admin
Has this winter got you wrapped up in quilts and wracking up insane room heater bills? If you are struggling with a runny nose, cold and cough, Diljit Dosanjh’s desi recipe will help you beat the winter blues. A traditional Punjabi home remedy for cold, the singer took to social media to share a recipe for besan ka sheera that helps him stay fit and healthy.
Story continues below this ad
By roasting garbanzo or chickpea flour (besan) in ghee, adding milk and jaggery powder, Dosanjh made a quick sheera — to be served piping hot and consumed before bed to soothe throat and nasal tract irritation.
Decoding the health benefits
Indianexpress.com spoke to Dr. Yashawant Kumar – Founder and CEO, Benefic Nutrition and found out the health benefits of this drink and understood what each ingredient in this traditional recipe does.
Story continues below this ad
Almonds: Packed with healthy fats, proteins, and vitamin E, almonds add nutritional value and mild nourishment. They are a good source of energy but not a direct decongestant.
Ghee: Ghee can help soothe and lubricate irritated throat. It can calm mucosal membranes and offer symptomatic relief.
Story continues below this ad
Besan: Besan is not directly therapeutic, nevertheless it has Vitamin B₁ and antioxidants, which can help with fatigue during sickness.
Milk: Milk can comfort and calm the body. When taken along with spices and ghee, it can help clear mucus and fall asleep better.
Turmeric Powder: Turmeric is proven to have antiviral, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. The curcumin in haldi has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce inflammation.
Story continues below this ad
Black Pepper Powder: When black pepper is taken along with turmeric, it can help with the absorption of curcumin by the body. Black pepper also has antibacterial properties and can help relax sore throat.
Cardamom Powder: Cardamom has a long history of serving as an ingredient in various Ayurvedic medicines for respiratory discomfort. It can help with digestion and congestion.
Diljit's Instagram story (Source: Instagram/@diljitdosanjh)
Ginger Powder: Ginger is known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can soothe throat inflammation and suppress cough.
Story continues below this ad
Caesar: There is no evidence of kesar helping to relieve cough. However, it might offer a warm thermogenic effect.
Jaggery Powder: The sweet taste of jaggery helps in improving palatability during illness. It may also help soothe the throat and clear mucus.
Can it help cure cold and cough?
According to Dr Kumar, turmeric, black pepper, and ginger can help reduce inflammation and congestion. “Almonds and besan can provide much needed nutrients to the body and can relieve fatigue. They also aid digestion and improve energy levels during illness. Milk and ghee can help relax and fall asleep better,” he explained.
Story continues below this ad
However, he warned that this remedy is not proven clinically and is not a scientific cure. The ingredients in this recipe only offer temporary symptomatic relief and comfort. “Clearly, it’s a clean home remedy with its ingredients rooted in Indian Ayurveda,” said Dr Kumar, adding that the drink indeed has the potential of providing a soothing and calming experience to the body during cold and cough.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
