AYURVEDIC CHURNAS
Sitopaladi and Talisadi are two wonderful Ayurvedic churnas used to support the respiratory and immune systems. A churna is simply a spice blend. Bronchodilators and decongestants, they are great to have on hand for winter. The ingredients of Sitopaladi are: Bambusa arundinacea, the inner part of a species of bamboo; sugar, which is a demulcent; Pippali, Indian long pepper; Cardamom; and Cinnamon. Talisadi includes all of these plus Ginger, Black Pepper, and Talispatra, Abies webbiana. Sitopaladi is more useful for productive coughs and Talisadi has the edge for fevers. Both are good for modulating the immune system and clearing the head and chest of congestion and mucous. They are also useful for asthma.
They can be taken as a tea, as a powder chased by water, or mixed with honey and swallowed. A Practitioner friend sends her husband off to work in the winter with a cup of Sitopaladi tea as a preventative measure. To make the tea just dissolve 1/2 teaspoon Sitopaladi powder in a cup of hot water, stir and enjoy. Or you can take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of either and then drink a glass of water. To use honey, just mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of Sitopaladi or Talisadi.
Diabetics should not use these formulas because of the sugar content; however, you may be able to find a formula that does not contain sugar.
They can be taken as a tea, as a powder chased by water, or mixed with honey and swallowed. A Practitioner friend sends her husband off to work in the winter with a cup of Sitopaladi tea as a preventative measure. To make the tea just dissolve 1/2 teaspoon Sitopaladi powder in a cup of hot water, stir and enjoy. Or you can take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of either and then drink a glass of water. To use honey, just mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of Sitopaladi or Talisadi.
Diabetics should not use these formulas because of the sugar content; however, you may be able to find a formula that does not contain sugar.
