Remedies direct from kitchen

Garlic:

Prevents  joint  pain  decongests  Sinuses .Its  very  soothing  to  add  in  soups  and  chutneys  during  winter. It has a long healing  history throughout many cultures. Anti- viral, anti-bacterial, it promotes the growth of your white blood cells

Spices:

such as ginger, turmeric, garlic, cardamom, cloves, saffron, chilies, oregano ( ajwain ).
 Fresh Ginger  or dried  Ginger  (soonth)- The warming effect of ginger makes it a natural decongestant, making it the best remedy for cold. No wonder, your grandma asks you to drink ginger tea when you are down with cold. It can even cure disorders of circulatory and respiratory systems, allergies, heart problems, high cholesterol and sexual deficiencies.  Ginger  reduces joint  pain, fever, helps improves nausea, controls spasms of intestinal. Ginger stimulates digestive enzymes.  Its helps digest proteins. Add it  in  your  teas  vegetable  juices herbal  infusions  Traditional  winter  sweets and  pickles  have  a  fair  amount  of  ginger in  it.

Fruits:

That  are  high  in  vitamin  C ands antioxidents  are  winter  staples  – oranges, awala, 
grapes, strawberries  and  guavas . The natural sugar of grapes keeps the sweet cravings away, low-fat quick energy prevents sluggishness.   Strawberries have twice  the  amount of Vitamin  C than oranges and  Guavas six  time  more  and the Indian Gooseberry (awala)even  higher  preventing respiratory disorders. Unlike other antioxidants that defend only cell membranes Vitamin C patrols the watery areas of the body; the blood stream or the cell interiors.

Grains:

Brings  in bajra (millet), makkai (maize). Bajra and makkai generates heat and keeps the body warmer by taking up the metabolic rate. Bajra and maize, popular winter cereals, rich in iron and fibre.

Carrots:

They have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times .In  winter  it  is beneficial  drink  a  carrot  juice , it  prevents  Chronic  chest  infections  bronchiole as  well  as  asthma.

Fat is  an  absolute  must  it  regulates  body  temperatures add good fats  to  your  diet In form  of  walnuts almonds  Pistachios  ,sesame  seeds and  Cows ghee. Coconut oil is   has been used in India’s Ayurvedic medicine for over 4,000 years. Regular application of extra virgin coconut oil is the best moisturizer, prevents dry skin. Oil which is beneficial during winter is mustard oil, which has a warming effect. Rub it on your chest, prevents one catching a chill.

Another source of natural sugar is dry fruits. Dates and apricots always help during the winter to keep your sugar cravings at bay

Jaggery:

Add  it  in  hot  beverages  instead of sugar may it  be tea  coffee  or  herbal infusions or lemon  water. It contains minerals and vitamins which boost your immunity compared to white sugar which is empty in calories and  soothes  the throat . Ukala or Kada is a popular drink in winter in India sweetened with Jaggery, half milk half water, ginger powder and green tea leaves boiled in slow flame strained and consumed hot.

KADHA
Ingredients:
1 half inch pc cinnamon
2 pc cardamom
2 pc cloves
1 tsp organic honey
1 strand of saffron
1 glass water

Method:
Take water. Add all the ingredients. Boil well for 4-5 mins. Serve hot.

Saffron:

Excellent for chronic coughs used to flavor vegetables, rice, curries, and sweets.  Winter chills don’t leave you? Curl up with a warm drink. Create a sweet, warm honey infusion with ginger, saffron and cinnamon and snuggle up with a book. You will be consuming 22 amino acids, 28 minerals and 11 enzymes; Voila! your natural cure for coughs and colds. An ingredient of the Kashmiri teas like  Khawa.

Leafy Greens: 

Spinach, fenugreek, mustard greens natures’ boon to mankind.  A rich source of calcium, iron and vitamin C. In winter Have  it as  a  vegetable  soup  toss  in salads rice gravies and  lentils  Fenugreek is put into flour to make rotis and parathas , also sweets are made  prepared  with  jaggery and  Ghee. Protects against sore throat, asthma and respiratory infections

Ganthoda:

It is very popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan during the winter months.Regular consumption of ganthoda helps relieve muscular pain very common when the temperature falls. Its heat producing properties reduces problems of the respiratory tract.

Vegetable:

Carrots, radish, cauliflower,  brinjals,  sweet potatoes, yams are  available  in  abundance  as  the  temperature  cools  . Sweet potatoes are always available in plenty in winter; roasted, baked, or steamed; and are packed with beta carotene, antioxidants and antidepressants. High in antioxidant, it provides the little soldiers that protect our body from free radical damage and weaken the immune system. As the temperature drops, carrots turn redder, and thus the immunity booster – beta carotene increases.

Spices:

Cloves, cardamom, oregano used for flavoring in food.  Excellent for making Khadhas – traditional beverages, which are very warming in the body during winter.

Gunder:

Used popularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan.It is best consumed with ghee or dissolved in milk as powder. It is excellent for backaches which are quiet common in winter season

Turmeric:

very important spice known for its healing properties is anti-inflammatory as  well  as a  blood  purifier. Dried and cut it is made into pickles marinated in  lemon  juice  and  salt  , mixed with awala for juices, dried and powdered and used in curries and vegetables.

Gooseberry (Awala):

An  valuable ingredients of various alternative  medicines in India Ayurveda Unani Advantageous  to  take  a  juice  of daily increase  vigor and immunity .
Fresh  awala  blended  with  turmeric  or  added  to  your  carrot juice . The vitamin C increases more when the juice is extracted. The dried berry provides 1780 to 2660 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams.

RECIPES OF SOME POPULAR FOODS TO BE HAD DURING WINTER

CHIKKI
INGREDIENTS
1 cup crushed peanuts, roasted and ground
¾ cup jaggery
½ tsp ghee
METHOD-
Add ghee in a pan and heat. Add jaggery and let it turn light brown. Add the ground peanuts immediately and roll into chikki. Store it in an airtight container.


KHAJUR PAK
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Khajur (dates- red or black) finely chopped
½ cup mixture of nuts (pistachios and almonds).
METHOD
Cook dates in a pre-heated vessel until it becomes a pulp. Add the dry fruits to the mixture. Cool and cut it into pieces and serve


TURMERIC BREW
Ingredients
1 Glass hot water
½ tsp organic haldi powder
¼ tsp jaggery powder
¼ tsp cows ghee
Method:
Take water. Add all the ingredients. Boil well for 2 - 3 mins and  Serve hot.
So, for good health and better immunity, remember that nature has its reasons, so eat according to the seasons!

Source: Here and There