From Tulsi to Turmeric: Use These 5 Ingredients To Heal Naturally

Here are 5 common ingredients found in the kitchen that can cure diseases from common cold to insomnia.

Before you reach out to medicines in your medicine cabinet; head towards your kitchen! An Indian kitchen is a paradise for spices that we use in our daily diet. But did you know that some of those very spices in your kitchen are packed with remarkable healing powers; so much that you will not need to pop that pill to ease a sore throat or a headache.

It is a known fact that frequent consumption of pain killers and antibiotics can lead to severe side effects. So let’s go the traditional way and look at some healing spices that can alleviate common ailments without you rushing to visit the doctor. Some of these spices are good to be administered to children as well, which I do follow as a mum to twins.

In most cases, it is always recommended to turn to natural remedies to cure minor ailments. Since time immemorial Ayurveda has recommended the use of plants and herbs to cure all kinds of ailments. Our generation isn’t the patient kind; we would rather pop that pill to suppress the headache than brew a healing Kashaya or a tea to feel better.

5 Ingredients With Healing Powers in Your Kitchen

Don’t you think it’s time we chose the alternate healing path that can provide relief in a healthier way? So stock up on these ingredients (if you don’t already have them) to make your own natural healing remedies.

Black Pepper

Black Pepper is an amazing ingredient that works remarkably to get rid of a cold and sore throat. A few years ago when I had a severe cough, my grandmother made these wonderful pepper- jaggery candies that were not just yummy but also helped soothe that throat.

Take a tablespoon of black pepper corns and one and a half tablespoons of organic jaggery. Crush the black pepper corns till it is just short of a fine powder. Crumble the jaggery and mix with the ground black pepper. Shape them into tiny rounds and store in an airtight container. Eat these when you have that slight itch in your throat to get instant relief.

Ginger

We all love the adrak waali chai. Nothing better to kick start the day or add that boost of energy when you are low energy levels. But did you know that ginger acts like a wonderful decongestant when you have a cold?

Grate 1 inch of ginger and add to 200 ml of water. Add a pinch of turmeric and quarter teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Take off the gas and let it steep for 5 minutes. Strain, add a teaspoon of organic honey to this and sip to ease the congestion.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that can be used both topically and internally. It is used topically to heal small wounds and cuts. When used internally, it is generally brewed as a tea to help ease a cold and alleviate upper respiratory tract infections.

This is a classic recipe coined by Ayurveda as “Golden Milk”. It is safe for kids as well as adults when you are hit by that sore throat. Add 1/4 spoonful of turmeric powder to a cup of boiling milk and let it simmer for a minute. If you are giving this to kids, strain it or just sip it while it’s still hot to provide relief to your aching throat.

Nutmeg

The only use of nutmeg for me was to use it as a spice in the flavourful curries and biryanis I made. When I got pregnant, my insomnia was at its peak. And needless to say my doctor was strictly against me having any sorts of medicines to sleep. When it got a bit too much to handle, he suggested this recipe.

Grate the nutmeg. Add about 1/4th teaspoon of nutmeg to a cup of warm milk and drink it at least 30 minutes before you sleep. It worked like a charm and I slept really well all through my pregnancy without worrying about my insomnia!

Basil

I grow basil as a potted plant in my balcony. I have an array of plants that I love to tend to; trust me watching blooming flowers and ready to pluck spices from the pots are something that I love! Of course, freshly chopped basil on some spaghetti is what my boys love. But I do grow it for other reasons too!

Did you know that basil is an excellent skin cleanser?

As someone who thrives on DIY recipes, you must try this healing face pack if acne is your forever companion! In a mortar and pestle add a bunch of freshly plucked basil leaves and make it into a paste. Add to this a teaspoon of sandalwood powder and some pure rose water to make a runny paste. Apply on your face and neck and wash with cold water after 10 minutes. Not only does this face mask prevent acne but also helps to remove toxins from your skin.

We live in a fast-paced world. The need of the hour is to slow down and opt for some traditional healing remedies that work much better than over-the-counter medicines. Traditional healing remedies are slowly finding its way back into our lives, because over the years people realize that home remedies are a better choice.

Another reason why I prefer to choose home remedies is because I know exactly what is going into my body and how it’s healing me. These are some of the healing spices that I would recommend for you to use. Do you know of any more spices with remarkable healing powers?

(Pratibha Pal spent her childhood in idyllic places only fauji kids would have heard of. She grew up reading a variety of books that let her imagination wander and still hopes to come across the Magic Faraway Tree. When she's not rooting for eco-living or whipping up some DIY recipes to share with her readers, Pratibha is creating magic with social media. You can view her blog at www.pratsmusings.com or reach to her on Twitter at @myepica.)