All the medicines in the world are in some way derived from herbs and medicinal plants, and these have also been used from the beginning of time, so why not turn directly to natural cures for winter ailments
Desperate situations call for desperate measures. And when can one be more desperate than situations when the doctor’s prescriptions have been tried time and again without success. Desperate, one tends to try out a few herbal remedies which mothers and grandmothers are always recommending. And, more often than not, one finds that these common ingredients readily available in the kitchen work like magic and you are free from your pain and problems in no time.
There are some wise people who don’t bother going to a doctor at all and just head for the kitchen cabinet to find a natural way of dealing with their ailment.
Since the beginning of time, the leaves, flowers, stems, fruits and roots of plants were used to prevent, relieve and treat illness. There are texts surviving from the ancient cultures that describe and illustrate the use of many medicinal plant products. Throughout the Middle Ages, home-grown botanicals were the only medicines readily available, and for centuries, almost all households had a carefully tended and extensively used herb garden. Herbal remedies were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth and many have survived to this day.
Many common medicines widely used today have their roots in ancient healing traditions that involved the use of specific plants for the treatment of various ailments. With development in the field of science and medicine, the medicinal properties of a large number of plants were discovered and further developed.
Many common medicines widely used today have their roots in ancient healing traditions that involved the use of specific plants for the treatment of various ailments. With development in the field of science and medicine, the medicinal properties of a large number of plants were discovered and further developed.
However, using herbs and spices in their natural and pure form is definitely a more desirable option in treating many common physical conditions. And many of these natural products are always there in our kitchens, such as lemon, which is a rich source of vitamin C and very useful when taken during common cold.
During winter, most adults and children tend to fall sick due to flu, cough, asthma, winter allergies, digestive problems and much more. Rather than heading straight for the doctor the moment your child sneezes for the first time, treat him with some home remedies which is bound to be very relieving, particularly for conditions such as cough and cold which take their own time to subside.
Here are some easy ways of becoming a doctor this winter, using what our grandmothers used.
Common cold
The common cold occurs more than any other disease and can last from three to ten days. Lemon juice works like magic with all types of colds, with or without fever. The vitamin C in lemon increases body resistance and reduces the duration of the illness. Squeeze the juice of one lemon in a glass of warm water, add a teaspoon of honey and drink it once or twice a day and you will certainly feel better.
Vitamin C, in any case, should be taken by those who have a tendency of catching cold as it boosts the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells.
Cinnamon has been found to be an effective remedy for common cold and its regular use is seen to help in preventing attacks of influenza. Boil a teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon in a glass of water, add a pinch of black pepper powder and a teaspoon of honey, and you have a magic potion that has been helping people for ages.
Black pepper is also a very useful spice that is beneficial in the treatment of many ailments, including cold. For acute cold, about 20 grams of pepper powder boiled in milk with a pinch of turmeric powder can be used once daily for three days for relief.
Vitamin C, in any case, should be taken by those who have a tendency of catching cold as it boosts the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells.
Ginger is another common ingredient that most of our recipes are incomplete without. It’s always there in the kitchen and helps bring relief in many illnesses and conditions, provided we know how to use it the right way.
For treating cold, cut ginger into small pieces and boil it in a cup of water. After straining the liquid, add half-a-teaspoon of sugar and drink it hot. Ginger tea is also immensely helpful, you can make it by adding a few small pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding tea leaves and drink it like regular tea.
In the early stages of cold, drinking tea in which mint leaves have been added to the boiling water along with tea leaves eases the symptoms of a cold.
Influenza
Also known as the ‘flu’, this is a highly contagious viral infection with symptoms similar to those of the common cold, and it is one of the thousands of diseases that modern science has yet to find a cure for. But, as always, herbs and natural remedies can relieve the symptoms.
Garlic is an excellent remedy for flu. And it has been used throughout the ages to ward off many diseases and is said to have saved many lives in epidemics of infectious diseases. Having antibacterial properties, garlic gives protection against common cold and flu.
In addition, it also improves circulation and lowers blood pressure, thereby playing a positive role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. A person with flu should take as much garlic as they can bear, and in any way that suits them.
