From an Indian Grandmas medicine bag

Indian home remedies against flu.

In India, when you fall sick before you visit the doctor, the medication begins at home. It is the knowledge that has been passed down over the ages from mothers to daughters and to their kids. За да прочетете статията на български, можете да инсталирате плъгин Google Преводач от тук.

May it be any form of ailment, my mother always used to have some form of medication ready for me. It not only helped me feel better, but also recovery was a lot quicker.

We have just three predominant seasons: Summer, Rain and Winter. The winters are not severe in the middle and southern India, but bring along a lot of common viral diseases. The rains are the most common period where kids and adults suffer from flu. Our rainy season lasts for over 4 months and can get really nasty at times. No sunlight for a prolonged period, musty weather promoting the growth of mold all add to it.

So, what do we do when we catch the flu?

The Indians have a very strong base in medicine and understanding of body types (we will visit that in a separate topic). Your immunity goes down during the flu and one loses strength. So all mothers take on the task of bringing up the immunity and improving your strength. We do not immediately turn to allopathic medicines, which are left as a last resort.

Home remedies.

• Gargling with warm salt water.

Mixing half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargling three times a day with your mouth open and looking at the ceiling. Salt has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It helps soothe your throat and clear mucus.

• Warm green/herbal tea. 

A warm herbal tea with a little ginger juice, honey and lemon. Gingerol, the main component of ginger, helps fight flu, reduces nausea, aids digestion. Honey works as an antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal and helps soothe the throat. Lemon is rich in vitamin C which helps fight the cold with the flu, and at the same time promotes hydration, which is extremely important during flu.

• Kadha –  A concoction that I will swear by.

As a kid, this is something that I must have drank in liters throughout my childhood :D. A remedy which actually worked and made me feel better. It’s a different story, I didn’t tell my mom, so I could get a longer break from school. 😀 So here is a simple recipe.

Ingredients.

Cinnamon stick – about 1 inch

Cardamon – 2 pods

Cloves – about 4-5

Black peppercorn – 6-7

Bayleaf – 1

Basil (Tulsi) – 7-8 leaves

Lemon juice to taste

Black salt – to taste . If you can’t find black salt, use the Himalayan rock salt.

Honey – to taste

Preparation –

1. In a Mortar and Pestle, coarsely grind all the dry spices. Add the Basil leaves and grind some more. Make sure you don’t turn it into a paste 🙂
2. Take a small vessel, pour in two cups of water and start heating it. Put in the ingredients and let it come to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the flame and let it simmer for about 6-7 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture, add black salt and lemon juice to taste.
4. Add honey and serve. It is supposed to be served hot and consumed in small sips. Please check that the temperature is not too high when giving it to kids.

The flavor is a nice mix of the aroma of the spices, sweet and a little tart and salty.

I will do a different section on what food one should or should not consume during the flu for a quick recovery :). In the meanwhile, click on the link to read about different cuisines across India. 

Hope you enjoyed the pointers. 

Disclaimer –

The aim of this article is to provide information. This is not a substitute for a doctor’s opinion or recommendation on medication. In case of any health related symptoms or medical condition, please consult your physician for a proper diagnosis and solution. Your physician is aware of your allergies and medical history and is in the best position to guide you.