Karpooravali (Coleus Amboinicus)- Remedy for Cough and Cold

    With the Covid-19 case increasing every day, most of us tend to get worried about catching that disease. Honestly, I myself wondered so many times if the cough and flu I had were actually the symptoms. Thankfully, they weren't and I just caught a regular cold. I do have sinus but obviously, I'm not gonna go to the clinic all the time right. So what how do I find a quick and easy remedy that saves time and money? 

    The answer was right behind my garden. I learned this remedy from my late grandma and dad. And yes, my family is very fond of traditional medicines. 

    To make this remedy, you'll need: 

*2-4 leaves of Karpooravali 
*some peppercorn (depending on the level of spiciness)
*ginger
*jaggery or honey

Ingredients Captured by Abia Iris

    Method:

1. First, bring to boil 2 cups of water.

2. Then, wash the leaves properly and be sure to wash both sides of the leaves as there might be insects' egg sticking on them.

3. Chop some ginger and jaggery. Jaggery is actually cane sugar which is rather healthier than regular white sugar. The function of the jaggery in this drink is to add sweetness. If you don't have jaggery, no worries. You can substitute it with honey. Who like bitter medicine rite, ugh...

4. Now grab a grinder and mash the leaves, peppercorn and ginger until you get a paste. You don't need to add water as your leaves are already wet. And the paste doesn't have to be perfect. Just mash until you see this juicy paste which is actually from the leaves and ginger. 

A paste of Karpooraveli leaves, ginger and peppercorn Captured by Abia Iris

5. Ok remember you boiled 2 cups of water? Add the paste into the water and let it boil. To check if your drink is ready, just look at the colour of the leaves. It should be pale green. Once done, add the jaggery or honey to your drink according to the amount of sweetness you would like and enjoy your drink (but not too much la. Its supposed to be a remedy, not dessert).  

    So what's the benefit?

Karpooravali leaves (Coleus Amboinicus) Captured by Abia Iris

    Karpooravalli or Coleus amboinicus (its scientific name), is one of a home remedy that works when we get a cold and cough even for kids. It is a traditional herb in Tamil Nadu widely used for medical purposes. They smell nice, like a minty kinda smell.

    This drink relieves cough, cold and chest mucus. Apart from that, this leaves works other wonders such. The juice from the crushed leaves is used to relieve insect bites, headache, conjunctivitis, constipation, digestion problems, weight reduction and relieves the muscle. You can just eat the leave as it is, no kidding. Just wash and chew on it.

    You can also make a remedy without water. Just crush some leaves, add some pepper and honey. Mix it well to form a syrup. The consumption is 2 teaspoons and 4-5 times a day until you get good relief. This works well for both adults and children. For kids below 2 years, make the syrup without adding pepper (just the extract from the leaves and honey). The consumption is 1 drop for infants under 1 year and 1 teaspoon for children above 1 year and should be given 3-4 times a day till they are relieved. However, for kids below 2 years, I would suggest you refer to your doctor first as kids are very fragile, unlike adults. 

    I hope those of you out there who are having a cough or cold would try out this simple and healthy remedy. Good luck trying and get well soon.