• Share

PRINT

As the weather warms, I find myself craving ice cubes in my water. But I make what you might call “weird” ice cubes. 

Sometimes they’re green. Sometimes they are the normal whitish color, but they’ve been laced with herbs like astragalus or echinacea, all intended to boost immunity. 

When my children were young, they didn’t notice what was going on, but they got “immune cubes” at times (usually in their smoothies). 

All soups were simmered with a piece of astragalus bark in the broth, along with the expected bay leaf. (I’d take the astragalus bark out before serving them, of course.) 

I made some of their drinks and smoothies using coconut water or bilberry-infused water. I’d put a dash of matcha powder in their cookie dough.

Today, my adult children are tickled about my antics. They tease me that they knew what was going on…which is possible because they were always in the kitchen, licking spoons and “helping me” pour flour out onto the floor. 

Made with green tea 

At times like these, with the coronavirus still circulating, it’s important to protect your immune function as best you can. I also think making immune cubes might be a fun project with your kids or grandchildren. 

There are green tea bags available everywhere, as well as matcha powder. This has caffeine. I usually use matcha because it’s stronger. You’re drinking crushed-up leaves, not an extraction.

The antioxidants in green tea and matcha, especially EGCG, chase down free radicals and help balance your cytokines, so they are in healthier ratios. 

The FDA requires me to say that neither green tea nor matcha powder (or supplements containing these ingredients) prevent, cure or treat COVID-19 — or any disease for that matter. 

This herb simply provides antioxidants to go after oxidants (free radicals), which are reactive molecules in our bodies that can cause inflammation and contribute to disease. 

How to make them

Steep 4 green tea bags in 4 cups of hot water for about 5 minutes. Strain the infusion into an ice cube tray and freeze. 

If you are using matcha, you can use a bamboo whisker or a metal whisker and stir 2 teaspoons of matcha powder into 4 cups of hot water. Make sure it has all dissolved well, or put it through a stainless steel strainer before pouring into your ice cube tray. Freeze. These will probably stay good for about a month.

Use these ice cubes daily. Put them in individual glasses or in a pretty water dispenser for your counter. You can also use these ice cubes in your smoothies.

You won’t even taste the green tea (which is a tad bitter if you over-steep it) in a glass of water. But it will provide powerful immune benefits. 

Studies support this. Between 1998 and 2009, a group of women were studied, and those who drank green tea showed a 30% reduced risk of getting breast cancer. In another study of 49,000 men, they found that prostate cancer risk was cut virtually in half. 

I have a longer version of this article with other immunity-boosting recipes using licorice root, astragalus, oranges and more. It’s available via email after you sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. 

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit suzycohen.com.