Home Made Herbal Cough Syrup

Down with severe cold and fever for the past few days, due to severe throat infection. Might be the issue with water that I took outside, badly affected and I passed on my infection to my family too. Mostly we avoid going for antibiotics and try our level best with home made Kashayams(Herbal Concoction which I had posted here earlier) and with Salt Water gargling, frequent intake of warm water for these kind of infections. Mom has a special recipe of Kashayam especially for some Allergic Fever and Infections which I will share soon here. This time I ended up in worst cough and I was struggling like anything. Thought of trying a cough syrup recipe to ease the irritation during night (I had two sleepless nights due to this worst cough).
I have posted here Herbal Cough Drops / Herbal Candies already. Believe me, this worked really well and I was able to sleep peacefully and other thing I noticed is it started bringing the phlegm out and gives a good relief from congestion.It is not recommended for kids below 2 years. Otherwise it can be taken by above 2 Years Kids and Adults. Half Tablespoon in morning after food and before bed Half Tablespoon helped me.

It can be stored for 5 days in a cool place. Do not refrigerate. Use only dry spoon to take syrup. Store it in a clean, sterilized, glass bottle.

The Recipe

Have a Healthy Week and Happy Vishu in Advance :) 

இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் 

Kalyana Murungai / Mullu Murungai Vadai

Yet another healthy and medicinal recipes from the treasure trove of recipes by my Grandma, Mullu Murungai Vadai is what I am going to share this week. Got some fresh leaves again from my Native Home Garden to make this hot, steaming, spicy Vadai.

Kalyana Murungai/ Mullu Murungai in Tamil and Indian Coral Tree in English (Botanically Erythrina variegata) is a leguminous tree. It can be grown with even a small stump of this tree. It bears heart shaped leaves with three leaves in a stalk. The flowers are bright red in colour and hence the name Indian Coral Tree. The roots of the trees has nodules with nitrogen fixing symbiotic bacteria and hence it helps in fixing nitrogen in the soil. The leaves of this trees are excellent medicine and is a rich source of rare vitamins, minerals. It is also a rich source of Iron, Calcium and dietary fibre.
Along with Pepper, it helps in curing bad cold and cough. When taken with Garlic, it increases the Red Blood Cells in our body and hence acts as a medicine for anaemia. It is also proven to regulate irregular periods. The Juice of this leaves is used in treated skin allergies and disorders. It aids ion treating high blood pressure, diabetes and nervous system disorders.Even it is proven to be used in weight reduction diet programs.

Here you go for the recipe :)

The Leaves

The Flowers

Ingredients

Step By Step 

The Recipe

Happy Cooking :) 

Mudakaruthan Keerai Soup / Balloon Vine Soup

Hope you all have celebrated Pongal in a grand manner and got to meet all our near and dear ones,had feast together and had fun. Pongal season brings us lot of fresh seasonal veggies and also raw turmeric and ginger rhizomes(botanically turmeric and ginger are underground horizontally growing stems which are referred to as Rhizomes). Its always a good option to use fresh turmeric in our recipes during this season.

We always celebrate Pongal in our native home at Thanjavur in a traditional way. When I saw the lush growth of Mudakaruthan Keerai/ Balloon Vine in our home garden, thought of whipping up a soup recipe with home grown fresh greens, turmeric and ginger rhizomes. A flavourful and highly medicinal soup which has innumerable health benefits and a best recipe to combat Cold and Cough. 

Benefits of Fresh Turmeric Rhizome: 

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. It is used effectively in treating Arthritis and Vascular Thrombosis. A number of research studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin does have anticancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing. It has great effects on treating breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer cells.

Benefits of Mudakaruthan Keerai/ Mudakathan Keerai 

Commonly known as Balloon Vine Plant is a climber that bears trilobed balloon like fruits, hence the name. It is very effective in treating Joint Pains.Not only that, it cures bad cough and cold, ear pain and menstrual cramps.  

Here you go for the unique medicinal soup recipe :

The Ingredients

Step By Step
 

 The Recipe 

Hope you loved this recipe. Will be glad to receive your feed backs on trying this. 

