Pongal season brings us lot of fresh seasonal veggies and also raw turmeric and ginger rhizomes(botanically turmeric and ginger are underground horizontally growing stems which are referred to as Rhizomes). Its always a good option to use fresh turmeric in our recipes during this season.

We always celebrate Pongal in our native home at Thanjavur in a traditional way. When I saw the lush growth of Mudakaruthan Keerai/ Balloon Vine in our home garden, thought of whipping up a soup recipe with home grown fresh greens, turmeric and ginger rhizomes. A flavourful and highly medicinal soup which has innumerable health benefits and a best recipe to combat Cold and Cough. 
Benefits of Fresh Turmeric Rhizome: Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effectsand is a very strong antioxidant. It is used effectively in treating Arthritis and Vascular Thrombosis. A number of research studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin does have anticancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing. It has great effects on treating breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer cells.
Benefits of Mudakaruthan Keerai/ Mudakathan Keerai Commonly known as Balloon Vine Plant is a climber that bears trilobed balloon like fruits, hence the name. It is very effective in treating Joint Pains.Not only that, it cures bad cough and cold, ear pain and menstrual cramps.  

Try this healthy soup when you get some of these ingredients. A revitalising soup recipe indeed.
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