✦ Home remedy
Coriander & Dry Ginger Drink (Koththamalli) for Common Cold
The most common Sri Lankan household drink for the onset of a cold, mild body ache and a blocked nose.
Not yet reviewed by a physician
Traditionally used for
- Common cold
- Blocked or runny nose
- Mild body ache
- Mild sore throat
Ingredients
| Coriander seedsCoriandrum sativum · Dhanyaka · Seeds (lightly roasted and crushed) | 15 g (about 2 tbsp) |
| Dry gingerZingiber officinale · Shunthi · Dried rhizome | 5 g (thumb-tip piece) |
| Water | 2 cups (about 500 ml) |
| Kithul jaggery (optional)Caryota urensOmit if diabetic | 1 small piece |
Preparation
- Dry-roast the coriander seeds until fragrant, then crush them coarsely. (3 min)
- Crush the dry ginger.
- Add both to 2 cups of water and simmer on low heat until reduced to about 1 cup. (15 min)
- Strain and drink warm, with a bite of jaggery if desired.
How to use
- How it is used
- By mouth
- Adults
- 1 warm cup
- Children
- Age 5–12: half a cup. Under 5: ask a physician first.
- How often
- Twice daily (morning and night)
- Maximum
- 3 days — then see a physician if not better
Precautions
- Diabetics should leave out the jaggery.
- Reduce the ginger if you have gastritis or acid reflux.
See a physician if
- Fever lasts more than 3 days or goes above 39°C (102°F)
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Any fever in a baby under 3 months
- During dengue season: fever with vomiting, abdominal pain or bleeding
Important note:
The information here is shared only to pass on traditional knowledge. It is not a specific medical treatment or a guarantee of recovery. Always consult a qualified doctor about any health condition.