Kadha/ Herbal Spicy Tea

EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP

THEME: #226 GRANDMA’S REMEDIES

RECIPE: KADHA/HERBAL SPICY TEA

What is Kadha?

Kadha is a mixture of herbs and spices boiled in water for about 7-10 minutes. Lemon juice and honey/jaggery are added, o make it palatable, This mixture of herbs and spices is a wonderful and beneficial remedy for colds, flus and coughs both dry and chesty. Its usually drunk when its hot or warm depending on who is having it. Usually children are given warm kadha.

Kadha Ingredients

Ingredients for kadha are usually found in the kitchen. If you don’t have the ingredients then they are easily available from and Indian store or online. In case fresh holy basil is not available then use dried one or add more mint.

• Water
• Fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
• tulsi leaves/ holy basil
• mint leaves
• cloves
• pepper
• cardamom
• cinnamon
• fresh ginger or ginger powder
• ajwain seeds/ carom seeds/bishop’s weed/ajmo
• honey/jaggery
• lemon juice

Health benefits of Kadha:

With the onset of winter or the rainy season colds, coughs, flu are common. Drinking half or a full cup of kadha during winter helps to relieve symptoms of cold and coughs. Also it prevents one from catching the cold. In short, hoping that after you’ve read the benefits of the ingredients, you’ll make kadha a ritual in your home especially during the cold season. While all the ingredients have a multitude of health benefits, here I will only emphasis the benefits in regards to colds and coughs.

Turmeric

As a powerful anti inflammatory, it helps find inflammation therefore helping the body fight germs.

Tulsi Leaves 

Helps fight asthma, bronchitis, colds, congestion, coughs, flu, sinusitis, sore throat and similar ailments

Mint Leaves

Is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. It is a good relaxant, relieves congestion and also has a soothing effect for asthmatic patients.

Cloves

Have antimicrobial properties, which means that it prevents the growth of micro-organisms like bacteria.

Pepper

 In addition to having anti inflammatory properties, it also stimulates circulation and mucous flow.

Cardamom

Contains anti -inflammatory properties and also helps to fight growth of micro organisms.

Cinnamon

High in cinnamaldehyde which has anti – inflammatory properties, helps the body fight infections and repair damaged tissues.

Ginger  

Has anti inflammatory properties, prevents nausea, helps to get rid of nose and chest congestion, helps to revive a dull appetite, helps fight infections.

Ajwain(carom seeds or bishop weed)

Aids digestion,wards off constipation, relieves cough and asthma, helps prevent bloating, good remedy for migraines.

Honey

With anti – inflammatory and ant – bacterial properties, helps to relieve cold and coughs symptoms. Honey adds like a lubricate for sore throats relieving dryness and itchiness.

Jaggery

Boosts immunity, keeps the body warm and helps fight colds and coughs.

Lemon Juice

Its rich in Vitamin C, helps to reduce phlegm and reduces upper respiratory tract infection.

How is Kadha taken?

Usually on its own, best to sip it hot. Some have it first thing in the morning or the last thing before going to bed. As for me, I prefer drinking it before going to bed as its a comfort herbal tea. The cloves and peppers used may cause stomach burns for some if consumed on an empty stomach.

Other Home Remedies:

• Raab/Millet Flour Porridge
• Turmeric Tea Latte/Haldi ka Doodh
• Kashmiri Kahwa
• Priya’s Mug Nu Paani

FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME

Incidentally, the weather getting really cold in India and my family in UK and Canada too are complaining of bitter cold. I’m glad that Narmadha who blogs at Nam’s Corner, suggested Grandma’s Remedies as this week’s theme. I’ve actually grown up having Raab and Haldi Ka Doodh whenever anyone of us came down with a cold. However, both recipes are already on the blog.

My Recipe for the Theme

Then kadha came to my mind, which was another concoction we had regularly. My grandmother use to have it every single day. But, I’ve not made it myself.  As a result, asked for the recipe on the Facebook Group Chalo Jamva (a group for Gujaratis). Varsha the admin of the group shared Kadha recipe with me. Consulting my family, we added a couple more ingredients and also changed the quantity for some to come with a kadha that is not too spicy and that my family members enjoy.

Namradha prepared Kollu Rasam, a horse gram sippable hot drink. Her mum makes Kollu Rasam regularly to ward off colds and coughs. Besides that horse gram helps in removing phlegm.

Dietary Tips:

• Gluten Free
• Satvik friendly
• For Vegans, replace the honey with jaggery.
• Do not give babies under a year old honey, make the kadha for them with jaggery.

KADHA RECIPE/ SPICY HERBAL TEA

mayurisjikoni

Kadha/Herbal Spicy Tea is a homemade healthy hot drink that helps to fight colds, coughs and flu during the cold or rainy seasons.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course herbal, traditional remedy

Cuisine Indian

Servings 2 cups

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups water
• 1 tbsp fresh grated turmeric or 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 10-12 tulsi leaves
• 10-12 mint leaves
• 6-8 cloves lightly crushed
• 10-12 peppercorns lightly crushed
• 4 cardamons lightly crushed
• 1 inch cinnamon stick lightly crushed
• 1 tbsp grated ginger or 1 tsp ginger powder
• 1 tbsp ajwain
• 1-2 tbsp honey or grated jaggery
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

 

• Take a saucepan and put it over medium heat.
• Add lightly crushed cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, ajwain, cardamom and dry roast them stirring all the time, till you get the aroma of the spices and the ajwain begins to pop.
• Add the water, be careful as water hitting a hot pan will make it splatter.
• Add turmeric, ginger, tulsi and mint leaves. Its best to tear the leaves up roughly.
• Let the water boil with the herbs and spices for 7-10 minutes or till the water reduces to half the quantity.
• Strain the liquid using a strainer and serve it hot.

Notes

Don't add too much peppercorns, fresh ginger and cloves as it may cause a burning sensation in the gut.
Drink kadha either first thing in the morning or before going to bed. If cold symptoms are severe you can have it thrice a day.
Don't force toddlers to drink a whole mug, a quarter cup or half is enough.
Giving it to babies, about 1-2 tbsp every day is good for their overall health. Don't add honey for babies under 1 year old.

Keyword healthy kadha recipe, homemade herbal tea

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