Cold remedy for Toddler | Kashayam

Do you have a sore throat? Kashayam is a time-tested Indian remedy for the common cold and cough. The best part is, it is toddler-approved!

It’s flu season, here in the US. My toddler and I caught the sniffles last week and he became super clingy. The doctors don’t prescribe any medicines for the common cold, and we are always on the lookout for holistic remedies to recover from cold.

Bhargav and I have been drinking this kashayam religiously for the past decade, whenever we were down with cold. It gives an immediate relief from sore throat and helps in dispelling the congestion.

This concoction is a blend of powerful Indian spices, that targets throat inflammation, and gives you immediate relief from sore throat. I know it’s not fun spending time in the kitchen when you’re under the weather. This is a super easy recipe that you can whip up in under 10 minutes, with only 5 minutes of hands on time.

I normally drink a cup after every meal, and that does the trick. I was beyond elated when my toddler asked for more! Trust me, toddlers are very picky, and you usually don’t get asked for more unless they really like it.

Other toddler-approved recipes I’ve posted so far are:

Best Guacamole recipe

Ingredients

Coriander seeds

Coriander seeds have vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid, and beta-carotene which help in curing the common cold.

Whole Black Pepper

Black pepper has expectorant properties that help reduce symptoms associated with cough and cold. You’ll need whole black pepper and not black pepper powder.

Cumin seeds/Fennel seeds

Cumin seeds and Fennel seeds have amazing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, to soothe your sore throat.

Cardamom/Cloves

Adds a wonderful flavor to your kashayam. You’d think you’re sipping on a dessert!  

Honey

Any honey should work. However, to get the optimum benefit, use raw honey if possible. Honey is the best-known remedy for sore throat. (Do not feed honey to children below 1 year. Ask your doctor before giving honey to your child.) Always add honey to lukewarm liquids.

Ginger

Ginger has been used as a cold remedy for centuries, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. Use fresh ginger.

Tulsi leaves (Indian basil)

Tulsi has been used in India for centuries, to treat colds and coughs. You can skip it if you don’t have it handy. I have a Tulsi plant at home, and pluck fresh leaves to make this drink.

Step-by-step Method:

Heat a pan and add coriander seeds, whole black pepper, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cardamom and cloves, in the order mentioned.

Dry roast it for 4-5 minutes. Don’t let them burn. They just need to be nicely roasted.

Let it cool down completely.

Add the roasted spices, and turmeric powder in a blender (I used my spice blender) and blend it to a powder. It doesn’t have to be a super fine powder.  

Crush a one-inch piece of ginger and keep it aside. Take 3 cups of water in a saucepan and add 3 tsp of ground powder, 3-4 tulsi leaves, and crushed ginger to it. Once it starts boiling, let it boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Filter the decoction, and add ¼ cup of milk, to tone down the strong flavor. You can use dairy or non-dairy milk. Both should work without any difference in taste.

Let the kashayam cool down to lukewarm. Add 3 tsp of honey to the filtered kashayam. You can adjust the quantity of honey to suit your sweet preference. Do not skip it. Raw honey helps soothe sore throat.

If you want to drink the kashayam hot, skip honey and add jaggery to sweeten it. (You should never add honey to hot liquids).

Drink this wonderful cold remedy warm, and say goodbye to your cold!