Kadha – The Ayurvedic Herbal Tea

Kadha or Karha is an Ayurvedic home remedy to fight flu and infections. It’s a decoction of edible herbs and spices which boosts immunity and can be taken everyday. This wellness tea is essentially an Ayurvedic drink made with a number of herbs and spices that are boiled usually in water to extract their benefits. ‘Kadha’ literally means something which has been simmered or cooked for a long time. With a variety of whole spices, ingredients and herbs easily found in an Indian household, the decoction is the most inexpensive home remedy to strengthen your immunity and fight infections.

Every Indian  household has their own recipe for Kadha. But the most common spices used are : Tulsi leaves ( Holy Basil) , ginger, cinnamon, peppercorns and cloves. Tulsi is hard to find outside India, so you can skip it and make this herbal tea using the remaining ingredients. All the other spices used are easily available at the local supermarkets.

Ingredients to make 2 cups of Kadha 

Water – 4 cups

Tulsi – 8 small leaves

Fresh Ginger – 1 inch,thinly sliced

Cinnamon – 1-inch stick

Cloves – 8

Black peppercorns – 8

1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)

Honey – 1/2 tsp, to be added to each cup of lukewarm tea or take separately before or after drinking tea.

Directions

1. Heat 4 cups of water in a pan.
2. Using a mortar and pestle, gently crush all the dry spices and then add all of them along with tulsi and ginger to the hot water.
3. Once the water comes to a rolling boil lower the heat and continue to simmer the herbal tea for 20 minutes or until the water is reduced to half.
4. When the Kadha is reduced to two cups, turn off the heat. Add lemon juice if you like. Filter and serve. Take a teaspoon of honey separately after you finish drinking your kadha. DO NOT add honey to hot tea.
5. This tea can be taken twice a day during winters.

Here are the health benefits of all the spices and herbs used in this recipe:

Ginger: Ginger has anti-viral properties and is effective against cough and cold.

Tulsi: It is a healing herb that helps in reducing mucus in the body,  increases your immunity and fights against infections.

Black Pepper: It is anti-microbial in nature, and therefore helps fighting cold and cough.

Honey: Honey increases the body heat and helps in improving immunity.

Cloves: Packed with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, soothes the throat and prevents coughing.

So, what do you think ? Will you try this recipe?

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The information in this article is intended for your educational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.