Spices that Heal Us – Class 6 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “Spices that Heal Us,” Class 6 English NCERT. This chapter teaches children about the traditional Indian knowledge of spices and their medicinal properties. It emphasizes the importance of natural remedies passed down through generations and encourages students to appreciate the healing power of common kitchen ingredients.

Word Meanings

Activities Before Reading

1. Write three spices used for cooking in your home.

Here are three common spices used in cooking:

• Turmeric (Haldi)
• Cumin (Jeera)
• Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)

2. Names of spices in different languages:

The spices mentioned in the table with their common Indian names:

• Turmeric – Haldi
• Fenugreek – Methi
• Cumin seeds – Jeera
• Asafoetida – Heeng
• Cinnamon – Dalchini
• Clove – Laung
• Ginger – Adrak
• Black pepper – Kali Mirch
• Fennel seeds – Saunf
• Cardamom – Elaichi

Let Us Think and Reflect

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

‘When I was a child, I learnt 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?

Her grandmother found the cures in the spice box (masala dabba) and among other common kitchen ingredients where various spices and herbs were stored.

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

Common cold and cough are examples of weather-related illnesses that often occur during seasonal changes.

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

The speaker had a close and loving relationship with her grandmother. She learned valuable traditional knowledge about natural remedies from her grandmother, showing that they spent time together and shared important life lessons.

2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.

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

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

The correct answer is (c) Fennel seeds. According to Daadi’s letter, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper help with body pain, but fennel seeds are mentioned only for digestion.

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

Daadi asked them to share the natural cures with their friends because she wanted to spread this valuable traditional knowledge about natural healing. She believed that this information could help others maintain good health using simple kitchen ingredients.

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

Daadi’s final advice was to consult an elder before using any spices for medicinal purposes. This shows her emphasis on safety and proper guidance when using natural remedies.

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

We know this because in the letter, Daadi mentions that she learned these remedies from her grandmother when she was a child, and now she is passing this knowledge to her grandchildren (Vikram and Vaibhavi). This shows how traditional knowledge flows from grandparents to parents to children.

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

We should know about the healing properties of spices because:

• They provide natural ways to treat common ailments
• These remedies are easily available in our kitchens
• They are part of our traditional knowledge and heritage
• They can be used as first aid before consulting a doctor
• They have fewer side effects compared to chemical medicines

Let Us Learn

1. Complete the table about spices:

2. Match the helping verbs with their functions and complete the dialogue:

a) Matching:

• may – suggestion
• should – advice
• can – ability
• must – compulsion
• need to – necessity
• used to – past habit

b) Completing the dialogue:

Ajay: Anand had fever last week. He should take good rest.
Suman: Yes, he must or he will fall ill again.
Ajay: He can take grandmother’s natural cures.
Suman: Yes, we need to remember how effective they are.

Let Us Write

1. Complete the natural cures for cough:

a) First cure:

To prepare this home remedy, you just need ginger and honey. First, take a piece of fresh ginger, grate it and take the juice from it. Take about two teaspoons of this juice and add about two and 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 cough. Have patience to see the effect as natural cures for cough with ginger and honey might take some time to show results.

b) Second cure:

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 to get a fine powder. If you take this powder with an equal amount of honey, it will give you relief from cough.

2. Write a paragraph about Tulsi:

Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, belongs to the mint family and was first found in India. Today, it can be found everywhere in our country. It is known as the queen of herbs due to its numerous medicinal properties. Tulsi helps in reducing stress levels and cholesterol. It is particularly effective in treating breathing problems and digestion issues. People commonly use it to make mouth wash and tea. You can consume Tulsi leaves either raw or by adding them while making tea. This versatile herb has been a part of Indian traditional medicine for thousands of years.

Let Us Explore

1. Guess the spices from riddles:

a) Answer: Asafoetida (Heeng) – Used for tummy problems

b) Answer: Ginger (Adrak) – Comes from underground and cures cold

2. Complete the riddle:

Brownish-yellow in colour,
and bitter to taste,
I help everyone,
to control their weight.
Who am I?
Answer: Fenugreek (methi)

3. Learn about spices through senses:

This is a practical activity where students learn to identify spices through their smell and texture while blindfolded. It helps develop sensory recognition of common spices.