Bengaluru: The Karnataka government wants people to drink kashaaya, a special Ayurvedic concoction, to build immunity against Covid-19, and has decided to deliver at the doorstep of residents all the herbs and spices needed to make the potion.
The Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation (KSMDMC) has tied up with India Post for the service that is starting from next week.
Consumption of kashaaya is encouraged to build immunity, and it has been a part of Karnataka’s food culture for years, said an official of a government hospital.
The kashaaya package costing Rs 600 each will contain all dry ingredients to make the concoction. According to the corporation, customers can place orders on the KSMDMC’s official website, and deliveries will begin from next week.
The move is expected to help spice farmers of the state. The KSMDMC had earlier helped mango farmers during lockdown by delivering nearly 100 tonnes of the fruit to people’s doorsteps.
Kashaaya is an infused drink made with a mix of herbs, roots and spices. People are being encouraged to drink this to boost immunity against Covid-19, said the government hospital official, who did not wish to be named.
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Benefit to spice farmers
Speaking to ThePrint, C.G. Nagaraj, Director of KSMDMC, said the initiative will be extremely beneficial to the state’s spice farmers.
The department said they will deliver a package containing ingredients — pepper, dry ginger, cumin, cinnamon, clove, garlic, turmeric and jaggery — to make the Kashaaya. This will not only help people make the concoction at home, but those spices can also be used for cooking purposes separately.
“One packet will weigh around 3 kg and cost Rs 600. The farmers from the Malnad region of Karnataka, famous for its spices, will be using our online platform to sell their products,” Nagaraj said.
“Just like others, spice farmers are also undergoing losses. Through this, we will be able to encourage sales. The success of the sale of mangoes through post was very encouraging,” he added.
Sources in government hospitals said Covid-19 patients are being treated with their regular medication along with Ayurvedic immunity-boosters such as chyawanprash and kashaaya to help them recover faster.
Apart from serving this to convalescing Covid-19 patients, police personnel are also being encouraged to consume it to boost their immunity as they are at a greater risk of contracting the virus as frontline warriors.
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