Miryaso Kasai (Pepper Decoction / Kashayam) Home Remedy for Cough & Cold

Course Home Remedies

Cuisine Mangalorean

Keyword Herbal Medicine

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 7

Total Time 12

Servings person

Calories 20kcal

Author Shireen Sequeira

Ingredients

1-1/2 teaspoons peppercorns * see notes
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 inch piece dried ginger saunth
1 piece approx 20-25 grams or 1-1/2 tablespoons when coarsely powdered sugar candy (kodey sakkar / kadi shakkar / kallu sakkare) adjust to taste * see notes
1-1/2 cups water
3-4 tulsi holy basil leaves *optional

Instructions

Heat a skillet/tawa and dry roast the peppercorns and the cumin one by one on a low heat for a couple of minutes or till you get a nice aroma. Take care not to burn the contents.
Remove and cool on a plate for a couple of minutes and then coarsely crush/powder them using a mortar and pestle. You may use a spice grinder too.
Bring the water to a gentle boil and add the freshly ground spices, dry ginger and sugar candy and simmer for about 8-10 mins or till the concoction reduces to half.
Remove from heat and sip it hot. If you wish you can add a little milk.
The mixture when taken not more than three times a day is believed to cure a cold by reducing cough and expelling phlegm ('kapha')

Notes

This decoction is quite spicy so if you wish to have it without milk you may reduce the amount of peppercorns and make it mild.
If you do not have sugar candy skip it. After the decoction has cooled down add 1 teaspoon honey and consume it. Honey should never be heated or added to hot preparations.

Nutrition