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Does chicken soup really have healing powers? And does Grandma
really know what she's talking about when she tells you to
eat more garlic to get rid of that cold? FLAVORx has compiled
the best in traditional home remedies from around the world.
Many people swear by these old traditions and remedies, you
might think they are old wives tales but FLAVORx investigates
do they have validity?
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) January 26, 2006 -- For most of us,
when we start to feel that first sign of a scratchy throat
or a runny nose we head straight for the Cough and Cold Aisle
of our local pharmacy. But what about when grandma says to
eat a clove of garlic or take down a big bowl of hot chicken
soup- does she really know what she’s talking about?
Studies show that certain foods and herbs may stimulate the
right immune response, allowing the body to better fight illness
and infection. FLAVORx has compiled a list of some popular,
traditional home remedies from across the globe that have
been thought by past generations to improve health when ill.
Do these old wives tales actually have any restorative properties?
If so how do they stack up against todays usual recomendations?
Don't use these methods without consulting your doctor first.
It is not the intention of FLAVORx to promote these remedies
in lieu of seeking professional medical advice. Rather it
is to investigate if and how some of these remedies do eliminate
symptoms and aid in a quicker recovery.
- Onion Air: Cut an onion in half and place it near your
bed. The strong odor and antiviral chemicals from the onion
will kill bacteria in the air around you.
- Pepper and Vodka: Mix 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
in 1 shot (1.5 ounces) of vodka. Though it won’t be
pleasant going down, this fiery elixir will surely induce
sweating to treat a fever.
- Chicken Soup: Studies show that somehow grandma’s
recipe could inhibit the migration of cells that contribute
to congestion. Adding cayenne pepper or curry to the mix
stimulates circulation and loosens congestion—the
heat from the spices acts like an expectorant found in most
over-the-counter cough syrups.
- Boiled Wine: Mix together ½ cup red wine, ½
cup white wine, 2 cinnamon sticks, cloves and sugar. Boil,
filter and drink. This remedy clears nasal passages and
the cinnamon allows for a gentle, warming and sweat-inducing
effect.
- Black Radish or Onion Syrup: To treat a cough, take a
black radish, hollow it out and add 1 teaspoon of honey.
Let the juices from the radish mix with the honey and drink
the mixture like you would cough syrup. Similarly, the same
can be done by pouring honey over chopped onion.
- Potato Skin Steam: Put potato skin peels in hot water
and breathe the steam every hour to treat decongestion by
loosening mucous and clearing nasal passages. Similar mixtures
can be made with chamomile flowers and eucalyptus. The mixtures
can be saved and reheated for several days.
- Ginger Tea: Add 1 large teaspoon of grated fresh gingerroot
to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow to steep for 10 minutes.
Ginger contains antiviral compounds that have specific effects
against most common cold viruses. Additionally ginger can
reduce pain and fever, suppress coughing and, because of
its mild sedative effect, encourage rest.
- Vinegar Wrap: To treat an abnormally high fever, wrap
your body in towels soaked in vinegar. The vinegar has been
said to counteract toxic effects and treat respiratory infections.
- Steamed Pear and Sugar: Halve a pear and remove the core.
Fill the emptied core with rock sugar or honey and steam.
This is a tasty treat that can be used to treat a persistent
cough. The pear and honey help to eliminate mucous and lubricate
dryness in the throat.
While most of these remedies have not been scientifically
accepted to have curing effects, many swear by these home
remedies.
Is there any more validity to cough and cold remedies currently
found in the drugstore? Guaifenesin has been labeled one of
the best, most recommended expectorants because it is thought
to relieve a cough by thinning sputum and increasing its production.
Guaifenesin is the only expectorant that has been unconditionaly
considered effective by many. Despite its broad use in the
treatment of cough, multiple studies have found inconsistent
results supporting the effectiveness of guaifenesin as an
expectorant or cough suppressant. Little information is available
concerning the impact of guaifenesin on the sensitivity of
the cough reflex.
This leaves you with the nagging question "are remedies
found in the Cough and Cold Aisle more or less effective than
Grandma's home remedies"?
If medication is necessary, FLAVORx suggests using a specifically
developed and scientifically tested flavoring to improve the
typically unpalatable taste of liquid medications. FLAVORx
offers 42 flavors that can be applied to both over-the-counter
and prescription medications and is available at most pharmacies
nationwide. To date, over 50 million prescriptions have been
successfully flavored without any report of complication,
changes in efficacy or incidence of allergy.
For more information, please contact Teresa Chen
at 800.884.5771, extension 234.
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