Happy Cooking :) 

Sukku Kashayam / Dry Ginger Concoction

When I was thinking of what should I post for this Thursday's Organic Kitchen, I came across the recipe of my grandma in a notebook which am keeping as treasure (I slowly recollected all that she taught me and have written down in a notebook). Even though I make this often, I never published it here, for the fact that the recipe being very simple and easy one. Yet it is very effective against almost many of the ailments and is the best home based herbal remedy for headache, cold, flu, cough and indigestion. Yes, it is our simple humble Sukku Kashayam an integral part of Paati Vaithyam  :)

Dry Ginger is an excellent medicine and it has numerous benefits. It fight against bacterial infection, reduce obesity, purify liver and blood. It is also proven to be effective against tooth ache, throat infection, cure acidity problems, improves immunity and above all prevents stroke.

Here you go for the recipe.

Step By Step 

The Recipe 

Have a Healthy Weekend :) 

Vallarai Spicy Rice Mix / Vallarai Podi

With North East Monsoons kicked off and Nada Cyclone Alert, we definitely are curious about the outcomes this season is going to bring about (remembering last year's disastrous period). Wanted to share some healthy spice mix powder, apt for this season to stock, with the very beneficial Vallarai Keerai / Pennywort Leaves, for this week's Organic Kitchen.

Asiatic pennywort or Indian pennywort / Vallari is another treasured herb which offers a bountiful of health benefits (often referred as Memory Booster). Botanically Centella asiatica . It can be easily grown in kitchen garden.

The Leaves are used in treating the problems like liver functioning,lungs and kidney disorders, and for regularizing blood circulation.

Since ages it has been considered as the best brain tonic for growing children. Presence of Nitric acid in the leaves is highly beneficial for brain activity. It aids in improving the concentration and helps to focus better.It also strengthen the optic nerves.

Vallarai extract is also used in treating Hair fall, hair thinning and other hair problems.It also helps to cure problems like indigestion, stomach pain or diarrhea.

Studies show that the extract of these leaves are helpful in treating hyperactivity in children and also to treat Alzheimer disease.

Used in treating Diabetes as these leaves has the potential to reduce the blood sugar level, and also used in treating constipation problem and stomach ulcers.

Taking 1tsp of shade dried and powdered Vallarai with warm milk before bed time will  kill the worms in the stomach.

Sharing a healthy rice mix with goodness of Vallarai, Horse gram, Pepper and Sesame Seeds.

Here you go for the recipe:

The Ingredients

Step By Step 

Recipe Card

Happy Cooking :) 

Angaya Podi / Angaya Rice Mix - A Must Have Medicinal Recipe

This week for Organic Kitchen, am sharing a very healthy, medicinal and must to have recipe in every household. If we have this on a regular basis, we can get rid off many of the health issues, be it digestion related or any bodily infections. Even it is good for Cold and Fever. I always stock this powder, and a spoon of this with a dollop of home made ghee or gingelly oil mixed to hot rice before we take our lunch, greatly improves digestion. This is one of the long forgotten recipes of Tamil Cuisine and it is an integral part of Pathiya Saapadu for women post delivery. It has all the herbally nutritive ingredients that helps to heal us internally and flush out toxins off our system. There are various versions of this recipe available with Manithakkali Vathal, Kandanthippili etc., I have given here a very basic recipe with ingredients that are easily available.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

 Step By Step 

Happy Cooking :) 

Mooligai Kashayam / Herbal Concoction

Its Thursday again and it calls for some organic recipes. Being very weak and dull due to bad Cold and Flu which I contracted two days before, I thought its best time to share the Herbal Concoction which we normally consume during such illness. Not only my Grandma, my Mother in law as well recommends this rather allopathy medicines. So its more a family recipe and here I have enhanced it with Lemon Grass which is not a part of the original recipe of my grandma. I have carefully selected all the ingredients and almost 80% of them being home grown, including Pepper. This concoction is very effective in treating Cold and Cough and gives a great relief from nasal irritation, body pain and high temperature which are the symptoms of flu. The weather that prevails is not so conducive and we are prone to flu and cold. Hope this recipe comes handy and on time.

To list out few among the enormous benefits of the ingredients I have used in this recipe ;

Karpooravalli is very effective in treating common cold that too in children. Consuming fresh leaves will also gives a great relief. Also it helps in treating constipation.As per Ayurveda, Tulsi has lots of potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties that aids in treating all kinds of fever, be it caused due to common infections to those caused due to malaria as well.Again it has anti fertility properties, hence recommended in moderate doses in women.

