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6 Immunity-Boosting (And
Tasty) Home Remedies
05/02/2015 8:34 AM IST | Updated 15/07/2016
8:24 AM IST
Entrepreneur, Food
& Yoga Expert and Adventure Enthusiast
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When I was growing up,
my mother always used a home remedy as a first step to treat a seasonal cough,
cold or upset tummy. Now that I am a mother of two children, medicines are not
my first preference for every little ailment either. I continue my mother's
practice not just for my children but for the entire family.
Our bodies can throw
us out of the loop at any time. Hence, I most usually do not wait until the
seasons change or until a flu, cold or cough start. I make it a habit to take
preventive measures by giving natural immunity boosters on a regular basis
(especially when the season is about to change) to help the body prepare to
fight infections.
Most of the
ingredients for these tried-and-tested home remedies are almost always in our
kitchens and many of them are super-easy to make and taste delicious too.
1 - Turmeric Milk
Turmeric Milk (haldi
doodh) is a very popular medicinal drink that is generally had when you have a
bad cold or a cough. At home, I serve this drink to my children when the
seasons are about to change. This magic drink has over the decades been known
for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It helps boost the
immune system and fights colds and coughs well.
Although you can use
turmeric powder to prepare this drink, the best medicinal benefits come from
using freshly grated turmeric root.
Try having a warm
glass of turmeric milk just before you go to bed. This will help minimise
coughs and uneasy cold allergies.
2 - Chyawanprash
Chyawanprash is an
age-old Ayurvedic jam that is made from a mere 20 or so herbs and spices.
However, one of the main ingredient ingredients is amla (a tropical
gooseberry), which is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Amla is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine
for digestion, bacterial infections, diabetes, metabolic activity and many
more.
Chyawanprash is one of
those immunity boosters that my children have every day and as a family we do
try to have it as often as possible too. This is one of those immunity builders
that work slowly in the body and do not have an immediate impact.
Recipe: There are many brands in India, that make
Chyawanprash and for the lack of time, I buy my Chyawanprash too. But if you
wish to make it at home Cucumber Town has a very simple recipe
with ingredients that you can get straight out of your pantry.
A favourite way to
savour Chyawanprash is to have a large teaspoon of it along with a hot glass of
milk before the night's sleep or just down some in the morning.
3 - Raab (Warm Millet
Soup)
Raab is a warm health
drink made from pearl millet (bajra) flour that is infused with ginger and
ajwain. It is most often prepared and served to strengthen the immune system of
a new mother or to someone who is low on energy or has a congested chest.
Having said that, it
is also a perfect winter drink that warms your body and helps strengthen the
immune system too. Bajra helps lower cholesterol and it is rich in
antioxidants, iron, magnesium and many other minerals. You can read more about
this wonder millet here.
Recipe: Raab (Warm Millet soup)
4 - Mung Pani (Warm
Green Mung Soup)
Mung Pani is a
wholesome soup made from whole green mung beans. It is my mother-in-law's
hearty soup for children of all ages.
The soup is most
commonly prepared when one is sick or recovering from an illness. Green mung
beans are rich in iron, proteins, vitamins and minerals, making this soup an
immunity and strength builder.
You can read about the
numerous benefits of mung beans here.
Recipe: Mung Pani (Green Mung Soup)
5 - Methi-Ajwain-Kala
Jeera Powder (Natural Digestive)
This is a
generations-old family recipe that my mother used to give us to build immunity
and help aid digestion. When I got married, I found this very same home remedy
used by my mother-in-law who served it along with warm water (my mother served
it along with buttermilk or curd rice). Whichever way you choose to have it,
the methi-ajwain-kala jeera powder has numerous health benefits. It is said to
help regularise bowel movements, keep cholesterol in check, stabilise blood
sugar levels and also reduce joint pains. Click to read more about the benefits
of methi and ajwain
6 - Tulsi Kashayam
Colds, coughs and
allergies are what most of us suffer when seasons change. As I child I used to
battle these illnesses with a warm glass of tulsi kashayam. I love the strong
peppery and sweet taste along with the infusion of the tulsi leaves. Another
special ingredient that is added to the kashayam is the panagal kandu, also
known as palm sugar, that again has numerous health
benefits.
Tulsi, also known as
the Indian Basil Leaf, is a fairly common plant at Indian homes. Among other
benefits, it is said to help in the treatment of respiratory disorders and in
reducing blood glucose levels.
Recipe: Makes 1 glass
5 to 6 tulsi leaves,
roughly torn
3 to 4 whole black
peppercorns, pounded
1 tablespoon panagal
kandu (palm sugar)
an inch piece of
ginger
Bring all the
ingredients to a boil until you see a greenish brown tea. Check the sugar and
adjust to suit your taste. Drink the tea along with the leaves or strain it and
enjoy the decoction.
