With the deadly Corona virus pandemic rampaging across the world and with no cure or vaccine in sight, the only way is to hope that our body’s immune system is strong enough to fight it back. Indian traditional home medicine has a range of recipes for boosting our immune system with ordinary ingredients/spices, that can be easily mixed and made at home. Kaadha is one of them. There are multiple variations of it, made across India. Here are two. The first one is from the YogiChef (Didi Anuprabha) who drinks this potent concoction in remote and beautiful New Zealand, to stay fit and flu-free all year around, especially during winter. The 2nd one is from Pratyush who learnt from the YogiChef and made some modifications to the process and added in some more ingredients. The former is a quick and easy method and the latter is a bit drawn out. Both are strong immunity boosters that should give you a fighting chance of defeating this pesky virus if and when it comes. Drink it 3-4 times per week, while self-isolating and even when you have no symptoms. But please do consult a doctor if you actually catch the virus.
YOGICHEF’s Version
Hello Everyone. Hope you all are doing well at home and taking care of yourself and others in this virus crisis. I know everyone must be drinking something to boost your immunity . I thought to share what I drink here… 🙂
Ingredients (for 2 cups)
Essential: Water (2-1/2 cups), Ginger – small piece (about the size of a thumb), Black Pepper powder (1/2 teaspoon), Turmeric powder (1/2 teaspoon, if you have raw turmeric, then crush a little piece), Honey (1 teaspoon, optional if you have diabetes)
Optional: Tulsi Leaves (Holy basil – 5-6 leaves), Cumin seeds (1/2 teaspoon)
How to make
Keep a saucepan/pan on the stove. Put water. Crush the ginger and put into in the water. Boil it for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add turmeric, cumin seeds, tulsi leaves, black pepper powder, mix it and boil it for a few more minutes. Switch off the gas. Keep it to cool down for 3 to 4 minutes. Then strain and your Kaadha is ready to drink. It’s always good not to drink too hot. If you want you can add little honey on top to taste. I’ll suggest to drink at least 3-4 days a week to boost your immune system.
That is my kaadha, most of the time I drink in Dunedin in winter. The only difference is I put molasses or honey to sweeten. But sometimes it is good to drink without sweet 🙂 Stay at home and take care

PRATYUSH’s Version
Ingredients (for 2 cups)
Essential: Water (2-1/2 cups), Ginger – small piece (about the size of a thumb), Black Pepper whole (1 teaspoon), Turmeric powder (1/4 teaspoon, if you have raw turmeric, then crush a little piece), Honey (1-2 teaspoons, optional if you have diabetes)
Optional: Cinnamon (1-2 long pieces), Bay Leaf (1), Cloves (3-4 pieces), Tulsi leaf (Holy basil – 5/6 leaves), Star Anise (1)
How to make
Put chopped ginger, Whole black pepper, cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, Tulsi leaves & Star Anise into the water in a pan. Keep it as such for at least 12 hrs (or 24 hrs) so that all the essential medicinal elements from the spices slowly and thoroughly seep out into the water.
When you are ready to drink, bring the concoction above to boil, in the pan. Separately, in the cups, put 1-2 pinch of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of honey (raw honey better than pasteurised) in each cup. Pour the boiling concoction (through a strainer) into the cups and then stir thoroughly. Allow to cool to lukewarm temperature and then drink up.
Sometimes I make 4-6 cups and just drink 1 cup a day and let the concoction sit, as it draws out even more of the medicinal ingredients every day.
Honey has known anti-bacterial properties. It might not be effective against a virus but some hospitals are reporting that many covid patients are dying of bacterial infections that sneak in while the body is fighting on another front (the virus)


Disclaimer: The above recipes for boosting the immune system, are not cures/treatment for any disease. They are meant as a general supplement for well being of the body. Do not exceed any of the ingredients and stick to the measurements mentioned above. In case of actually catching the virus, please consult a doctor and follow all advised steps of your local government health officials