Winter calls for warm beverages but all those cups of caffeine and tannin will harm your body more than you think. Why not replace your usual brews with soothing kadha that can benefit your health too?
Kadha is basically a decoction made using medicinal herbs and spices. It is Ayurveda’s greatest offering to humankind. You can prepare one effortlessly using widely available ingredients for kadha and get respite from several bothering symptoms. It’s no wonder why kadha has maintained its position in our culture for centuries.
Think about it. Would you rather consume a 100% authentic recipe that benefits your health in the long run, or risk it with a bunch of chemicals for temporary or quick relief?
Ayurvedic kadha, when used consistently, can show long-term benefits, mostly with no side effects, unless you’re allergic to any of the ingredients; and no, you won’t have to head to the mountaintops, seeking Ayurvedic wisdom from the sages. Allow us to present some effective natural kadha recipes that you can make at home hassle-free.
How to Make Kadha
The type of kadha you need depends on the ailment you want to manage. There are recipes for preventive care as well, one of which we have shared as a bonus to boost your immunity.
If you need us to reveal some more of our kadha secrets for specific conditions, do let us know. Connect and follow us on JIVA Ayurveda.
Kadha for Cough
Kadha recipe for cough requires only a few commonly available ingredients. Try this 3-step Tulsi and Ginger Tea next time you have a cough.
1) Wash 12-15 fresh tulsi leaves and boil them in about 3 cups of water.
2) Add some grated ginger and 2-3 peppercorns to it and allow it to simmer for about 5 mins.
3) Then, sprinkle a pinch of black salt, stir, and take it off the stove.
You may add a few drops of lemon juice, too, before straining and drinking it while it’s warm.
Kadha for Sore Throat
A sore throat could be a symptom of a number of conditions. Common colds, allergies, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), smoking, etc., could give you a sore throat.
While the recipe we’ve shared below, the Ginger Honey Kadha, may provide some respite from a scratchy, inflamed, or swollen throat, it is important for you to understand the root cause of your condition to treat it appropriately.
To make the kadha, you’ll need—1 teaspoon of honey, ½ inch of ginger, and a pinch of black pepper.
1) Clean, peel, and grate the ginger and boil it in a cup of water.
2) Add the black pepper and let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes.
3) Strain, allow it to cool a bit, and add honey to it. Drink it while it is still warm.
Alternatively, and if you don’t want a decoction, you can mix the black pepper and honey in a spoonful of ginger juice and consume it.
Whether it’s the kadha or a spoonful of the mixture, have it once in the morning and once before going to bed to soothe your sore throat.
Kadha for Cold
Cold is synonymous with winter. This kadha is your best friend if you need some relief from it this season.
You’ll need ½ teaspoon carrom seeds, 2 cloves, 4 black peppercorns, ½ teaspoon ground turmeric, an inch of grated ginger, 1 teaspoon jaggery, and about ½ teaspoon ghee, preferably A2 cow ghee.
In a saucepan, take a glass of water and add all the ingredients to it, except for the jaggery and ghee.
1) Allow it to come to a boil and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
2) Add the jaggery and the ghee in the end and cook till the jaggery dissolves completely.
3) Sip on this warm kadha twice daily through the cold to see a noticeable difference.
These ailments have another companion—fever. Often, all of them come along together or one after the other. Fever is your body’s way of fighting infections, and you could experience an incredible amount of discomfort while it persists. But guess what! Ayurveda has a solution for this, too.
Ayurvedic Kadha for Fever
To combat fever, you’ll need a kadha that helps lower your body temperature.
You’ll need 1 inch of peeled ginger, 5-6 black peppercorns, 4-5 cloves, 6-8 fresh basil leaves, a cinnamon stick, ½ teaspoon mulethi, and ½ teaspoon honey.
1) Add all the ingredients except for the honey to 2 cups of water.
2) Bring it to a boil and simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
3) Allow it to cool for a bit.
4) Add honey while it’s still warm and enjoy the brew.
The ingredients in this kadha - peppercorn, cloves, and mulethi — induce sweating and help bring your body temperature down comfortably. The best thing to do after having this kadha is to tuck yourself in bed, under a warm blanket, and allow your body to rest while it sweats.
And now, here’s the bonus recipe that we were talking about.
Winter Kadha
Preventive care is better than cure. With this recipe, you can enjoy winter without the nagging seasonal ailments.
What you need is some ginger, ground turmeric, black peppercorns, cloves, lemongrass, tulsi leaves, and honey or jaggery.
1) Boil 2-3 cups of water in a saucepan.
2) Add all the ingredients except for jaggery/honey.
3) Boil on medium-high heat till it reduces to half.
If you add jaggery, cook it for another 2-3 minutes. If you want honey, allow it to cool down just a bit before adding it.
Sip on this kadha consistently a couple of times every day for good results.
See how simple they are — these kadha recipes? Their accessibility and simplicity are why they have made their way into our kitchens. Try these preparations now and bid goodbye to petty winter illnesses forever. Make the most of kadha benefits. Add them to your diet today!
