Ayurvedic Kadha: For Immunity and Better Health

Introduction

How frequently do you call in sick at work? Or how often do you have to work with a runny nose or cough? It’s okay to fall sick occasionally. But if you spend more time at the clinic than with your friends, you might want to rethink your eating habits and how much exercise you get in a day. If you fall sick twice a month or twice a week, we have some bad news for you. Your immune system may be collapsing and calling out for help. It’s about time you listen and act upon it.

How to get your immune system in order

That’s a million-dollar question. During an extreme health crisis, immunity can mean the difference between life and death. We have no intention to scare you, but if fear is your motivation, then be it. The point is, you must take your immunity seriously before it’s too late. There’s a lot of trivia around building immunity. We often hear people talk about eating certain foods and drinking plenty of water. You do that already, and yet you tend to fall sick every time the season changes or a new virus takes over the town. For those of you, eating and drinking right is not going to cut it. And that’s where the ancient science of Ayurveda comes into the picture. As far as building immunity is concerned, Ayurveda offers various herbal recipes that are widely acclaimed for their health benefits. Today, we will discuss how Ayurvedic kadha can help you build immunity and keep bacterial and viral infections at bay.

What is kadha?

Ayurvedic kadha or herbal tea is a decoction of various immunity-boosting herbs. Especially in India, kadha is usually made at home using select ingredients for healing and rejuvenation. Although the kadha recipe has been around for thousands of years, it has started making rounds since the pandemic. We know that you want to skip to the recipe right away, and we are more than happy to share it with you. But first, let’s look at the various benefits of consuming Ayurvedic kadha in your everyday life. Yes, it helps build immunity, but there’s more to it than what meets the eye. So, let’s find out what’s all the buzz about.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Kadha

Eliminates free radicals

Free radicals are the toxins released as byproducts during the body’s internal processes. These toxins often get trapped inside the body and wreak havoc on our organ health. Consuming kadha can help detoxify your body and get rid of these free radicals. The ingredients used in Ayurvedic kadha possess antioxidant properties, which protect your healthy cells from free radicals and prevent serious heart and liver complications.

Improves respiratory strength

Chronic cough, pollutants and lack of physical activity can weaken your lungs. Do you find yourself gasping for breath after climbing stairs or chasing your dog? If so, then Ayurvedic kadha is highly recommended for you. It can also improve the symptoms of occasional infections. You can also consume Ayurvedic kadha for cough relief and to manage cold symptoms.

Supports Digestion

According to Ayurveda, most digestive problems result from impaired Agni - the proverbial digestive fire that breaks down the food we eat into energy and free radicals. Ayurvedic kadha helps strengthen the Agni and eliminate free radicals, preventing issues like acidity, constipation, etc.

Ayurvedic kadha for weight loss

If you struggle to lose weight despite toiling in the gym, perhaps you are missing a crucial ingredient in your fitness plan. People with slow metabolism often get impatient when their hours of working out do not reap results. However, consuming Ayurvedic kadha can help you achieve your weight loss goals by improving your metabolism and flushing out toxins that hinder your digestive health. No fitness goal is too difficult to achieve once you have your digestive health in order. The ingredients used in Ayurvedic kadha also help burn excess fat when combined with the right exercise regimen.

Slows down ageing

While most people consume kadha for strong immunity, little do they know that it can also reduce the early signs of ageing. Ayurvedic kadha is full of antioxidants that can enhance your skin’s texture and elasticity while making it visibly radiant. Herbal kadha is also beneficial in treating mild cases of acne and hair thinning problems.

Controls blood pressure

In today’s stress-driven society, hypertension has become commonplace. While popping a pill might keep your blood pressure under control, it’s not a sustainable solution in the long run. Plus, the medication has certain side effects that may follow you around for years. People who want a healthier alternative to blood pressure medicines can include homemade kadha in their diet, with hibiscus as the primary ingredient.

Ayurvedic kadha for immunity

The Covid-19 virus and its variants have hit so hard that people still have health issues due to weakened respiratory and immune systems. Many people complain about gaining weight because they cannot perform well in the gym. At the same time, others are falling sick more frequently than they used to before the pandemic. Ayurvedic kadha is a great way to restore immunity and strength. Full of antioxidants and essential vitamins, Ayurvedic kadha destroys free radicals to prevent infections. It also minimises the risk of serious diseases, such as diabetes and cancer.

Herbs used in Ayurvedic Kadha

The herbs used in Ayurvedic kadha for the immune system may vary from those intended to relieve cough and cold symptoms. So, let’s look at various herbs that can be used to prepare kadha and their unique qualities and benefits.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a culinary spice widely used across Indian households. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can be accredited to a compound called curcumin. Curcumin is believed to have anti-carcinogenic properties, which means it can prevent or even cure cancer at its initial stages. However, there’s limited evidence to support this claim.

Ginger

Ginger not only improves the taste but also helps fight infections. Ginger contains a compound called gingerol, which has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming ginger prevents digestive issues and helps control blood pressure. Ginger tea is highly recommended for people trying to lose weight or dealing with chronic headaches and migraines. It is also used in Ayurvedic immune boosters, like Aswagandhadi Lehyam.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a versatile herb full of antioxidants and therapeutic benefits for the body and the mind. It is an excellent stress-reliever and can help calm down an agitated mind. If you feel anxious at the drop of a hat or are dealing with chronic depression, herbal tea with lemongrass can help you cope with negative emotions. Lemongrass can dry up quickly; so it’s recommended to store it away from direct sunlight.

Honey/Jaggery

Herbal tea can be too bitter for some people. Honey or Jaggery is a great way to sweeten it up. Although an optional ingredient for herbal tea, honey offers several health benefits, making it too good to be ignored. It helps treat sore throat and reduce the symptoms of cough and cold. Thanks to its healing and enriching properties, honey is used in various Ayurvedic immunity boosters, such as Chyavanprash and Aswagandharishtam.

Chyavanprash (Leyham)

Boosts Immunity, Strength & Longevity

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Cloves

Clove is one of the common spices used in Indian recipes. Apart from that, it is used to treat toothache and gum problems. Adding cloves to your herbal tea can help improve digestion and boost metabolism, which leads to stronger immunity and healthy skin. Cloves are also used to treat chronic cough and clear up phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Black Pepper

Black pepper has a heating essence with anti-inflammatory properties that help ward off bacterial infections. Black pepper is also used in various herbal formulations to treat diabetes and destroy carcinogenic cells. Consuming black pepper can also help reduce the risk of arthritis, Asthma and abnormal weight gain.

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Rich in zinc and vitamin C, Basil is revered in Indian households for its wonderful healing properties. When consumed on an empty stomach with lukewarm water, basil can improve metabolism and prevent digestive disorders like acidity, constipation and flatulence. It’s a versatile herb that acts as a stress regulator and helps maintain dental health. People with arthritis can benefit from basil as much as people with high blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon

Rich in flavonoids, Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory herb that improves brain function and metabolism while strengthening immunity and controlling bad breath. It is a popular culinary spice used in Indian and Persian cuisine and in a variety of natural medicines to treat bacterial infections.

Conclusion

This pandemic came along as a wake-up call for all of us, and it’s high time we recognize the importance of immunity and make conscious efforts to strengthen it. Herbal tea or Ayurvedic kadha cannot make a big difference unless accompanied by healthy eating habits and regular exercise. A few small lifestyle changes can go a long way. However, if you are looking for more effective ways to strengthen your immune system, taking herbal supplements, like Aswagandhadi Lehyam and Amrutharishtam, can give you significant results.