Herbal Kadha Recipes for Cold and Cough - Docindia.org

Cough and cold are some of the most commonly occurring health problems, especially during season changes. Both kids and adults get sick and your daily activities get disrupted. In most cases doctors prescribe medicines, that are made of chemical components are bound to have massive side effects on your overall health and wellness in near future. So, what can you do in such cases?

If you feel like you have itchy throats, nasal congestion, and nagging coughs, it is always a healthier option to use traditional, home remedies that get rid of these health problems. Kadha is one such type of home remedy, that has been effectively in use since the ancient Ayurvedic times.

What do we know about Kadha?

Kadha is one of the most effective medicines that works wonderfully to get rid of cough and cold. Kadha, also often called karha or kaadha, is usually consumed as a herbal tea made with boiling fresh herbs and dry spices that can get rid of congestion in lungs and throat.

It is made of a concentrated herbal decoction that is prepared by simmering powerful spices, herbs, and various types of beneficial botanicals in water. All these components in kadha are not only free from side effects, but are some of the most effective natural remedies that work of cough, cold, runny nose, and related problems.

Why is Kadha effective for relieving from cough and cold?

When you develop problems related to cough and cold, according to Ayurveda, there is apparently an imbalance in your Kapha (mucus/fluid) and Vata (air/circulation) doshas. Having an Ayurvedic drink like Kadha can help balance the Kapha and Vata using the hot, pungent (katu), and warming (ushna) properties of whole spices that are present in this drink.

Here are the ways in which Kadha can be useful for preventing various types of cough, cold and congestion:

1.Turns the phlegm into liquid:

Components such as piperine and gingerol, along with other bio-active compounds in Kadha can help to turn the thick mucus in the bronchial passages into liquid forms so that it can easily get out of your body.

2.Lowering your inflammation:

Bio-active compounds that are present in Kadha can work to prevent the risks of inflammation in your body that often accelerates cough, cold and related conditions.

3.Helps boosting your immunity:

Kadha is a herbal drink that is infused with the powers of rich concentrations of Vitamin C, zinc-supportive polyphenols, and essential oils that can work wonders to boost your immune system by fortifying the functions of your white blood cells.

Essential ingredients in Kadha that protect your immunity:

Kadha is a powerful Ayurvedic drink that provides you with the benefits of some of the most vital plant-based components. These components are beneficial to improve your immune system and thus can help to prevent the risks of developing various types of ailments such as cough and cold.

So, here we have for you, a complete list of some of the major health beneficial ingredients that are present in Kadha and are known for improving your cough and cold symptoms while providing a strong immune response system:

Ingredient Active Compound Key Health Benefit

Tulsi (Holy Basil) Eugenol, Ursolic acid Powerful adaptogen; it helps in relieving chest congestion and antiviral pressure

Fresh Ginger Gingerol, Shogaol Contains anti-microbial properties; helps in lowering chronic inflammation and prevents throat pain

Black Pepper (Kali Mirch) Piperine Supports better absorption of nutrients into the body and breaks up persistent phlegm

Cinnamon (Dalchini) Cinnamaldehyde Anti-inflammatory in nature that aids in regulating your body temperature during mild chills

Cloves (Laung) Eugenol Natural anesthetic that helps in numbing your sore throat irritation and suppresses dry cough

Turmeric (Haldi) Curcumin Broad-spectrum antioxidant and systemic anti-inflammatory

Mulethi (Licorice Root) Glycyrrhizin Demulcent; coats the mucosal lining to relieve dry or hacking coughs and other symptoms of cold.

Types of Kadha and their effective properties:

Kadha can be made in different ways, based on the types that you would prefer and depending on the type of coughs that you need relief from. Here is roughly an account of the different types of Kadha that you can have in order to get rid of various types of cough and cold:

1.Tulsi and Ginger Kadha:

This is the classic type of Kadha drink that can help to get rid of wet cough and notorious types of chest congestion. To prepare this drink mix 10 to 12 fresh Tulsi (Holy Basil) leaves with 1-inch fresh crushed ginger root. Now boil this in with 3 cups Water 4 to 5 Black peppercorns after coarsely crushing them. You can also add. 1 small Cinnamon stick (broken). For taste, you can also add 1 tablespoon of Raw Honey or Jaggery (added after cooling slightly)

2.Mulethi (Licorice) and Clove Kadha:

This is a type of Kadha that is highly beneficial for curing persistent cough that keeps you awake all night creating a notorious irritation in your throat.

This type of Kadha contains 1 small stick Mulethi (Licorice root) along with 4 Whole Cloves and half a teaspoon of Carom seeds (Ajwain) and another teaspoon of Turmeric powder (or crushed fresh turmeric). All these need to be boiled in 2.5 cups Water and squeeze 1 teaspoon of Lemon juice into it before drinking.

3.Golden Turmeric and Ajwain Kadha:

This is another highly effective recipe for preparing Kadha. All you need to do, is add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated Turmeric (or half teaspoon of high-curcumin turmeric powder) along with 1 teaspoon of Carom seeds and a small pinch of Black pepper powder that can help to activate curcumin in turmeric. You can also add 3 to 4 crushed Green cardamom pods and boil all of them in 3 cups Water.

This particular type of Kadha recipe is exceptionally good for those who are suffering from body stiffness, low-grade fever, or general fatigue that develop as a result of cold.

4.Mild Kids' Herbal Kadha:

Children catch cough and cold every now and then, and so it is important to prepare a Kadha recipe that is mild and palatable for kids as well.

Mix 5 Fresh Tulsi leaves with around half teaspoon of Fennel seeds (Saunf) and 1 to 2 Green cardamom pods. You can add 1 small piece of fresh ginger (slice size of a coin) and boil them in 2 cups Water. You may also add 1 tablespoon of Jaggery or pure maple syrup into it.

Which doctor to consult for having Kadha?

Kadha is always a healthier alternative, because unlike various types of antibiotic medicines and cough syrups, Kadha is a drink that is strictly Ayurvedic and features various types of healthy, plant based components that can help to get rid of cough and cold symptoms without having any kind of long-term side effects on your health.

But if you are still doubtful, you can always consult a registered nutritionist expert or a dietitian to know the portion size of your total Kadha intake, whether you can have this Ayurvedic drink at all or not, and other related details. If you are giving this drink to your child, you may take suggestions from your pediatric expert as well.

Precautions before having Kadha drink:

Kadha is undoubtedly one of the healthiest drinks that can help you to get relief from various types of congestion and symptoms of cough and cold, but there are certain precautions that you need to take before having this drink. Here is a list of some such precautionary measures:

1.Pregnancy : Pregnant and/or lactating women need to consult their doctors first before having this drink

2.Interaction with medications: Mulethi (licorice root) can affect blood pressure and interfere with blood thinners if you add them in excessive amounts in this drink.

3.Red flags: Look for side effects of this drink such as diarrhea or runny stool, allergic reactions from herbs, and so on.

Final Thoughts:

To conclude, it can be said that Kadha is one of the most vital drinks that you may always rely on, whenever you or your kids fall sick or are under the weather. Though you may not get instant reliefs from this drink like it happens from antibiotics, Kadha is strictly made from natural ingredients and thus works as a wonderful home remedy to cure congestion, dry or wet cough, runny nose, and so on.

A word of caution: Just ensure that you are having the drink in correct doses and not in excessive amounts to prevent the risks of side effects. Take expert opinion if needed.