BEAT THE CHILL
Centuries old
natural remedies and secret health tips could hold the key to beating colds
this winter
We catch an average of four colds a year — and with
no known cure, your GP can only advise lots of rest and to stay hydrated. But
nutritionist Sarah Flower tells us natural remedies going back centuries could
help to speed up recovery. So if you’re feeling bunged up, try one of these
traditional cures:
Hot toddies
Hot Toddies date back to the 1700s and are
traditionally made with spirits, honey and a range of spices. Often now, we opt
for brandy, honey and lemon. The brandy helps you sleep, the honey soothes the
throat and the lemon adds the much-needed vitamin C. Lemon also helps clear
lingering germs from the nasal passages. The jury is still out on the science.
Even if it is psychological it’s a definite go-to for me.
Chicken soup
Our grandmothers really did know best — this is an
excellent remedy. There are even mentions of chicken broth used by ancient
Greek physicians. Made from the bones of the meat or poultry, add any leftover
vegetables and cook slowly for a nourishing meal. Bone stock is full of
vitamins and minerals, as well as gelatine and collagen, to help you back on
your feet. I’d add turmeric and cinnamon, as well as a dash of chilli — a
natural decongestant — and ginger to speed up your metabolism.
Clove of garlic
Garlic has a long-standing reputation for keeping
winter bugs at bay. In the 1500s people were advised to apply a poultice of
garlic and onion to their throats. Thankfully we’ve now moved on and can easily
add garlic to our meals or even take a daily supplement. Garlic, with its
antiviral, anti-bacterial and anticatarrhal properties, is a great weapon
against flu.
Fresh air
If you’re in Delhi, this may not be an option. But
our ancestors used to take patients outdoors for at least an hour a day however
sick they were. There’s a good reason — Vitamin D, which helps prevent flu and
can regulate our immune response. We are now aware that a large number of
Indians lack the recommended levels, especially during winter. For adequate
exposure to the sun’s UVB rays you need at least 15 minutes a day. For those
who can’t, vitamin D3 supplements are the alternative. It boosts the immune
system and can help with depression and bone, joint and heart health.
Prevention
This sounds obvious but there are measures we can all
implement to help prevent catching a cold virus in the first place. We’ve gone
through quite a history on this, from using carbolic smoke balls to iodine
lockets hung round the neck in the early 20th century. Hospitals used to have
brass door handles to stop germs because it effectively disinfects itself.
Nowadays, we can use disposable tissues and antibacterial hand gel.
Natural supplements
Pelargonium is a herbal remedy based on geraniums
that packs a punch and helps with respiratory infections, sore throats and
general cold and flu symptoms. Take it as soon as you begin to feel the onset
of illness and continue until you are showing signs of improvement. It is
natural but I would not advise this for the under-12s.
Spice it up
Instead of popping pills, a good way to keep seasonal
infections at bay is by including the following spices in one’s diet:
Sage: Apart
from its antiseptic benefits, it is also used as a gargle to soothe a sore
throat. It is recommended that one use fresh sage instead of dried variety when
possible. Often used as a flavour enhancer, sage can be included in stuffings,
stews, pies or even steeped in hot water to make tea.
Cinnamon: Apart
from helping digest the nutrients in food, Cinnamon also helps the flow of
blood and oxygen to the digestive tract and is rated as one of the highest
rated antioxidants. It is best consumed as a paste along with honey.
Nutmeg: It may
be a well-known Ayurvedic cure for diarrhea, but it also has antimicrobial
properties. Sprinkle in hot milk or soups or stew.
-Daily
Mirror
No comments:
Post a Comment