As the winter chill takes over, many continue to adhere to home remedies that do not cost a fortune. While experts urge the need to take precautions and seek timely medical advice to avoid serious troubles, some of these remedies do come in handy to provide temporary relief. One such, according to chef Meghna Kamdar is ginger-jaggery candy that can be made right at home. “Another perfect home remedy for the winter season; especially for chronic cough and cold. It will help keep your body warm, plus many other benefits of ginger, ghee, jaggery, sesame seeds, turmeric, and black pepper,” said Kamdar.

How to make it?

Ingredients

100g – Ginger
200g – Jaggery
1tsp – Ghee
Pinch of salt
1/2tsp – Turmeric powder
Crushed black pepper
Roasted sesame seeds

Method

*Keep a Ginger knob on a direct gas flame
*Turn it occasionally until the skin is charred
*Leave aside in the bowl of water to cool down
*Remove its black skin with the help of a knife
*Shred the ginger and keep it aside
*Further heat one teaspoon of ghee in a pan
*Add 200 grams of jaggery and stir continuously on slow to medium flame until it melts
*Add a pinch of salt
*Add 1/2tsp turmeric powder
*Add crushed black pepper
*Add shredded ginger and mix it well
*Stir and cook until the mixture turns thicker
*Take a drop of this mixture, let it slightly cool down, and try to roll it to check if it’s done. Transfer this mixture to a plate greased with ghee. Apply a little ghee on your palms and start making small balls out of this mixture. Roll them into roasted sesame seeds.

“Enjoy this super healthy and tasty ginger-jaggery candy this winter,” said Kamdar.

How to have it?

Don’t chew it; let it melt in the mouth on its own to get maximum benefits. It smoothens your throat as well, said Kamdar. “As the candy gently melts in the mouth, it works to smoothen the throat, providing relief from irritation and promoting a soothing effect,” said Sushma PS, chief dietician, Jindal Naturecure Institute.

Does it work?

Ginger jaggery combination is proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. “This helps in seasonal colds and flu. There are also antitussive and cough suppressant benefits attributed to this combination,” said Dr Dilip Gude, senior consultant physician, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad.

Sesame seeds are a good source of essential nutrients such as zinc, which supports the immune system. “Their inclusion in the candy enhances its nutritional profile, contributing to overall health,” said Sushma.

Ghee, or clarified butter, contributes to the candy’s ability to coat the throat, creating a protective layer. This coating action helps alleviate irritation and provides relief to a sore throat, said Sushma.

Turmeric contains curcumin, known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Sushma said that it can assist in fighting off infections, reducing the severity and duration of winter illnesses.

Black pepper has respiratory benefits and may help relieve congestion. “It adds a subtle spiciness to the candy, contributing to the overall soothing effect on the throat,” said Sushma.