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Health

The Diwali ‘legiyam’ Keerthy Suresh loves is not a usual festival sweet: How it helps the body

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 08 Nov 2026 11 min ago

Published: November 08, 2026 11:30 AM IST

Legiyam is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal paste consumed on Diwali mornings to aid digestion and prevent bloating caused by heavy festive foods.

The remedy is packed with spices like ginger and pepper, meaning it must be eaten in small, peanut-sized portions before other foods to avoid a burning sensation.

Ayurveda experts recommend consuming legiyam specifically during the Tamil month of Aippasi to provide seasonal immunity benefits that are not as effective at other times.

Across India, Diwali or Deepavali is observed to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Yummy, yet heavy sweets and deep-fried savouries of different types are also an unavoidable part of the festival. Recently, in conversation with YouTuber Curly Tales, actress Keerthy Suresh said that on Diwali mornings in her household, a herbal mix named legiyam was served and she always found it yummy. ‘I don’t know why it’s only made on those days and not other times,’ said Keerthy. How is legiyam different from other Diwali preparations?

What is legiyam?
A traditional Ayurvedic herbal paste with jaggery and honey as the main ingredients, legiyam is mainly a digestive aid. It also has long pepper or thippili, dry ginger or chukku, black pepper, cardamom, ajwain and coriander in it, along with sesame oil and ghee. At the same time, its recipe can differ depending on the community and region in South India. In Keralam’s Malabar region, fresh coconut milk is also reportedly added to the mix. The preparation is also consumed in a powdered form in some households, and they call it a legiyam podi or legiyam powder

A post shared by Keerthy Suresh (@keerthysureshofficial)

How to have it?
Legiyam is eaten to prevent bloating, reduce acidity and discomfort during Diwali, during which a lot of sweets and savouries are generally gifted and consumed. The right way to have it is to take a small, peanut-sized portion of the legiyam, and have it after an oil bath in the morning.  Most importantly, legiyam is to be eaten before having any other food item, especially sweets.

A post shared by AISHWARYA KARTHICK (@aishwaryashomecooking)

Why bother about portion
Legiyam is eaten only in small quantities as it’s a medicinal formulation primarily, and not a festival sweet. It can generate a lot of heat, being packed with spices like ginger, pepper and more. Consuming bigger quantities can at times create a burning sensation in stomach and throat. Large doses can also irritate the digestive tract and cause cramps or constipation. Moreover, according to Ayurveda experts, it is made only during the Tamil month of Aippasi, which falls in late October or early November, as this is when our body can benefit from the kind of immunity legiyam can provide to handle the seasonal changes. Having legiyam at other times may not benefit our body as much. 

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