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Day by day, the severity of the heat continues to intensify. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that temperatures are expected to soar up to 40 degrees in the coming days. In such times—when the scorching heat becomes unbearable—our thoughts instinctively turn to air conditioners, coolers, or cold beverages.

However, you might be surprised to learn that a fantastic secret for keeping your body cool from the inside during this intense heat is actually hidden right in your kitchen. Yes, this may come as a surprise, as the common perception is that spices tend to increase body heat; yet, in reality, certain spices act as natural "coolers." Let us introduce you to three specific kitchen spices that will prove invaluable in helping you beat the heat.

**Fennel Seeds (Saunf)**
Widely regarded as excellent for digestion, fennel seeds are also highly effective in providing relief from the heat. They serve not merely as a post-meal mouth freshener; they possess an inherently cooling nature. They are particularly helpful in alleviating stomach gas or bloating caused by the heat.

**How to Use:**
**Fennel Water:** Thoroughly boil one teaspoon of fennel seeds in a glass of water. Strain the liquid, allow it to cool down, and then drink it. This provides immediate relief to the body.

**Chew After Meals:** Chewing a small amount of fennel seeds after every meal helps eliminate bad breath while providing internal cooling to the body.

**Add to Salads:** You can sprinkle a pinch of crushed fennel seeds over your fresh salads to add a unique sweetness and a touch of freshness.

**Coriander (Dhania)**
Whether in the form of fresh green leaves or dried seeds, coriander is considered an infallible remedy for soothing body heat. It rapidly lowers elevated body temperatures and provides a sense of relief to the stomach.

**How to Use:**
**Coriander Water:** Soak one teaspoon of dried coriander seeds in a glass of water overnight. Upon waking up in the morning, strain the water and drink it on an empty stomach.

**Prepare a Chutney:** Create a spicy and cooling chutney by blending fresh coriander leaves with a little ginger, green chilies, and lemon juice. This also helps protect against heatstroke.

**Culinary Use:** Incorporate coriander powder into your daily vegetable dishes or cold soups.

**Cardamom**
Renowned for its captivating aroma and mildly sweet flavor, green cardamom serves as an excellent natural cooling agent. It aids in flushing toxins out of the body and helps prevent digestive issues commonly associated with the summer season.

**How to Use**
**In Beverages:** You can add crushed cardamom to refreshing summer drinks, lemonade, or your daily tea.

**The Soul of Sweets:** Adding a pinch of cardamom powder to homemade chilled *kheer* (rice pudding), *lassi*, smoothies, or ice cream enhances both their flavor and cooling effect.

**Cardamom Milk:** Drinking cold milk infused with a little cardamom powder provides the body with remarkable cooling relief and a sense of mental tranquility.

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