Summertime brings about a number of activities — from organizing the perfect picnics to taking a much-needed road trip, but catching a summer cold is certainly not on anyone’s list of things to do. A summer cold is brought on by numerous factors, including viral infections. Most pathogens thrive in warm, humid environments, and since people tend to spend more time outdoors during this season, it increases their exposure to these viruses. Another factor that may contribute to summer colds is the impact of air conditioning on the body. Air conditioning can dry out the mucous membranes in the nose and throat, making it easier for viruses to penetrate and cause infection.
Even though they are more frequently felt during the winter season, colds in the summer can still be very uncomfortable and manifest symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, and fever.
To stay away from it, it is important to keep taking preventive measures such as washing your hands regularly, staying hydrated, and avoiding contact with infected individuals to minimize the risk of contracting a summer cold. But other than these precautions, what if we told you there was something else that could be your knight in shining armor against the cold and cough in the summer? Don’t worry, we won’t ask you to guess, but it’s the good ol’ Grandma’s Kadha for cold. Let’s delve into what truly goes inside a kadha for immunity and what makes it so powerful against these ailments.
Here are the top 10 ingredients that grandmas swear by for their kadha for colds (and we do too)!
1. Coriander seeds:
The antioxidants included in coriander seeds help strengthen the immune system and stave off colds and coughs. Coriander seeds include cineole and linoleic acid, which reduce congestion and alleviate coughing. Additionally, it possesses anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that help soothe the throat and reduce irritation.
2. Adulsa:
Adulsa or Vasaka, is an herb that has traditionally been used to treat respiratory problems. It has bronchodilator properties, which help open up the airways and ease breathing. Adulsa also has antimicrobial properties, which help fight infections.
3. Amla:
Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is a fruit that is rich in vitamin C, and we all know that vitamin C is a great nutrient to help boost the immune system. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve the common flu trio of cough, congestion, and sore throat.
4. Tulsi:
Tulsi, or holy basil, is an herb that is grown in almost every Hindu household and is highly endorsed for its medicinal properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, which make it effective in treating respiratory problems. Tulsi helps relieve coughing, congestion, and sore throats. It also boosts the immune system, which helps fight off infections. Tulsi is rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals that make it more effective in fighting infections.
5. Kulinjan:
Kulinjan, or greater galangal, is a root from the ginger family and has been traditionally used to treat respiratory problems. It has expectorant properties, which means it lubricates your airways, thereby helping clear phlegm from the respiratory tract. Kulinjan also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it effective in treating infections. Apart from treating coughs and colds, it is also helpful in treating stomach pain, vomiting, and even seasickness.
6. Mulethi:
Just like Kulinjan, Mulethi, or licorice, is also a natural expectorant and helps to clear phlegm from the respiratory tract. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties, which make it effective in fighting infections. Mulethi also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. Its mildly sweet taste also soothes a sore throat, and it is also known for its stomach pain-relieving and cough-relieving properties in Chinese traditional medicine.
7. Black pepper:
Black pepper has antimicrobial properties that help fight off infections. Even though it is a common spice that is widely used in cooking, it also has medicinal properties that can make it a natural cough suppressant to help relieve coughing, especially when it's caused by a cold. It contains a compound called piperine, which has decongestant properties that help open up the nasal passages and relieve congestion. It’s also a great ingredient to fight off a sore throat. The best kadha always has black pepper in it!
8. Turmeric:
The compound called curcumin in turmeric gives it its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which make it effective in treating respiratory problems. It helps to reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and provides relief from an annoyingly sore throat in the summer. Turmeric also boosts the immune system and helps fight off infections. It may also increase the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off viruses and bacteria. Now you know why our moms would always insist we have ‘haldi ka doodh’ before bed every night.
9. Shankpushpi:
Shankpushpi is an herb that has been traditionally used to treat respiratory problems. You might know it as the blue pea flower, which gives us a beautiful blue-colored tea. The blue pea flower contains bioactive compounds called proanthocyanidins, which have natural decongestant properties. It is also rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins and quercetin, which help boost the immune system. This ingredient also helps relieve coughing, congestion, and sore throats because of its compounds known as alkaloids.
10. Dry Ginger:
Dry ginger has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it effective in treating respiratory problems during a cold or flu infection. Dry ginger also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can relieve a sore throat quickly and reduce throat inflammation. Drinking ginger tea or gargling with ginger water can provide relief from pain and discomfort. Additionally, it has antipyretic properties that can help reduce the fever associated with a cold or cough.
Wrapping Up
These ingredients are all included in a traditional grandma’s kadha for a cold recipe, but you can also find these ingredients in tea or an effervescent tablet to help you feel better during a summer cold. Bonus: The effervescent tabs are already packed with all these nutrients, so all you need to do is drop them in a glass of water.
To keep the illness at bay, make sure you follow all the safety precautions, like washing your hands and keeping them away from your mouth or nose when you’re outside. Remember to always carry a sanitizer, and buy a kadha online, before you spot the summer cold symptoms catching on.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4375243/
https://ijprajournal.com/issue_dcp/Role%20of%20Adulsa%20in%20Respiratory%20Disorders.pdf
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