Use following herbs as home remedies
Cabbage
for food poisoning
Well-cooked cabbage and the water it’s been boiled in help clear up minor diarrhoea and sickness caused by food poisoning. Cabbage has a high sulphur and chlorine content that helps destroy harmful bacteria in the stomach. Try to eat at least three large tablespoons of thoroughly boiled leaves, or sip a cup of the cooking water. Raw cabbage or boiled cabbage is more easily digested than cooked cabbage - so cabbage salad (thoroughly washed) is better than “subzi”. Add hing (asafoetida) to your cooked cabbage to retain its benefits.
Walnuts
for winter blues
Walnuts are a rich source of zinc, amino acids and omega 3 and 6 that help prevent depression. These nuts also influence the levels of stoninesses in the brain and help to nourish the nervous system. You should aim to eat a small handful every day - don’t over-do or you might end up consuming extra calories. Other feelgood foods include alsi (flax seed), almonds and sunflower seeds that are high in tryptophan, an essential amino acid that increases the^iroduc-tion of serotonin. A feelgood mineral is calcium. So sip a glass of milk or reach for a bowl of curd when feeling low.
Dalchini (cinnamon)
for bloating and indigestion
Research has shown that this aromatic spice helps inhibit the growth of E-coli bacteria in the stomach. It also encourages the digestive system to work efficiently and can be used to treat indigestion and flatulence. And because it improves appetite, It’s also an effective spice to use when recovering from a cold or flu. Stir in half a teaspoon of dalchini powder into a warm drink or porridge every morning. Use only small amounts and avoid if you’re pregnant, as dalchini may thin the blood.
Lavender
for stress and insomnia
A 2005 American study involving 31 adults found that lavender essential oil acts as a mild sedative and promotes deep sleep. Lavender essential oil also helps aid relaxation and emotional stress. Use four drops in a carrier oil (almond, olive, jojoba or coconut oil) and dab on your pillow, or before going to bed, have a warm bath with 5-6 drops of lavender oil added to the bath water, or thrown on the shower floor. (Recent research on breast biopsy patients also found that lavender oil helped ease postoperative pain when mixed with oxygen.)
Rosemary
for circulation
Rosemary oil is an approved treatment for joint pain and poor circulation in European countries such as Germany. Use a generous pinch of fresh or dried leaves in teas and food, but don’t overdo it, warn experts. Too much rosemary can raise blood pressure.
Lemon
for colds
Vitamins A and C in lemon work well to protect the mucus membranes of the nose, mouth, throat and lungs « all more vulnerable to infections in winter. If you’re susceptible to colds, aim at taking 500-l,000mg of vitamin C tablets per day throughout the winter. Infuse lemon juice and ginger in warm water and drink every morning. Vitamin C supports liver function and is a natural immunity booster and vitality builder. Lemon juice is also an antiseptic - apply to cuts or grazes to cleanse the area and stop bleeding.
Basil (Tulsi) for migraines
Tulsi can help calm nervous irritability. Its analgesic effect helps relieve tension headaches and migraines and should be taken as soon as the pain starts. Infuse a handful of freshly chopped tulsi in a pint of water for 20 minutes. Strain and divide into two or three doses to be drunk throughout the day. Avoid it in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, as it may lead to miscarriage. An application of camphor and tulsi paste on the forehead can relieve headaches.
Cranberries
for cystitis
Drinking 1-2 glasses of cranberry juice a day can help prevent and treat urinary infections. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that women were half as likely to have a recurrence of cystitis if they drank a glass of cranberry juice a day. The chemicals in the berries kill bacteria and flushes them out of the system. Try brands such as Ceres and Real. (Probiotic dahi such as the ones from Mother Dairy or Nestle can also help prevenfcbacteria moving from the bowel to the bladder, one of the main causes of cystitis.)
Honey
for sore throats
Honey is an excellent treatment for sore throats and irritating coughs. It soothes the inflamed mucus membranes of the upper respiratory tract, thereby relieving symptoms such as coughs and sore throats. Stir honey and lemon to taste into a glass of hot water, allow it to cool to room temperature before you sip it. The honey coats and soothes the throat, and the lemon helps cut mucus. You may add a couple of tulsi leaves for added benefit. This time-tested recipe will relieve pain.
Thyme
for chesty coughs and phlegm
The essential oils in thyme act as a powerful decongestant when swallowed. Thyme helps liquefy phlegm on the chest and enables it to break away so the cells underneath can start to heal. Cooking will destroy the oils, so use fresh thyme in food. According to a report commissioned by the German government, drinking a cup of tea made from warm water and half a teaspoon of thyme (fresh or dry), 2-3 times a day, can also help to cure coughs and colds.
Tags : Health
Related Posts:
- None
Feed XML / RSS
Recent Comments