Magical Remedies from Granny’s Kitchen

Remedies for all malaises can be found in the humble kitchen

“The kitchen can be a sacred space. Where magic is created, whether it's mixing up a potion, or baking a cake for friends. The whole process is part of this spell - intention being just as important as the ingredients!” - Sarah Robinson

While the Starbucks Turmeric Latte has a cult following in the West only now; our grannies, since times immemorial, have been preparing and serving its humble cousin – our good old ‘Haldi Wala Doodh.’ (turmeric milk) as a standard remedy for cold-cough and even when we’ve been hurt sternly reprimanding - “Gulp it down quickly, it’ll do you and your wound a world of good!”

A thorough recce of your pantry will reveal a plethora of ingredients for the perfect, side-effect-free and permanent cure to malaises ranging from the common cold to constipation. And the best part is there’s not much rocket science involved in preparing these too! 

Take the example of our down-to-earth ‘ukalo’ – a herbal decoction prepared from cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, mace, dry ginger, mulethi et al. Ukalo has assumed significant proportions as an immunity booster, mood enhancer, energizer, respiratory tract cleaner and protector from viral diseases during the on-going global pandemic. 

So here’s sharing some magical remedies or so-called ‘gharelu nuske’ from granny’s kitchen for common ailments -

Towards Robust Bone Health

Add Ragi (Finger millet) flour to your diet to strengthen your bones – strongly recommended for those suffering from arthritis. Rich in calcium, no small wonder that Ragi is given to toddlers during their growing years! Another option for stronger bones is Aloe Vera.

To Alleviate Constipation

A negative downside of today’s stressful and fast-paced life is constipation. To mitigate this include high fibre food in your diet. There are options galore say for instance - daliya (broken wheat), oats, amaranth flour, nuts, leafy vegetables, fruits et al. 

Cough and Cold Ailment

Do you end up with a cold at any small seasonal change? Worry not! Granny’s got multiple remedies for you from her pantry –

• Consume half teaspoon ginger juice with one teaspoon of honey to keep the cough at bay
• Boil around two sticks of liquorice (mulethi) in 3 cups of water until the quantity is reduced to half and drink it at regular intervals to cure a persistent cold
• Add herbs like – ginger, cardamom, basil, mint, liquorice and cloves – to your daily cuppa

Dental Pain

Ease your toothache by rubbing clove oil in the affected area or chewing on a clove for instant relief

Detox, Detox and Detox

Remember to detox your body on a weekly basis by gulping down half a glass of Aloe Vera juice with half teaspoon of basil juice

For Sturdy Digestion

Boil - 5-6 basil leaves + half inch ginger + 2 cups of water for fifteen minutes or until the water quantity gets reduced to half. Drink this herbal concoction twice a day for enhanced digestion.

Garlic for Gout

Chew 2 to 3 garlic pods on an empty stomach to relieve your gout

Enhancing your Memory

With growing age, the nervous system weakens leading to bouts of forgetfulness which are treated as a part and parcel of growing old. Adding Brahmi and Ashwagandha to the diet would go a long way in ensuring a better memory. Another time-tested alternative is consuming 5 to 8 soaked and peeled almonds on a daily basis. A good question to ask here would be - Why soaked almonds? Well elementary dear Watson! The brown, rough skin of the almond contains an enzyme inhibitor which human body cannot break down, making digestion difficult and restricting the body from absorbing its nutrients. Soaked and peeled almonds, on the other hand, facilitate absorption.

For those Excruciating Pains and Aches

Elders claim that if you’ve suffered an injury then although it may get cured the pain returns to haunt you in every winter! For such regular pains and normal aches up the turmeric quotient of your daily meals; alternatively consume turmeric milk before tucking-in at night

Recipes - Two Broths 

Foodism shares with you recipes of two broths to strengthen your immunity during the on-going season -

Vegan Immunity Soup

Ingredients:

2 Gooseberries (Amla)

Half Chopped Broccoli/Cauliflower

1 Chopped Capsicum

1 Chopped Carrot

Half Chopped Radish

1 Cup Chopped Spinach

2 Chopped Tomatoes

Half Teaspoon Turmeric Powder

2 Tablespoon - Powder of Flax (Alsi) Seeds powder

2 Cups of Water

Salt and Pepper – As per Taste 

Method:

• Add all the ingredients to a pressure cooker 
• Cook it on high flame till there’s a whistle 
• Simmer on low flame for another two minutes 
• Switch off the flame and let the pressure release
• Once the lid is off, mash the veggies 
• Strain the soup and keep the fibre aside 
• Serve hot

Paya Soup/Bone Broth

Ingredients:

250 Grams Paya (Goat Trotters)

1 Medium Onion Chopped

1 Tablespoon Chopped Ginger

1 Tablespoon Chopped Garlic

1 Green Chilli – Chopped

1/3 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder

1 Tablespoon Chopped Coriander

Half Teaspoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Ghee

4 Cups Water

Whole Spices - 5 Whole Black Peppers; 1 Bay Leaf; 1 Inch Cinnamon Stick; 2 Green Cardamom Pods; 1 Black Cardamom; and 5 Black Cloves

Method:

• Place ghee in a pressure cooker
• Add the whole spices and cook for one minute
• Then add the ginger, garlic, onions and fry them till they become soft 
• Add the Paya followed by turmeric and salt 
• Fry for 2 minutes
• Add water and pressure cook on high flame till you get the first whistle
• Then simmer and cook for another 35 minutes
• Remove the cooker off the heat and let the pressure release
• Strain the soup and separate the Paya pieces 
• Add coriander leaves to garnish 
• Add the Paya in the soup 
• Your soup is ready to be lapped up!

The next time someone in the family has a cold instead of opting for a tablet try giving them herbal decoctions and view the impact. But yes all remedies (be they herbal or otherwise) are effective only when we opt for some behavioural changes like – staying happy; meeting optimistic people; and most importantly making peace with things and people that we cannot change.