Welcome Winter, Sip and Skip the Sick
Winters are around the corner. With warm blankets, soft lights and cozy festive moments, many of us also end up with a cold, cough or sore throat just when we want to enjoy the holidays the most. Instead of reaching straight for pills, this simple homemade Throat Coat Tea/ Indian kadha (herbal decoction) works as a warm immunity booster Tea to keep you and your family healthy, cozy and comforted.
What Is This Winter Tea/ Indian Kadha?
This is an Indian traditional warming herbal drink made with spices like black cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, combined with holy basil, jaggery, turmeric, ghee and lemon. It is designed to support immunity, ease congestion and soothe the throat while keeping the body warm in cold weather. Everyone can enjoy it, but always check for allergies first, especially for kids.
Premix Herbal Tea Concoction
We are going to learn how to make sore throat herbal tea premix. This is easy to store, travel friendly and when you are sick it’s easy to make.
Ingredients
Premix Sore Throat Tea
- 5–6 black cardamom
- 1 piece 2‑inch cinnamon stick
- 1 piece 2‑inch dry ginger (or ginger powder; add powder only while grinding)
- 1½ tbsp cloves
- 1 tbsp peppercorns
- 1½ tbsp carom seeds (ajwain)
- 2 tbsp fennel seeds (add while grinding)
For One Pot of Tea (Serve 2)
- 2 cups water (Number of Adults = Number of Cups)
- 1 tbsp premix powder
- A few fresh holy basil (Tulsi) leaves
- Jaggery to taste
- 2 pinches turmeric powder
- 2–3 drops ghee
- A few drops lemon juice
How To Make the Premix
- Crush black cardamom, cinnamon, dry ginger, cloves, peppercorns and carom seeds lightly.
- Dry‑roast them on a low flame for about 1–1½ minutes until just warm and fragrant; do not burn.
- Let the spices cool completely, then grind them with fennel seeds to a coarse or fine powder, as you prefer. (add ginger powder while grinding in-case you didn’t have dry ginger)
- Store this winter herbal tea premix in an airtight jar; use 1 tbsp per 2 cups of water.
How To Brew the Sore Throat Tea
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add 1 tbsp winter herbal tea premix and a few holy basil leaves.
- Add jaggery to taste, then let the mixture boil on low heat for 5–6 minutes, partially covered, so it simmers and reduces slightly.
- Strain into a cup.
- To enhance taste and benefits, stir in 2 pinches turmeric powder, 2–3 drops of ghee and a few drops of lemon juice.
- Sip hot or warm, as you like.
How Often To Drink
For adults suffering from cold and cough, have this winter herbal tea/ Indian kadha twice a day, preferably morning and evening on very cold days. On milder days, one cup daily is enough to keep you warm and help ward off seasonal sniffles.
For kids, serve just one small cup a day, only if they are not allergic to any ingredient. (Consult your paediatrician too).
Why These Ingredients Work
Tulsi (holy basil) leaves are among the best natural immunity boosters.
Turmeric powder adds powerful anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial support, making your winter herbal tea both healing and protective.
Ghee acts as a “herb carrier,” helping your body absorb and use the medicinal properties of all the spices in your sore throat tea more effectively.
Fresh lemon juice brings a good dose of vitamin C, helps break down stubborn mucus, adds a bright, zesty flavour in your winter herbal tea and further supports immunity and digestion.
Keep the Premix Ready
Having this winter sore throat tea premix ready in your kitchen is essential because it saves time when a sore throat or cold suddenly appears. You simply boil water, add the premix and your warm Immunity Booster Tea is ready without repeating the entire roasting and grinding process each time.
Ginger-Jaggery Toffee For Sore Throat
These Ginger Jaggery Toffees are a handy chewable option for soothing the sore throat and easing mild cough through the day. They are made with just three ingredients and can be stored in an airtight container, ready for the whole winter season.
Ingredients
- 1 cup jaggery
- 1/4 cup ginger juice
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
Method
- Add jaggery to a pan and let it melt on medium heat.
- Stir in ginger juice and black pepper powder.
- Cook the mixture for about 10–12 minutes. To test, drop a little into a bowl of cold water: if it solidifies and breaks like glass (not stretchy), it is ready.
- Pour into silicone or metal moulds. If you do not have moulds, line a tray with butter paper and drop spoon-full to form small or medium tablets. Let them dry and set completely.
- Once set, remove the toffees from the mould or paper and dust lightly with corn flour so they do not stick to each other.
- Store in an airtight container and use as needed for sore throat relief throughout winter
Hope these simple winter herbal remedies bring you comfort and quick relief whenever a cold, cough or sore throat shows up. A warm cup of winter herbal tea in the morning can gently support your immunity and may help reduce the chances of catching seasonal infections, while soothing the throat and warming you from within. You can also keep a few ginger jaggery toffees handy in your bag, so whenever you feel even a slight irritation in your throat, you can pop one in and let it slowly melt for quick, soothing relief.
When winter arrives, the celebrations begin too—so do not let seasonal sniffles cut them short. Stay proactive about your health, enjoy your warm immunity-boosting sips, and celebrate the season of joy feeling your best. For more soothing, cozy ideas, explore our other article on throat coat tea for additional winter‑friendly recipes, or dive into this unfiltered take on whether Throat Coat tea truly works wonders for soothing your voice and throat with its slippery elm and licorice root blend—perfect for singers, speakers, or anyone battling holiday hoarseness.