Spices That Heal Us

Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 93)

1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant used to give taste and color to our food. Try to recall the names of three spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and share your answers with your teacher.

(a) Corriander

(b) Cardamom

2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the last column. Share your answers with your teacher.

Let us think and reflect (Page 95)

1. Read the given lines and answer the following questions.

‘When I was a child, I learned them from my grandmother. She used to find cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.’

(a) Where exactly in the kitchen did her grandmother find the cures?

Grandmother found the cures in her kitchen among the spices she used in her cooking.

(b) Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.

Cough and common cold.

(c) What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?

Grandmother was affectionate towards her grandchildren.

2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.

Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank water in the morning to manage sugar levels and body weight.

3. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according to Daadi’s letter.

(a) Turmeric

(b) Ginger

(d) Black pepper

4. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends?

Daadi wanted Vikram and Vaibhavi to tell their friends about natural cures so they could also use them.

5. What was Daadi’s final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi?

Daadi told them to find the herbs and seeds in the kitchen and use them with an elder’s help.

6. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another?

Daadi was the oldest in the family. She learned about herbs from her elders and now taught her grandchildren about them.

7. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties of spices?

We should know about spices because they are easy to find at home and can help us feel better.

Let us learn (Page 96)

1. You have read the uses of spices in the letter. Complete the following table with the help of your teacher. You may use the words from the box given below.

2. Read the sentences given below.

You may share them with your friends.

You should try to remember these cures.

It can help to control cough and cold.

You must consult an elder before you use them.

I need to soak the methi seeds overnight.

I used to put heeng water on your tummy.

(a) The words given in Column A are helping verbs. Match the helping verbs in Column A with their functions in Column B.

Column A Helping Verbs	Column B Functions
1. May	a. past habit
2. should	b. suggestion
3. can	c. compulsion
4. must	d. advice
5. need to	e. ability
6. used to	f. necessity

The helping verbs in Column A are called modal verbs or modals. Each modal verb has a different function

may – compulsion

should – advice

can – ability

must – necessity

need to – suggestion

used to – past habit

(b) Complete the following dialogues with any four modals from the table given above. (Use a modal only once.)

Ajay: Anand had a fever last week. He (i) should take a good rest.

Suman: Yes, he (ii) must or he will fall ill again.

Ajay: He (iii) can take his grandmother’s natural cures.

Suman: Yes, we (iv) need to remember how effective they are.

Let us listen (Page 98)

The wonder herb: Tulsi is a shrub in the basil family. It is said that it was first found in north central India and now grows almost everywhere in India. It is known as ‘the Queen of Herbs’ and has many medicinal uses. Studies show that it helps to decrease glucose and cholesterol levels and improve blood pressure. It is commonly used to treat breathing and digestion disorders. As it has anti-bacterial properties, it is used in herbal hand sanitizers. It is used as a base for making herbal mouthwash and toothpaste for treating bad breath, gum disease, and mouth ulcers. Tulsi leaves can be washed and eaten raw. We can also add Tulsi leaves when we make tea. Tulsi tea helps in dealing with stress as it calms our minds. Tulsi protects us from a vast range of pollutants around us.

You will listen to the audio or narration once again. As you listen, check your answers. You will listen to the benefits of Tulsi (Holy Basil), a common herb. As you listen, complete the factsheet given below.

The Wonder Herb
Name	Tulsi	Family: (i) The Wonder Herb
First found in	(ii) North Central India
Now found	everywhere in India
Known as	The (iii) Queen of herbs
Can decrease levels of	(iv) glucose and cholesterol
Used to treat disorders of	breathing and (v) digestion
Is used to make	mouthwash and (vi) herbal toothpaste
We can have Tulsi leaves by	eating them (vii) raw or adding them while making (viii) Tea

Let us speak (Page 98)

1. Daadi told Vikram and Vaibhavi about many spices. Choose one spice and introduce yourself as that spice to the class.

Hello everyone! I am Turmeric. I am bright yellow and come from a plant. People use me in curries, rice, and other dishes. I give food a nice colour and flavour. I am also used in some home remedies. I am a useful spice found in many kitchens. I am proud to be a part of your kitchen and your wellness routine!

