This is probably my third post where I am raving about the lovely weather here in Dubai. However, this chilly weather has its flipside. Everyone around me is under the spell of the season – cough, cold, fever, sore throat and what have you. This compelled me to try out some home remedies for us adults at home while I rushed my baby for a quick doctor’s visit to deal with her impending cough.
Kasai (in Konkani) or Kashaya (in Kannada) are medicinal concoctions usually prepared by tossing a few handy kitchen ingredients and herbs together to prepare a strong brew that can kick the butt of some common ailments ranging from colds to aches and pains. However, one must not ignore problems that persist beyond 3-4 days as things could aggravate. Home remedies are essentially prepared to tackle ailments in their initial stages and they are usually harmless, without any side effects (unless you are using unconventional ingredients).
My friend Jenifer had suggested this recipe long ago when I was battling with an incessant cold. I had quickly jotted down the ingredients and forgotten the chit of paper somewhere in my file. Luckily last week I was able to dig it out and make this in a jiffy. Pepper is known to be excellent for colds. It can really take care of your runny nose and put it to rest. Sugar candy also known as ‘koday sakker’ in Konkani, ‘kallu sakkare’ in Kannada and ‘kadi shakker’ in Hindi is a known expectorant – it is effective in expelling phlegm (‘kapha’).
Please note that this is a very strong decoction, you may reduce the amount of pepper used if you want to sip on it without milk. But if you go according to the below recipe then you need to drink it in very small quantities with a little milk added for flavour.
Last but not the least, this recipe worked for me. I am still new to home remedies but love to try those that look uncomplicated and with minimum use of handy kitchen ingredients. That said, I don’t believe in self medication neither am I a qualified doctor or nutritionist so please use your discretion and visit your doctor if your problem persists for long.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 teaspoons peppercorns * see notes
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 inch piece dried ginger saunth
- 1 piece approx 20-25 grams or 1-1/2 tablespoons when coarsely powdered sugar candy (kodey sakkar / kadi shakkar / kallu sakkare) adjust to taste * see notes
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 3-4 tulsi holy basil leaves *optional
Instructions
- Heat a skillet/tawa and dry roast the peppercorns and the cumin one by one on a low heat for a couple of minutes or till you get a nice aroma. Take care not to burn the contents.
- Remove and cool on a plate for a couple of minutes and then coarsely crush/powder them using a mortar and pestle. You may use a spice grinder too.
- Bring the water to a gentle boil and add the freshly ground spices, dry ginger and sugar candy and simmer for about 8-10 mins or till the concoction reduces to half.
- Remove from heat and sip it hot. If you wish you can add a little milk.
- The mixture when taken not more than three times a day is believed to cure a cold by reducing cough and expelling phlegm ('kapha')
Notes
This decoction is quite spicy so if you wish to have it without milk you may reduce the amount of peppercorns and make it mild.
If you do not have sugar candy skip it. After the decoction has cooled down add 1 teaspoon honey and consume it. Honey should never be heated or added to hot preparations.
If you do not have sugar candy skip it. After the decoction has cooled down add 1 teaspoon honey and consume it. Honey should never be heated or added to hot preparations.
Disclaimer
The nutritional values are only indicative.
Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment & rate the recipe below or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @ruchikrandhap
I do a very similar thing but add fresh ginger, cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon to it too. No jeera though. It does wonder.
Thanks for this recipe. My mum used to give us this simple home made remedy when we were young. The timing couldn't have been better. My daughter now suffers from extreme cough and cold after having returned from her trip to Mumbai. Thank you so much, Shireen.
Very healthy drink
@ Soma: Your variation is interesting too! I must try it next time 🙂
@JBD: So happy that you found this recipe useful. Do try it and I hope your daughter gets well soon!
@Vimitha: Thanks so much dear
Kashayam or Kashaya is an very healthy drink. This article really captures Kashaya’s benefits with excellent pictures. There are many ready mixes available in market sutch as this one http://hemsfoods.com/products/kashaya-powder/ one can try it
Great recipe!
My mum makes kasai with cumin and coriander powder boiled with jaggery.
An aunt of mine adds pepper to it as well.
I recently added sweet hasil leaves to the drink (leaving the pepper out).
There are so many variations and each one of them so simple and tasty.
I will definitely try your recipe too 🙂
@ Radhika Naik: Thanks so much for your comment, good to know about other variations of this kashaya 🙂 Hope you like my version too!
Hi Shireen where can I find the dry ginger I'm Dubai
Hi Shireen where can I find dry ginger in Dubai
Hi Joanne: You will find it at Al Adil stores (I have seen it here). You can also check at Lulu (not sure if its available but you can check)
@Shireen: Feeling nostalgic!! My amma used to give us a similar concoction as kids however she made it with 1/2 milk 1/2 water, added haldi, peppercorns, tulsi, mint leaves (also at times) coarsely crushed fresh ginger and honey as khadi sakhar was not always available at home. As kids we loved the taste and relished it 😉 Loved the attention and the pampering
@ Anjali: I love your version of the kashaya! I need to try your recipe soon! Thanks for your comment 🙂 Happy New Year!
Hi, Can the powder be prepared and stored? If yes, how long?
Also, can the kashaya be prepared and stored?
@ Reshma N: Yes ofcourse you can store the powder in an airtight box in the fridge for upto 6 months to preserve its potency. Kashaya is ideally prepared fresh. I have never stored it, so I am not sure. You can try storing for upto 24 hours in the fridge, reheat and serve. Discard whatever is left after 24 hrs
Hi Shireen
Trying to save or print the pepper decoction unable to do so. I think some of your recipes don’t have the option to print or save. When you have a moment can you kindly check out the ones that don’t have it and add it in please. Much appreciated. Thank you kindly. God bless
Hi Ivy,
Sorry for the inconvenience. I have disabled right clicking as my content was being plagiarised. I have added the print option for this recipe. Kindly check and confirm.