DESI KADHA - AN IMMUNITY-BOOSTING ELIXIR

Immunity and Stress

Essential Takeaways

How can desi kadha help in improving your body defence mechanism.
The Indian tradition possesses the elixir to immunity – kadha – and we have been handing down this recipe generation to generation.
Find more about desi kadha, its ingredients and how to brew the perfect cup of desi kadha to keep you and your family healthy.

The pandemic season calls for us to give our immune system all the help it can get. With monsoon in the picture, we have a slew of seasonal viruses to keep at bay apart from COVID-19.

If you are someone who falls sick often that means your immune system is not performing to its optimum. You can strengthen it with the age-old remedy prescribed by Ayurveda, Kadha. Kadha is in the news right now for all the right reasons, with the Ministry of Ayush recommending we include it in our daily regimen. More recently, a COVID-19 survivor has come forward with how daily consumption of kadha helped them combat the virus. Please note that this is not a cure, but an aid, and at best a preventive measure.

Kadha is an infusion of common herbs and spices, which are boiled in water for a length of time. This immunity-boosting drink is made with elaichi, fresh turmeric, tulsi, cinnamon, clove, black peppercorns, ginger and raisins. The ingredients in kadha help pacify vata and kapha imbalances, stimulate digestion, increase immunity and also detox our body. Cardamom and black pepper are helpful against flu and allergic inflammations. Cinnamon and ginger also aid digestion, which directly impacts our immunity, as our first line of defense is in the gut. Black pepper when added in a 1:10 ratio with turmeric, can help in getting rid of cough and cold. This immunity-boosting drink is a safe, tried and tested way to a healthy and strong immune system.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

½ cup of fresh sliced turmeric

5-6 tablespoons of fresh or dried ginger

5-6 tulsi leaves

1 tablespoon of black pepper

2-3 elaichi

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon cloves

METHOD

In a large pot, bring to boil four cups of water along with fresh sliced turmeric and ginger. Once the water is infused with yellow colour and becomes aromatic, add the rest of the ingredients and boil in low flame till the water is reduced to half. You can sweeten your kadha with honey if you’d like to sweeten it a bit. This kadha can be cooled and stored for the day and reheated as you please. Consume two cups a day to enjoy maximum benefits.

About the author

Dr. Giby Abraham

Ayurveda Practitioner

Dr. Giby Abraham accomplished and qualified Ayurveda practitioner with a Post Graduate Degree in Ayurveda Medicine, as well as an MBA in Hospital management, Dr. Giby Abraham is passionate about the ancient healing science of Ayurveda as much as bringing it to the modern age by research. Her MD in Dravyaguna, which finds its parallel in the modern science of pharmacology sets standards for Ayurvedic pharmacognosy and pharmacology with a special focus on the principles, qualities, actions, and therapeutic uses of the medicinal herbs/drug substances used in Ayurveda and its effects on human beings. Dr. Giby weds this passion to work as she actively helps in researching and finding solutions to human conditions bringing the light of science to ancient practices. When not engrossed in her work, she also shares a passion to bring the knowledge of health and healthy living to all.

Essential Takeaways

How can desi kadha help in improving your body defence mechanism.
The Indian tradition possesses the elixir to immunity – kadha – and we have been handing down this recipe generation to generation.
Find more about desi kadha, its ingredients and how to brew the perfect cup of desi kadha to keep you and your family healthy.

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