
Kadha (or Kaadha) is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy that's been used for centuries to treat common colds, coughs, and boost overall immunity. This herbal concoction is packed with ingredients known for their powerful health benefits, making it a popular choice during the colder months or whenever you're feeling under the weather. While there are many variations of this recipe, we’ve crafted a simple yet effective version that you can easily make at home with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
How to Make Kadha:
Ingredients for Your Kadha Recipe:
2 cups of water
1-inch piece of peeled ginger
4-5 cloves
5-6 black peppercorns
5-6 fresh basil leaves (preferably Holy Basil if you can get it. If not everyday Basil is fine)
1-2 inch cinnamon stick
½ teaspoon honey (for sweetness)
Optional: Licorice for added benefits
Making Kadha at home is easy and requires just a few simple steps:
Boil the Water: Start by adding two cups of water to a deep saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.
Crush the Spices: While the water is heating up, use a mortar and pestle to crush 1-inch of fresh ginger, 4-5 cloves, 5-6 black peppercorns, and a 2-inch cinnamon stick (crushing the spices gets to the essence quicker. If you can’t crush them, putting them in whole if fine
Add Fresh Basil: Once the water is boiling, add the crushed spices and 5-6 fresh basil leaves to the saucepan.
Simmer: Let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes or until the tea is reduced to half its original volume.
Strain and Sweeten: Strain the mixture into a glass, then stir in ½ teaspoon of honey for added flavor and soothing effects.
Why Kadha Is So Beneficial:
Kadha is renowned for its therapeutic qualities, thanks to the potent combination of ingredients. Here's how it helps:
Anti-Viral and Immune-Boosting: The herbs and spices used in Kadha are packed with compounds known to strengthen the immune system and fight off infections.
Supports Respiratory Health: Basil, ginger, and cinnamon are especially beneficial in soothing the throat, clearing mucus, and reducing coughing.
Anti-Inflammatory: The anti-inflammatory properties of the ingredients can help reduce throat irritation and swelling, providing quick relief from the discomfort of a cold or cough.
Antiseptic Benefits: The antibacterial properties in these ingredients make Kadha an effective remedy to fight infections naturally.
For those who want a bit more information on the healing properties of the ingredients, here they are:
1. Ginger (1-inch piece of peeled ginger)
Natural Properties:
Anti-inflammatory: Ginger contains gingerol, a potent anti-inflammatory compound that helps reduce swelling and irritation in the throat.
Antioxidant: It is rich in antioxidants, helping to boost the immune system and reduce oxidative stress in the body.
Antimicrobial: Ginger has natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that help fight off infections, making it a great remedy for colds and coughs.
How It Helps:Ginger helps open up the airways and clear nasal congestion, reducing coughing and throat irritation. It also promotes sweating, which helps the body expel toxins.
2. Cloves (4-5 cloves)
Natural Properties:
Antiseptic: Cloves are known for their powerful antiseptic properties, which help fight infections and prevent further irritation in the throat.
Analgesic: Cloves contain eugenol, a compound that has pain-relieving properties, offering relief from sore throats and coughs.
Anti-inflammatory: They help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, which can alleviate discomfort caused by colds.
How It Helps:Cloves help ease a sore throat and suppress coughing. They also have a warming effect that can help soothe and open up blocked sinuses.
3. Black Pepper (5-6 black peppercorns)
Natural Properties:
Expectorant: Black pepper has expectorant qualities, which means it helps loosen mucus and phlegm, making it easier to expel them from the respiratory system.
Anti-inflammatory: Like other ingredients in Kadha Tea, black pepper has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce throat irritation.
Antibacterial: Black pepper also possesses antibacterial properties, which can help fight infections that often cause coughing and colds.
How It Helps:Black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow, aiding in clearing nasal congestion and easing a dry or productive cough.
4. Fresh Basil (5-6 basil leaves)
Natural Properties:
Antiviral and Antibacterial: Basil is known for its powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which make it effective in fighting colds and respiratory infections.
Anti-inflammatory: It helps reduce inflammation in the throat and respiratory system.
Immune-boosting: Basil is also rich in antioxidants and has immune-enhancing properties, helping the body combat infections more effectively.
How It Helps:Basil helps to fight off cold viruses and reduce coughing by clearing up mucus. It also soothes the throat and promotes overall respiratory health.
5. Cinnamon (1-2 inch cinnamon stick)
Natural Properties:
Antioxidant: Cinnamon contains high levels of antioxidants, which support the immune system and help fight infections.
Anti-inflammatory: Cinnamon is known to reduce inflammation in the body, especially in the respiratory tract, which helps ease throat irritation and coughing.
Antibacterial and Antiviral: It has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it effective in fighting the pathogens that cause colds and coughs.
How It Helps:Cinnamon helps soothe a sore throat, relieve coughing, and fight off the bacteria or viruses responsible for the cold. It also helps open up blocked nasal passages.
6. Honey (½ teaspoon honey)
Natural Properties:
Antimicrobial: Honey has natural antimicrobial properties that help kill bacteria and viruses in the throat.
Soothing: It’s a natural humectant that helps lock in moisture, making it soothing for a dry or scratchy throat.
Anti-inflammatory: Honey can help reduce inflammation and irritation in the respiratory tract.
How It Helps:Honey helps coat the throat, providing immediate relief from irritation and coughing. It also has mild antibacterial properties, helping to fight infections.
7. (Liquorice) [Optional]
Natural Properties:
Expectorant: Liquorice acts as a natural expectorant, helping to clear mucus from the airways.
Anti-inflammatory: It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation in the throat and respiratory passages.
Antiviral and Antibacterial: Licorice is known for its ability to fight respiratory infections caused by viruses and bacteria.
How It Helps: Liquorice soothes the throat and helps reduce coughing, making it especially useful for persistent dry coughs. It also helps boost the immune system and alleviate respiratory discomfort.
How to Store Kadha Tea: While Kadha is best consumed fresh to retain the maximum effectiveness of its ingredients, you can store any leftovers in a closed bottle in the fridge for 1-2 days. But for the best results, try to make it as fresh as possible!
Kadha Tea is a wonderful, all-natural remedy to keep on hand during flu season or whenever you're looking to give your immune system a little extra support. Plus, it's easy to prepare and requires minimal ingredients—most of which you probably already have in your kitchen!
Stay healthy and warm with a cup of homemade Kadha!
Monica xoxo
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