Hello everyone! We invite
everyone to come to our next delicious Pathfinder Produce market, which is open
at the Village Commons this Thursday, January 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. We’ve
got a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, all at a very competitive
price, all to help you eat well and stay healthy. Check it out!
In this week’s blog, my colleague
Martha Spiegel considers home remedies, now that the cold and flu season is
with us.
***
Home remedies
I have had an annoying cough for a few days, and
have gotten some advice from friends and family about some home remedies that
might help. That got me thinking about home remedies in general, and how many
are factual and how many have more of a placebo
effect. So I conducted a very informal survey and then
did some research. Here are some of the suggestions, and what I found out.
Vicks® VapoRub™ on the forehead for headaches,
or on the feet for a cough: I have heard many, many uses for Vicks,
and confirming or debunking all of them would be quite a project. Vicks is
advertised as a cough suppressant and an analgesic for muscle aches. The vapors
from the camphor, menthol and eucalyptus oil will clear a stuffy nose very
quickly, thus relieving headaches resulting from congestion. The company
advises rubbing it on the chest and throat for a cough so that the vapors can
be inhaled; I suspect rubbing in on your forehead would have the same effect,
although it can cause your eyes to burn. Rubbing it on your feet, then would be
counterintuitive
(unless perhaps with small children who’s feet aren’t that far from their
noses!).
Warm milk for insomnia:
This falls under the “maybe” category. It has never been scientifically proven
or disproven. Some sleep
experts were interviewed and the consensus was that it works for some
people, perhaps for various reasons—comfort in the warm milk, being part of a
bedtime ritual, etc.
Plain white rice for diarrhea:
This is medically proven, and part of what is known as the BRAT
diet—Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast. They are all bland, low in fiber,
and easily tolerated by most people; thus this remedy is commonly recommended
by doctors. I also found that cooked white rice is also effective for
the same condition in dogs.
Honey and lemon for cough, sore throat:
According to mayoclinic.org,
honey appears to be as effective as cough medicine on children over age 2. It
is also soothing to the throat. Adding lemon can help cut the mucus. If the
honey and lemon are added to hot tea, there is also steam for the sinuses.
Neti pot to clear sinuses:
My sister swears by her neti
pot. I’m pretty sure if I used one I’d pour it down my shirt instead, so I
have not tried it. Used properly, however, it can be very effective in clearing
the sinuses using only a saline solution.
Chicken soup for a cold:
One of my favorite things to eat when I have a cold is matzoh ball soup, which
has a chicken base. Being unable to find it in any diner nearby, my husband
learned to make it (for which I am very grateful!). Chicken soup is warm, so
it’s comforting. The steam from a hot bowl of soup is good for the sinuses. The
salt is soothing to the throat, and tastes much better than a salt water
gargle. There are also healthy nutrients, which vary with the ingredients
used. This
article does a nice job of summing up why, even though the soup is not
curative, it does make someone feel better. And like my parents say, “It
couldn’t hurt!”
In the end, I found that many home remedies can
be effective, and many just have comforting effects which can also be helpful.
It is advisable to do your own research before trying any home remedy to make
sure it won’t cause harm, and always call your medical provider if you have any
doubts or if your symptoms persist or worsen.
Until next time, take care and be well!
Martha (and Lori)
