Kashaya - An Ayurvedic Winter Drink

Today's is a different post and has something to do with our individual health. As we settle into the cooler months of winter, our digestive fire goes down leading to vaat and kapha provoking disorders like lethargy, body ache, cough, cold, flu etc. To overcome these seasonal disorders, I have been giving my family an ayurvedic spice drink called "Kashaya" every morning before starting the day. Different families have different recipes for this drink, but given below is my recipe. Drink this first thing in the morning and all the seasonal ailments would remain at bay.

Ingredients

Water - 4 cups
Coriander Seeds - 1 Teaspoon
Whole Black Pepper - 5-6
Whole Cloves - 5-6
Cinnamon Stick - 1 inch
Fresh Ginger - 1/2 inch
Jaggery or Honey - Optional as sweetners

Method

Take 4 cups water in a pot
Add all the spices and bring it to boil
Let the tea boil till the water reduces to 2 cups
Remove from the stove and filter the tea removing all the spices
Add Jaggery or Honey to sweeten
Drink hot

Note

If you are adding honey as sweetener, let the tea cool to slightly above room temperature. Do not add honey to hot tea as heat destroys all the enzymes and naturally occurring vitamins in honey.