Can’t Breathe Due to Pollution? Try Clove Tea for Better Lung and Respiratory Health

The Air Quality Index in Delhi-NCR is beyond deadly as poisonous gases continue to fill the air, leading to severe health issues among residents. According to experts, air pollution worsens respiratory

diseases like asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and even lung cancer – leading to an increased risk of respiratory infections, reduced lung function, and aggravating respiratory conditions. The need of the hour is to find a few simple ways to help your body clear congestion, relieve cough, and support overall respiratory wellness. One natural way to do that is to turn to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicine system that focuses on a holistic approach to health, balancing the mind, body, and spirit. Among the many Ayurvedic recipes that help maintain and balance your breathing and lungs are clove tea, a caffeine-free way to clean and clear your lungs.

How does clove tea help in lung health?

Clove or laung has been a significant part of Indian kitchens since ancient times, used for improving oral health, enhancing digestion, and boosting the immune system. Cloves are packed with antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and eugenol – all of which help fight inflammation, protect cells, and support bone health. Cloves also regulate blood sugar and support liver and respiratory health. Clove tea, therefore, helps you breathe easily by reducing inflammation in your airways, clearing mucus, and combating underlying infections. It is packed with anti-inflammatory compound eugenol – it is important to ease a stuffy nose while acting as an expectorant, which thins and expels mucus from the throat and lungs. The antibacterial and antiviral properties in cloves help fight the root cause of some respiratory issues.

How to make clove tea at home?

You can easily make tea from cloves using easily available ingredients in no time.

Ingredients

• At least 4–5 whole cloves
• One cup of water
• Half an inch piece of fresh ginger
• One small piece of cinnamon
• Two black peppercorns
• One teaspoon of honey (optional)
• Half a teaspoon of lemon juice

Method

In a pan, take a cup of water to a gentle boil. Then add all the ingredients like cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and black peppercorns, and let all of these simmer for at least 5 to 7 minutes until the water turns aromatic and slightly reduced. Thereafter, strain the tea into a cup. You can also add honey or lemon juice to it once the tea cools slightly. Sip it warm, once or twice a day.

Are there any side effects of cloves?

Cloves are tiny, but do pack a serious punch - not always in a good way. Having too many cups of clove tea in a day can upset your stomach, trigger heartburn, or even thin your blood. Chewing cloves all day can also lead to mouth irritation or allergies, and too much can actually damage your liver. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure to consult with your doctor before sipping on the clove tea.