Soaked Aliv (Halim) Seeds in Warm Milk
A teaspoon of garden-cress seeds soaked in milk for a traditional iron-and-calcium drink. Not for pregnancy without a doctor, and not a cure for anaemia.
Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.
Small red seeds, a big tradition
Aliv, also called halim or garden-cress seeds, are tiny red-brown seeds eaten in Maharashtra and other regions, often as laddoos or soaked in milk. They contain iron, calcium and fibre, but a teaspoon gives only a small amount, so they are a food and not a treatment for anaemia or low calcium.
Soak one teaspoon of seeds in a little warm milk for 30 minutes until they swell and become gelatinous, then drink. Avoid in pregnancy unless your doctor approves, since traditional sources warn about it. Skip it if you have a thyroid condition, low blood pressure, or a milk or seed allergy. Start with a small amount, since the seeds can upset the stomach.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon aliv (halim) seeds
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- A little jaggery (optional)
How to prepare
- Soak the seeds in the warm milk for about 30 minutes.
- Stir well when they have swollen.
How to use
- Drink once a day, a few times a week.
- Add jaggery only if you like.
Helpful habits
- Start with half a teaspoon.
- Store the seeds in an airtight jar.
Precautions
- Avoid in pregnancy unless your doctor approves.
- Ask first with a thyroid condition, low blood pressure or allergies.
- A food, not a cure for anaemia or low calcium.
Frequently asked questions
Can aliv cure anaemia?
- No. It gives a little iron, so it is a food, not a treatment.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
- Only if your doctor approves.
How is it eaten otherwise?
- As laddoos or sprinkled over porridge.
