Betel leaves are well known for reducing Respiratory issues. Betel leaves are helpful in the treatment of simple cold & cough to acute chest congestion and asthma.
The below recipe makes a good concoction for cold, congestion & breathing issues. Take it twice a day for 3 days. As betel leaves have analgesic properties, the body pain endured during cold will also be reduced & so you will get good relief. Do not have it when you have fever as betel leaves generate warmth in the body, which might increase your temperature further..
Pregnant ladies can take this concoction once a day for 3 days when suffering from Respiratory issues. But avoid it during the first trimester as it might cause heat. Also, don’t take it more than one course(3 days) during the same trimester, as always moderation is the key. Breastfeeding moms can have it without such restrictions. Betel leaves aid in good digestion. But, eating betel nuts are not advised both during pregnancy as well as breastfeeding. For 1 to 3 years babies, pls check the Tips section at the end for measures.
Betel Tonic Recipe – Stepwise pics follow the below printable description:
- Betel Leaf - 1
- Peppercorns - 8
- Cumin seeds - ⅛ tsp
- Clove - 1
- Dry ginger powder - ¼ tsp
- Water - ½ cup
- Take a betel leaf and wash well. Roughly tear into pieces and add to a pan along with 8 peppercorns.
- Add ⅛ tsp jeera/cumin seeds, 1 clove and ¼ tsp sukku thool/dry ginger powder.
- Add ½ cup water and let it boil in medium flame until the water is halved.
- Strain it through a sieve. Squeeze the leaves to extract till the last drop. Yields ¼ cup concoction. Drink warm..
2.When you are making it for babies(above 1 year), halve all the ingredients. Use only 2 peppercorns and also add 1 green cardamom. Just give 1 tsp to 1 tbsp concoction.
3.Make it fresh and drink immediately. Do not store and/or reheat.
4.If you are taking it for cold/cough, you can include few tulsi and oregano/omavalli/sambaravalli leaves too along with betel leaf for faster relief.
Preparation – How to make Betel tonic?
1.Take a betel leaf and wash well. Roughly tear into pieces and add to a pan along with 8 peppercorns.
2.Add 1/8 tsp jeera/cumin seeds, 1 clove and 1/4 tsp sukku thool/dry ginger powder.
3.Add 1/2 cup water and let it boil in medium flame until the water is halved.
4.Strain it through a sieve. Squeeze the leaves to extract till the last drop. Yields 1/4 cup concoction.Drink warm..
Tips/Tricks in making Betel tonic:
- If you don’t have dry ginger powder, take a small piece of dry ginger, beat to crack, peel out the skin, crush the dried ginger using hand pestle and add.
- When you are making it for babies(above 1 year), halve all the ingredients. Use only 2 peppercorns and also add 1 green cardamom. Just give 1 tsp to 1 tbsp concoction.
- Make it fresh and drink immediately. Do not store and/or reheat.
- If you are taking it for cold/cough, you can include few tulsi and oregano/omavalli/sambaravalli leaves too along with betel leaf for faster relief.
Hi, could you please let me know if this drink could be given for 6 months+ babies?
No.. As mentioned in the post, this is for babies above one year.. You can try Tulsi tonic for babies above 6 months.. Here is the link – https://www.myhealthykiddo.com/tulsi-water-for-cold/