Thank you!

2. Before you speak, make a spicy headband for the spice you chose. Follow the steps given below.

Use the headband while introducing yourself as the spice.

Steps to Make a Spicy Headband

Cut out strips of paper: Take a sheet of paper and cut out strips that are 2 inches wide. You’ll need enough length to fit around your head.

Join the ends: Take the two ends of the paper strip and join them together to form a band that fits your head. You can use glue, tape, or staples to secure the ends.

Make a small card: Create a small card with a picture of turmeric. You can draw and color it, or print a picture of turmeric if you prefer.

Attach the card to your headband: Attach the card with the picture of turmeric to the front of your headband. You can use glue, tape, or staples to secure it.

3. Mention the following while speaking.

your name
part of the plant
colour
texture
taste
benefits

Hello Everyone!

I am Turmeric, known as Haldi.

Part of the plant: I come from the root of the Curcuma longa plant.

I am bright yellow.

My texture is rough.

I have a bitter and earthy taste.

I am not just used for cooking; I am a wonder spice with numerous health benefits! I can help improve energy levels and digestion, and I am great for reducing body pain. Many people use me as a natural remedy for various ailments. You might find me in curries, teas, and even beauty products.

I am proud to be a part of your kitchen and your wellness routine!

Thank you!

Let us write (Page 99)

1. Vikram’s grandmother shared two natural cures to cure his cough in her earlier letter. It was kept outside and a few drops of rain fell on it. Some of the words got washed away by the rain. Help Vikram complete the natural cures. Use the phrases given in the box below. There are two phrases that you do not need.

Natural Cures for Cough

To prepare this home remedy, you just need ginger and honey. First, take some leaves of basil, grate it, and take the juice from it. Take about two teaspoons of this juice and add about two and a half teaspoons of honey to it. Mix it properly. Warm the mixture slightly on very low heat for a minute. Then you can have it about three to four times a day to get relief from the cough. Have patience to see the effect as natural cures for cough with ginger and honey might take some time to show results.

(b) To prepare the second home remedy for cough, take about 10 grams of each long pepper, dried ginger, and basil leaves. Add four to six small cardamoms and grind them to get a fine powder. If you take this powder with an equal amount of honey, it will give you relief from cough.

2. Now, write a short paragraph on Tulsi based on the completed factsheet in ‘Let us Listen’.

Tulsi is the the queen of herbs. It is of great medicinal value. It helps to cure cough, cold, and fever at home.

Let us explore (Page 100)

1. Now that you have read about many spices, can you guess the spices based on the riddles given below?

(a) Heeng

(b) Ginger

2. Fill in the blanks to complete the riddle below. Write another riddle of your own and ask your family members to guess the spice.

(a) Brownish- ______ in colour,

and bitter to taste,

I help everyone,

to loose weight.

Who am I?

Answer: Fenugreek (methi) (b) I am yellow and brown

For (b), you can complete it like this:

(b) I am yellow and brown,
I add flavour to food,
I am used in curries,
And I can help with digestion.
Who am I?

Answer: Turmeric (haldi)

3. Close your eyes and learn about spices by smelling and feeling them.

The teacher may also provide a few different spices to try.

1. Turmeric (Haldi)

Smell: It has a warm, earthy smell.
Feel: It is a soft, fine powder.

2. Cumin (Jeera)

Smell: It has a strong, warm smell.
Feel: The seeds are small, hard, and dry.

3. Clove (Laung)

Smell: It has a strong, sweet smell.
Feel: It is small, hard, and rough.

4. Cardamom (Elaichi)

Smell: It has a sweet and pleasant smell.
Feel: It has a small, light, green pod with tiny seeds inside.

5. Cinnamon (Dalchini)

Smell: It has a sweet and warm smell.
Feel: It is hard, dry, and rolled like a small stick.