This traditional home remedy for cold and cough is a simple yet powerful drink made using everyday Indian kitchen ingredients like jeera (cumin seeds), black pepper, and doddapatre (sambara balli / Cuban oregano) leaves. These ingredients are well known in Ayurveda and home-based remedies for their warming, antimicrobial, and congestion-relieving properties.
Black pepper helps clear nasal congestion and soothes throat irritation. Jeera supports digestion and boosts immunity, which is especially helpful when the body feels weak during a cold. Doddapatre leaves are widely used in Indian households for cough, throat pain, and respiratory discomfort because of their natural anti-inflammatory and soothing qualities.
This herbal drink is naturally strong and slightly spicy, which helps stimulate circulation and provide warmth to the body. It is best consumed fresh and warm, twice a day, especially during seasonal changes, mild cold, throat irritation, or cough. No sweetener is necessary, but you may add good-quality jaggery or honey if preferred. Always add honey only when the drink is warm and not boiling to preserve its natural benefits.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 tsp jeera / cumin seeds
- 8 to 10 black pepper
- Few doddapatre / sambara balli / Cuban oregano leaves (chopped)
- 1 cup water
- Honey or good-quality jaggery (optional)
Method:
- Take cumin seeds and black pepper in a mortar and pestle. Crush them into a coarse powder to release their natural oils and aroma.
- In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water.
- Add the crushed pepper and cumin mixture to the water.
- Add the chopped doddapatre leaves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for about 2 minutes so the flavors and medicinal properties infuse well into the water.
- Turn off the heat and allow it to cool until it reaches a comfortable drinking temperature.
- Strain if and drink
- If adding honey, make sure the drink is warm and not hot before mixing it in. Stir well and consume immediately.
- Drink this herbal remedy twice a day for relief from cold, cough, throat irritation, and mild congestion.