Holy Basil & Black Pepper Immunity Soup

📝 Ingredients & Quantities

Base Ingredients

• Fresh Holy Basil (Tulsi) Leaves – 10–12 leaves, lightly torn

  • Substitute: 1–1½ teaspoons dried tulsi leaves or tulsi tea leaves (if fresh is unavailable)

• Black Peppercorns – 6–8, crushed

  • Substitute: ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper powder

• Fresh Ginger Root – 1-inch piece, grated

  • Substitute: ½ teaspoon dry ginger powder (śuṇṭhi), mild heating

• Garlic – 2 cloves, crushed

  • Substitute: None; garlic’s rasayana and immune-boosting prabhāva is unique

• Cumin seeds – ½ teaspoon

• Ghee – 1 teaspoon

• Water or light vegetable broth – 3 cups

• Rock salt – to taste

Optional Enhancers

• A pinch of turmeric – for deeper anti-inflammatory action

• Lime juice – added after cooling, for Pitta-calming vitamin C

• 1 small bay leaf – enhances aroma and digestive support

• Chopped coriander leaves – for fresh, sattvic finish

• A few curry leaves – for Kapha and respiratory support

🔥 Method of Preparation

1. Heat the ghee in a pot over low–medium flame.
   When ghee becomes fragrant, add cumin seeds and allow them to splutter. This releases their digestive oils, awakening Agni.

2. Add the crushed garlic and grated ginger, sautéing gently for 1–2 minutes until aromatic.
   This step activates their immune-enhancing volatile compounds.

3. Add the crushed black peppercorns and stir briefly.

4. Pour in 3 cups of water or light vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil.

5. Add the holy basil leaves, allowing them to simmer for 8–10 minutes.
   Tulsi should never be over-boiled; gentle simmering preserves its medicinal prabhāva.

6. Add rock salt and any optional spices (turmeric, bay leaf, curry leaves).

7. Turn off the heat and let the soup rest for 2–3 minutes.

8. Remove bay leaf and curry leaves (if used), then serve warm.
   Add lime juice or chopped coriander only after cooling slightly.

⚖️ Dosha Effects

🌿 Vata

• Balancing with modifications

• Warm ghee, ginger, and garlic support digestion and soothe cold Vata.

• Tulsi calms anxiety, breathlessness, and nervous system fatigue.

• Add a little extra ghee and avoid too much pepper to prevent overstimulation.

🔥 Pitta

• Pacifying when prepared mildly

• Tulsi is slightly heating but balancing for the mind and prana.

• Use less black pepper and add lime after cooling to maintain digestive comfort.

• Helps reduce inflammation, feverish sensations, and emotional irritability.

🌱 Kapha

• Highly effective and reducing

• Tulsi, black pepper, ginger, and garlic melt Kapha stagnation, clear mucus, and stimulate sluggish Agni.

• Ideal during colds, congestion, sinus heaviness, and low metabolism.

• Add curry leaves and a pinch of turmeric for deeper Kapha clearing.