As winter sets in, many of us in India whip up Kadha to cure coughs and colds which come along with the change in season. Kadha is an all-natural blend of spices, herbs, and leaves simmered together to form what we believe is the best remedy for cold and flu like symptoms. Traditional cold and fever kadha is believed in Ayurveda to help build immunity and to keep seasonal infections at bay. This well-known home remedy is derived from ancient wisdom handed down from generation to generation long before over-the-counter medicines became popular.
Kadha for cold and cough can be made easily with simple everyday ingredients found in the kitchen and some herbs and leaves which can be sourced from the neighbourhood easily. There are many ways in which one can make a Kadha. The ingredients of the traditional cold and fever kadha depend on what is locally available. They also depend on the type of ailment one is looking to find relief from. In India, most families have their own cough and cold kadha recipe, each slightly different from the other vis-a-vis the ingredients and their quantities used therein.
To make kadha you need to gather a few herbs and spices. Black pepper is added for its antibacterial and antibiotic properties along with cloves. Additionally, cinnamon and green cardamom pods are needed to make our kadha for cold and cough. Green cardamom pods have anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial for respiratory diseases. Kali desi tulsi or holy basil is present in most kadha recipes and you should use this anti-viral and anti-fungal herb while making our kadha for cough and cold recipe. We also add guava leaves (amrud) and another pain-relieving and immunity-boosting ingredient, ginger, which is anti-inflammatory as well. Furthermore, we add a fistful of night-flowering jasmine leaves (known as parijat or har-shringaar in Hindi) and a fistful of moringa leaves (sehjan or murungakkai - which are a known superfood and contain 7 times the quantity of Vitamin C than oranges) along with jaggery and honey. The last two ingredients bring their natural goodness and help add sweetness to this slightly strong tasting elixir.
A question we are often asked is 'Can ginger cure cough?' Ginger is a common ingredient in most kadha recipes. Additionally, in India, fresh ginger root is grated and often added to tea to keep coughs away (and for flavour of course). When consumed with a combination of honey and warm water, ginger is beneficial for dry coughs as per Ayurveda.
If you were to ask us what is the fastest home remedy for a cold, our answer from personal experience would be kadha. To make our cough and cold kadha recipe, you need to place all ingredients in a pot with a liter of water. Bring this mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the pot partially, and simmer the kadha till it is reduced to half. This step is necessary as prolonged simmering extracts the beneficial medicinal properties of this kadha.
You can adjust the quantities of jaggery (gur) and honey to suit your taste. If you are diabetic you can omit the jaggery (gur) and honey.
Kadha for cough and cold can be stored in a glass bottle at room temperature for up to 7 days though we prefer making it fresh daily.
You can serve the kadha hot or warm. If you have a cold or cough, it is recommended to drink half a cup of this kadha two to three times a day.
For best results do not consume anything at least half an hour before and after drinking the kadha.
While this kadha is traditionally known to help as an immunity booster and provide relief for common seasonal flu, if your cold and cough persist, it is highly advisable to visit a doctor for immediate medical attention.
This is a traditional recipe for cough and cold kadha. Make it at home for boosting immune system – with all ingredients and cooking method right here. Find the coughs and colds kadha recipe step by step below.
Stay safe!
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