–Aparna Chatterjee

The coronavirus situation brought back many lost Indian drinks into the limelight. Kadha is one of them. Brewed with so many hot ingredients, this drink not only helps to increase our body temperature but also helps to elevate our immunity. So, let’s get straight to it!

What do you need?

1. 8-9 leaves (with some twigs) of Indian Basil (Tulsi).
2. 1 Tsp of minced ginger.
3. 1-2 whole cinnamon.
4. 4-5 cloves.
5. Three black paper corn, crushed or whole.
6. 2-3 cardamom pods.
7. Jaggery (can use honey as well).
8. A tsp of lemon juice (if you wish).
9. 2 cups of water.

Indian basil:

The herb from every Indian household! 

Ginger:

It spices up the dish, makes you warm, and builds your health. 

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants like polyphenols, protecting your body against free radicals that cause oxidative damage. It has antibacterial properties. Its main active ingredient, cinnamaldehyde, fixes some ailments in our respiratory tracts, which helps combat the flu.

Clove:

Yet another spice is heating your body! Packed with medicinal properties, cloves relieve a sore throat and reduce the pain caused due to consistent coughing. It also has essential oil, which acts as a natural expectorant (cough syrup), clearing the respiratory passage. Moreover, it also helps you eliminate an itchy feeling in the throat caused by a dry cough.

Black paper corn.

Black paper corn, or kaali Miri, is a natural expectorant that breaks down the mucus deposition in the respiratory tract. Its natural irritant quality helps you expel these loosened materials through sneezing or coughing your body and enables you to recover from infection or illness.

Cardamom:

Another hot element acts as a natural expectorant; cardamom also aids in treating fever.

Jaggery:

Jaggery is often recommended for Asthma patients as it is an excellent remedy for asthma. It has properties that regulate body temperature, which is very good for Asthma patients. It also has anti-allergy properties. It is a well-known remedy to cure dry cough and cold.

How to make it?

1. Set two cups of water to boil.
2. Add all the ingredients and let all the spices brew in it.
3. The color of the water will change to brown (like tea), releasing the aroma of the spices.
4. Make sure that the jaggery has dissolved completely.
5. Strain the drink into a small cup or glass, and drink it at most four times daily.
6. Add lemon to enhance the taste.
7. In case you do not have jaggery, use honey.

There you go, honey. Take shots of this drink and see how quickly it cures the ailment. A natural energy booster, expectorant, immunity builder, and all the ingredients are probably in your kitchen.