Medicinal porridge need not be restricted to karkkidakam season: Here's why

Good health is nurtured through a consistent routine that includes nutritious food, a healthy lifestyle and exercise. Ayurveda has been recommending porridge or kanji, enhanced with herbs and medicines, as a means of treatment and immunity for centuries. It aims at turning normal food and liquids into a form of medicine that could cure diseases. Dr Shabu Pattambi, Medical Officer at Mathoor Ayurveda Hospital, explains. 

Are all medicinal porridges same?
The ingredients of the medicinal porridge are determined by analysing one’s age, health condition and diseases. An entire chapter in the Charaka Samhita Soothra Sthanam has been dedicated to herbal porridges. Interestingly, more than 28 varieties of herbal porridges are mentioned in this chapter. Porridges made with different ingredients are recommended for diseases like fever, diarrhoea and other health conditions. 

Not a standalone cure
Although the herbal porridges are made using a number of herbs and medicinal plants, it doesn’t mean that the porridges alone could cure diseases. Ayurveda uses herbal porridges as a supplement that can be taken alongside medicines to improve health. 

Porridges that increase immunity have been popular here for ages. Digestion slows down during Karkkidakam, which also marks the peak of monsoon. The change in weather adversely affects the body’s natural immunity, exposing the body to diseases and infections. Karkkidaka kanji or herbal porridges became popular in Kerala as an easy and effective remedy for many diseases, easing digestion and improving immunity. 

Not just for Karkkidakam
Herbal porridges shouldn’t be had only in Karkkidakam. It is important to introduce a dietary system that involves making porridges with appropriate medicines and herbs as part of the treatments. Seek the advice of an Ayurvedic health practitioner to make your own herbal porridge.