Turmeric is used extensively in all our households and has many medicinal qualities. A teaspoon of turmeric powder should be mixed with a cup of warm milk and taken three times a day. It will help keep the intensity of the flu condition mild.
In case of running nose, smoke from burning turmeric can be inhaled as it will increase the discharge from the nose and bring quicker relief.
Onion is also an effective remedy for this condition, so take equal amounts of onion juice and honey, mix together and take three or four teaspoons of this daily.
Cough and sore throat
People develop a cough frequently during a change in weather, particularly during the beginning of winter. A tested remedy for getting relief from irritation in the throat and to stop coughing, chew a clove with a crystal or pinch of common salt. Chewing burnt clove is also an effective medicine for coughs caused by congested throat.
Almonds are very useful for dry coughs. Seven kernels should be soaked in water overnight. Remove the skin and ground well to form a paste. Add 20 grams each of butter and sugar to the paste and take a teaspoon of it in the morning and night.
Grapes are one of the most effective home remedies for the treatment of cough as they tone up the lungs and act as an expectorant. A cup of grape juice should be taken with a teaspoon of honey for cough relief.
For hard dry cough with difficult expectoration, using aniseed can help as it breaks up the mucus. A tea made from this spice should be used regularly.
You can also make excellent cough syrup from onion juice. Just chop it finely, extract the juice from it and add equal quantity of honey to it, i.e. one tablespoon onion juice with one tablespoon honey. It can be kept for four to five hours and take it twice a day.
The root of the turmeric plant is very useful in dry cough. The root should be roasted and powdered, and taken in three-gram doses twice daily.
Cardamom, one of the most valued and commonly used spices in the world, is very useful in treating oral disorders, such as a sore throat. Gargle with an infusion of cardamom and cinnamon to cure pharyngitis, sore throat and hoarseness. Its daily gargle also protects one from flu.
For sore throat resulting from a cold, treat it with one teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder and two teaspoon of honey.
The leaves of henna are also useful as a sore throat cure. A decoction of the leaves can be used as a gargle for this purpose.
Mango bark is effective in the treatment of a sore throat and other throat disorders. Its fluid, which is extracted by grinding, can be applied locally with beneficial results. It can also be used as a throat gargle. This gargle is prepared by mixing 10 ml of the fluid extract with 125 ml of water.
Another effective gargle can be made from fenugreek seeds for treating a sore throat. Add two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds to a litre of cold water and simmer it for half an hour over a low flame. This should then be allowed to cool to a bearable temperature, strained and then used entirely as a gargle.
Asthma
Despite so much advancement, modern medicine can offer only very little relief to children with asthma and most drugs can only produce a temporary effect.“
Asthma is one of the most dreaded ailments that is sure to trouble people with this allergic condition all through winters. It is more common n children and young adults. Despite so much advancement, modern medicine can offer only very little relief to children with asthma and most drugs can only produce a temporary effect.
Herbs, however, are found to reduce the intensity and frequency of the attacks, and also strengthen the lungs and the immune system.
Honey is one of the most common home remedies for asthma. Taking one or two teaspoons of honey provide relief. Honey can also be taken in a cup of warm milk or water, as it thins our accumulated mucus and helps its elimination from the respiratory passage.
Take a juice of one lemon diluted in a glass of water with meals for relief in asthma.
A decoction of linseed is also considered useful in curing congestion in asthma and preventing recurrence of attacks. It can be prepared by boiling a teaspoon of linseed powder and a piece of palm candy in two cups of water till the mixture is reduced to half. It should be taken with a tablespoon of milk once daily. Linseed oil can be used for messaging the chest and neck during an asthma attack.
Garlic, again, is very useful. Boil three cloves of garlic in milk and drink it every night. Among fruits, figs have proved very valuable in asthma as they give comfort to the patient by draining off the phlegm. Three or four dry figs should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked overnight. They should be taken first thing in the morning, along with the water in which they were soaked. This treatment may be continued for about two months.
Home remedies are very easy to make and not very expensive too, so why not try them this winter when someone coughs or has a runny nose?
This article was originally published in Dawn in November 2005
