition.

• Contains menthol, creating a cooling effect

• Often linked to sensations of airway comfort

• Improves the aroma and flavour of warm drinks

• May promote increased fluid intake

• Used extensively in herbal remedies for relieving respiratory ailments

Why Coriander Shows Up In Traditional Respiratory Remedies:

The leaves of the coriander plant, commonly referred to as cilantro, can be found to be frequently utilised in preparations. The herb exudes a fresh and citrusy scent. In addition to this, it contains small amounts of plant compounds, which have been analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In a process known as light steeping, it can be observed that coriander produces volatile compounds. Despite being a small quantity, utilising coriander is a long-practised culinary tradition, where herbs are often considered to add value to food due to both their taste and their presumed health-restoring capabilities.

• Famous for having a fresh and slight citrus scent

• Contains plant compounds with antimicrobial properties

• Used in a traditional herbal drink

• Releases flavour when steeped briefly in hot water

• Increases diversity when mint is absent

How To Prepare And Consume The Drink Safely:

The beverage can be made and taken warm, and measures are taken to ensure that the drink isn't too hot, since this can irritate the throat. Teasing out a recommendation from Sadhguru, one can drink this beverage from time to time whenever there is a flu season. Of course, one can vary the amounts of ingredients according to one's choice and capacity. However, one should note that people may have specific health considerations before consuming the beverage regularly.

• Use hot, but not boiling, water when preparing

• Use warm supplies in regular intervals rather than all at once

• Adapt honey quantities to dietary requirements

• Do not replace medical treatments with home remedies

• Consult a professional if the symptoms continue or worsen

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