Natural cures to ward off cold

The winters have already arrived in the city bringing along with them winter ailments like flu, cold, chest congestion, running noses and other common seasonal allergies. Now, bid adieu to common winter ailments with these quick tips and easy recipes.

The winters have already arrived in the city bringing along with them winter ailments like flu, cold, chest congestion, running noses and other common seasonal allergies. It’s a little change in your diet that can save you from those countless trips to the doctor’s clinic. "If you want to ward off seasonal infections without relying on antibiotics, opt for a nutritious diet that includes heat generating food," says Nidhi Sahai, dietician, MAX.

She advises consuming herbal teas like tulsi and lemon tea to avoid flu as both the ingredients are rich in antioxidants and vitamin-C that protect you from cough and cold, boosting the body's immune system. Many other natural fruits , spices and herbs like amla, clove , jaggery, nuts and dry fruits also help in keeping the body warm . "Dairy products like milk, cheese, butter and non-vegetarian foods such as egg and meat are also rich in protein that increase thermogenisis (production of heat) in the body," she adds.



A majority of winter ailments occur due to a weak immune system and flagging health. Exposing the body to adequate sunlight can also improve immunity as it has vitamin -D. Milk products especially curd is highly rich in antibiotics and probiotics and should be consumed in winters as well. "Herbs and spices like cinnamon, mulethi (calamus), black-pepper, and clove are effective in curing winter flu. Almonds soaked in water overnight are also very healthy and provide warmth to the body during winters," says dietician Sunita Rai Chowdhari, Rockland Hospital.



A lot of people also fall prey to the changing weather because they are often ill prepared for the changes. Here's how to make use of ingredients that you easily find in the kitchen. Try out these easy home remedies and safeguard yourself from diseases this season. Healing a sore throat

Herbal tulsi tea

Ingredients:

6 tulsi leaves

2 lemon chunks

2 tbs tea leaves

10 gm ginger

1 tbs sugar

Method: Boil 1 cup water, add tea, sugar, ginger and tulsi leaves. Brew the tea for 10 minutes, pour it in the serving cup and finally add lemon juice and serve the tea hot.



Joshanda shrub milk

Ingredients:

3 sticks Calamus (Mulethi)

4 clove

4 cinnamon

2 tbs sugar

2 tbs tea leaves

1/2 tbs black pepper powder

Method: Pour 1 cup milk and 1 cup water in a pan. Add calamus, clove, cinnamon, tea leaves and sugar. Heat the mixture till it is reduced to 1 cup. Pour in a glass, sprinkle black pepper powder and top with tulsi leaves.



Keep cold at bay

Anjeer ke laddu

Ingredients:

1/2 kg wheat flour

1/2 kg ghee

50 gm water melon seeds

50 gm musk melon seeds

50 gm pumpkin seeds

50 gm cucumber seeds

1 kg powdered sugar

200 gm figs

200 gm almonds

Method: Wash the figs and soak them in water for 1 hour. Squeeze and chop in small pieces. Heat ghee in a kadhai on medium flame, add flour and stir and roast till it becomes light brown in colour. Add chopped figs and almonds and stir the mixture till it changes to golden brown. Add powdered sugar and the seeds after roasting them on tava. Remove the kadhai from flame. Add ghee to the mixture for binding and allow to cool. Shape the mixture into small balls and the laddoos are ready to serve.

By chef Tarun Kapoor



Herbal kadhaa

Ingredients:

3 pieces calamus (mulethi)

5 cinnamon sticks

5 cloves

4 black pepper

3 cardamoms

2 cup milk

Method: Pour milk in a pan, boil for 5 min, and add all the spices. Add a little sugar. Heat for 5 more min and serve hot.