BLOGS

• 22
• MAY

Lockdown Phase a Positive Perspective :

• By Dr. Nirmala
• Lockdown Phase a Positive Perspective
• 487

• Decoction or Herbal Tea :

  Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini(Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black Pepper) Shunthi (Dry Ginger) Munnaka (Raisin) together can be used to prepare a decoction. One can add Jaggery or Lemon Juice to it for taste. This decoction is recommended by our AYUSH MINISTRY.


• Coriander, Cumin, Garlic, Clove are mostly used in Indian kitchens yet u can have decoction of Coriander, Ajwain, Cumin. This decoction helps in digestion, release gas, improves appetite. Those who are having acidity problem or burning sensation add Fennel (Sounf) and Mishri (Khadishakkar) to above decoction.


• Those who find decoction very strong can soak the ingredients in water overnight and have it in morning after crushing and filtering.



• Golden Milk :

  Ayush Ministry recommends golden milk as preventive measure for covid 19. It is prepared by adding half teaspoon of turmeric to mixture of one cup of water and one cup of milk, boil the mixture till it remains half. One can add pinch of dry Ginger to the mixture. In same way one can prepare Garlicmilk by using one or two cloves of Garlic.

Why these herbs?

Let us have a quick look at benefits of these herbs.

• Tulsi (HOLY BASIL) :

  Holy basil helps to adapt the body to stress and boosts energy. As an immunomodulator holy basil strengthens and balances the immune system. Tulsi acts as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. It’s nervine aromatic oils relieves tension, keeps one calm and uplifts the emotions. It also helps in respiratory ailments.



• Pudina (PEPPER MINT) :

  Another herb which is grown indoors.Its fresh fragrances uplifts the spirit. Pudina is a cooling herb with sweet and pungent taste. Start your day by adding 3 to 4 leaves to herbal tea. Pudina water or adding few leaves to buttermilk also helps to beat the summer heat. Pudina water is prepared by soaking pudina leaves in water specially kept in copper jar. This water soothes the stomach. It acts as decongestant and used to treat cough, cold and throat irritation.



• Ajwain :

  This herb is bitter and pungent to taste with strong aroma hence often added to curries and pickles. It contains anti oxidant, anti viral properties that gives the immune system a major boost. For cough and cold one can have ajwain powder with jaggery twice a day. It’s anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties help to deal with sore throat and other respiratory infections. Inhaling the fumes of burning ajwain helps to treat migraine and nasal congestion. Else simply smelling roasted ajwain seeds by spreading on cloth also helps to treat headache and congestion. Ajwain water helps to relieve abdominal discomfort due to indigestion or burning sensation, this water even helps to loose weight.



• Clove :

  Versatile sweet pungent aromatic spice which adds flavour and warmth to our recepies. It acts as antiseptic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and good expectorant. Hence clove proves beneficial to treat sore throat, cough, cold and headache. Clove oil is usually used to treat toothache, sore gums and ulcers. Try adding one or two cloves to your tea.



• Turmeric (Haldi) :

  One just can’t imagine Indian kitchen without turmeric. It’s an age old Indian spice with medicinal properties and widely used in most of the recepies. It’s good detoxifier, anti inflammatory and immunomodulator. Haldi is bitter and pungent to taste and hot in potency. It is used to treat skin diseases, anaemia and worm infestation. Turmeric milk with dry ginger powder is used in sore throat. Turmeric detoxifies blood and skin thus enhances skin complexion. Lepa of haldi dry ginger and raktachandan is used to reduce joint pain and swelling.



• Dry Ginger :

  Also known as vishwabheshaja or mahaushadha in Ayurveda. It is pungent to taste and hot in potency. Helps in treating cough, fever, vomiting, indigestion and bloating of abdomen. It is nourishing in nature and good for throat. In case of bloating have sour buttermilk mixed with pinch of rock salt and 1 or 2 grams of ginger powder.Ginger powder when added to sesame oil acts as pain relieving oil this even relieves joint stiffness. Dry ginger with khas khas is helpful in arresting loose motions. Dry ginger with jaggery helps in easy passing of stools. Dry ginger when added to herbal tea helps in digestion, relieves congestion and body ache.



• Black Pepper :

  Also known as king of spices and probably worlds most traded spice. Grown in South India and tropical parts of the country. It is used in Indian kitchens and even as traditional medicine. It enhances digestion and helps to maintain respiratory system. It has antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to remove toxins from body. It is used to treat chronic cough and cold. A mixture of black pepper, dry ginger and pippali with honey is used to treat sore throat, cold and cough. You can even add black pepper to herbal tea.



• Dalchini (Cinnamon) :

  It’s the dried bark of tree (cinnamomum zeylanicum) which grows mainly in western and southern parts of India. In Sanskrit it is named as twak’. It has aromatic flavour due to essential oils. It is main ingredient of “Garam Masala”. It is used in various ailments like indigestion, flu, oedema and cough. It is pungent sweet to taste and hot in potency. Its paste is applied on forehead to treat headache. In common cold have dalchini powder with honey three times a day. Have it with honey in case of indigestion and flatulence or add dalchini to herbal tea. Thus dalchini is carminative, antioxidant, digestive and astringent.



• Jeera (Cumin) :

  Used on daily basis in kitchen it is pungent to taste and light to digest, hot in potency. Drinking jeera water on empty stomach helps in digestion and jeera water in night helps in easy passage of stools and urine. It has anti inflammatory, anti microbial properties hence used to treat asthama and cold. It is an immunomodulator. It even helps to treat insomnia. In case of acidity have jeera and coriander with water half hour before meals. Jeera with dry ginger helps to arrest loose motions.



• Coriander (Dhaniya) :

  Another aromatic kitchen herb with plenty of benefits. It’s leaves are mostly used for garnishing. Leaves are even used to prepare chutney. Coriander water soothes stomach and helps to flushout body toxins through urine. Coriander water with jeera and ajwain helps to regulate menses and ease on periodic pain. Thus it is anti oxidant, anti helmenthic, diuretic and carminative.

Just to conclude most of our kitchen cooking ingredients have medicinal properties. Try to use them in our daily diet in either way and most simple way is the herbal tea.Try to drink luke warm water all throughout the day. Have one spoon of chyawanprash in morning. Wake up early in morning and its obvious that you will have to go to bed early. After finishing your morning duties practice yoga and meditation.