Karunthulasi is an excellent herb that improves the immune system and helps in developing resistance against common cold and fever. It strengthens the Lungs and protects it from dehydration due to cold. It treats Sinusitis as well.

Black pepper is as an effective natural remedy to prevent cough and cold. It is loaded with lots of essential nutrients like vitamin C, flavonoids, antioxidants and it has antibacterial properties.It loosens up the phlegm and helps us to breath easily.

Neem flower is known for its anti-bacterial property which helps in curing allergic cold.It also helps in blood detoxification and purifies the body internally, for any infections.It improves blood circulation and improves immunity.

Lemongrass is a miraculous herb which has many beneficial medicinal properties.Lemongrass has antibacterial and anti fungal properties that helps our body fight against coughs, fever and other cold and flu symptoms. It has lots of vitamin C that boosts our immune system to fight the infection.Lemongrass oil to relieve pain in muscles and joints, as well as headaches resulting from a cold or the flu.
It is very effective in breaking down mucus and phlegm buildup, which can alleviate problems with breathing.No wonder it is referred to as Fever Grass.

Cumin is rich in Vitamin C and has anti-fungal properties. These help to cure cold and other respiratory problems.

Coriander seeds contain nearly 30% of the everyday recommended measure of vitamin C for our body, which helps in curing cold and flu.

Betel leaf is very helpful in treating respiratory problems. It helps to treat cough and cold. It gives much relief from chest and lung congestion and asthma. It even helps to cure breathing problems. It is loaded with antibiotics that ease phlegm and also reduce the inflammation caused due to constant coughing.

Dry Ginger is well known for its  curative properties and is effective against Common Cold and Sinusitis.

Palm Jaggery is a cleansing agent for our body and effectively cleans the respiratory tracts.It is used since ancient times to treat problems like dry cough, common cold and asthma.

Turmeric powder is an effective home remedy for chronic cough, cold and throat irritations. It is very effective in treating asthma.

Here is the recipe :

Have a Healthy Week :) 

Diwali Marundhu / Diwali Legiyam

For this week Organic Kitchen, am sharing a very healthy and medicinal recipe. A must to have preparation for Diwali, as we end up in Digestion issues normally after gobbling on so much of sweets and savories. This is an easy to make recipe and not only during Diwali, its good to keep this in stock and have it whenever we have Gastro Intestinal disturbances.

The ingredients are readily available in all shops these days and I have used Sillu Karuppati or Palm Jaggery infused with Ginger here for additional benefits. Have a Healthy and Safe Diwali..

Here you go for the recipe :)

The Step By Step Illustration

Karivepilai Milagu Thokku

When Karivepilai/Curry leaves are in abundance and that too from your native home garden, will never want to waste them. Made a fresh batch of delicious and healthy thokku with Pepper, Cumin and Garlic. It acts as a good appetizer when had with hot steamed rice and a spoon of gingelly oil. This can be stored for a week. Goes well with Curd Rice too.

Curry Leaves are rich in Iron and Vitamin A and hence good for eyes. It also has lots of Vitamin C and E. It is known to promote hair growth. It not only protects our liver but also protects us from heart diseases.

Here you go for the easy yet healthy recipe.

Happy Cooking :) Do Check out for Karivepilai Soup Recipe as well. 

Amla Ginger Digestive Smash / Nellikaai Inji Legiyam

For this weeks Organic Kitchen, I wanted something medicinal and healthy.Being Diwali round the corner, we need something to keep our digestive system healthy to indulge in all the sweets and savories that we make. Got some home grown Amla and Ginger from my home town which I wanted to process into something that is useful. Here is a uber cool recipe with just four ingredients, Amla, Ginger, Cumin and Palm Candy. This can be taken on a daily basis after meal for better digestion. Even a spoon of this can be added to our regular lemon juice to make it a digestive cooler. Check out Amla Soup recipe I have posted here for the benefits of amla.

Here you go for this simple, tasty, healthy recipe which can be done in  minutes.

Step By Step Instructions

Happy and Healthy Cooking :)