Kaala Jeera Kashaya is one of the traditional post partum drinks from the South Canara region. Though one of the most unpleasant drinks, but comes with lot of health benefits!
It is kind of bitter tea, prepared from a variety of cumin seeds called locally as Kaala Jeera. Also known as Black Cumin , it is known to cure any kind of allergies (or ‘nanji’ as it is called locally) in the postpartum period.
‘Vernonia Anthelmintica’ as it is scientifically called, is not used in food preparation because of its characteristic bitter taste, but is used for medicinal purposes. Also known as Kali Jiri in some parts of India.
Served between the 2nd day until the 10th day after delivery, this tea is consumed any time during the day, but not more than an ounce per day.
I personally didnt have any issues drinking it as I looked it up as medicine which helps me recover faster!
Other interesting and healthy Postpartum Recovery Meal Plan(Introductory Page) – find here!.
This healthy drink, might interest you too!
Keeping it short and simple, here we go with the recipe.
Ingredients:
Water – 2 cups
Kaala jeera – 1.5 tsp.
Method:
- Boil the above two together and store it in a container. Boil it daily to preserve it.
Consume 1 ounce of it daily between 2nd and 10th day
Kaala Jeera Kashaya :
As part of the postpartum recovery meal plan preparation, one of the most important task was – looking out, if the ingredients that go into the dish, are locally available. I check in the local super market shelves, in Asian markets, Indian stores, Turkish stores around me and also online. My parents had sent me few goodies during pregnancy, along with which they had passed me some of these seeds which I could use in my postpartum care recipes. Nevertheless, one can purchase it from amazon.
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