Grandma Knows It All
Grandmothers carry timeless wisdom. We will forever be grateful to them for passing it on generation after generation. Be it Asia, The Western World, or Africa, their remedies have survived to this day. In this article, we are exploring the healing remedies from these three regions of the world. Our ancestors were very much Intune with nature and her cures fast forward to the 21st century there has been a significant decline perhaps due to our hectic lifestyle, having a quick fix from the pharmacy for an everyday problem the list is pretty long I dare say. Mind you, modern medicine is amazing and continues to save thousands of lives. In all this we must not forget the simplicity of our elders. After all, it was their wisdom that got them through all the difficulties of their era and we can safely say they lead more authentic lives than we do. From baby feeding advise, to using vanilla to pacify an excruciating toothache, our nanas have helped us in countless ways. Here are a few remedies from around the world that were introduced to us and remain effective to this day.
Grandmothers carry timeless wisdom. We will forever be grateful to them for passing it on generation after generation. Be it Asia, The Western World, or Africa, their remedies have survived to this day. In this article, we are exploring the healing remedies from these three regions of the world. Our ancestors were very much Intune with nature and her cures fast forward to the 21st century there has been a significant decline perhaps due to our hectic lifestyle, having a quick fix from the pharmacy for an everyday problem the list is pretty long I dare say. Mind you, modern medicine is amazing and continues to save thousands of lives.
In all this we must not forget the simplicity of our elders. After all, it was their wisdom that got them through all the difficulties of their era and we can safely say they lead more authentic lives than we do.
From baby feeding advise, to using vanilla to pacify an excruciating toothache, our nanas have helped us in countless ways. Here are a few remedies from around the world that were introduced to us and remain effective to this day.
Remedies for Babies (Africa)
1. One of the best gifts that our ancestors have given us is Baobab powder. Not only it is a good source of vitamin C, but it is almost 50% fiber and contains antioxidant properties. Moreover, calcium present in baobab improves bone strength. You just need to add half teaspoon of baobab powder in your baby’s ½ cup yogurt or milk along with a ½ tablespoon of coconut oil. It is as simple as it sounds!
2. Turmeric paste is another top pick by our nanas which helps in removing the phlegm. Add a spoonful of water in 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder to make a paste and heat it. Apply it on your little one’s chest, forehead, and feet.
3. In addition to this, Rooibos tea is a revered herb. It has an anti-spasmodic effect; alleviates colic and stomach cramps. Other than this, anti-allergic properties of rooibos relieve skin irritation due to eczema, nappy rash, and acne. Rooibos also increases the absorption of iron, potassium, and copper which are excellent for your metabolism. You can give it to your baby in between milk feeds and if your baby doesn’t like the taste of rooibos, you may add fruit juice to mask the taste. It has a nice earthy smell.
Remedies for Toddlers
1. Peppermint is a well known herb worldwide with antibacterial properties, indeed we have all heard stories of its benefits from our elders. It can soothe an upset stomach almost immediately. Peppermint is also soothing for colds flu and headaches. Make your toddler peppermint tea and add a dash of honey. Infact why not make it a regular part of their diet the benefits are awesome.
2. Another very powerful herb that has made every mom’s life easier and babies healthier is guava leaves. The task of countering typhoid and fever is made easier by its use. They have antimicrobial properties to reduce the production of mucus and boost the immune system. They also help in relieving the symptoms of typhoid and further preventing viral infections. It is easy to make; take 4 leaves of guava, crush them and extract their juice. Feed one teaspoon of this extract to your child 3 times a day for about a week.
3. Other than this, Aloe Vera has been a famous beauty and healing agent in the modern world and we are not surprised that our elders used it too! It can be used to treat first- and second-degree burns. Apply it directly on the affected area to reduce the healing time by 9 days. It is also used as a mouth rinse to reduce dental plaque and speed up the healing of mouth ulcers. Aloe Vera mouth rinse can be easily made at home. Add 1 cup of distilled water to ¼ cup of aloe vera juice (equal to 3 medium leaves of aloe vera) along with 2 teaspoons of Xylitol and 2 teaspoons of Baking Soda. Blend the solution for 1 minute. If you want to change the taste, you can add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil for a fresh minty taste. Make sure that your child doesn’t swallow the solution.
Remedies for Babies (Asia)
1. It is very common for wax to buildup in a baby’s ear which might cause pain and discomfort. To ease the pain your baby is going through; crush marigold leaves and take away the juice. Add drops of it to your baby’s ear. This juice brings out the wax making it easier for you to remove it. The marigold leaves have antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help to alleviate ear pain.
2. Organizing a proper diet makes your baby stronger and healthier. Use garlic to fight unwanted infections. It can be used in powdered or juice form. Studies have proven that extra garlic in your baby’s diet helps boost their immune system and helps in fighting chronic infections.
3. Another remedy has been proven very useful even in the modern era is Eucalyptus oil. It is beneficial in unclogging respiratory congestion when sprinkled in baby’s bedding, When purchasing the oil make sure it is certified organic.
Remedies for Toddlers
1. Warts are uncommon in babies but in the case of toddlers, they’re quite prevalent. An easy antidote for warts is that you can simply use adhesive tape to treat your kid’s warts. Just cover the wart with adhesive tape for a few weeks. This suffocates the wart. Remove the tape carefully and clean the skin around the wart. Repeat this process until the wart is gone.
2. Kids are very energetic and often get sprains. Even though putting ice on it seems like a good option, it is important to note that some kids have skins that are very sensitive to it. For this, mothers can use the remedy i.e. Rub clay and vinegar compress on the sprain for 20 minutes. Even the football players have been reported to use this solution to treat sprains.
3. Sub-continent features a special ancient drink called Haldi Doodh which reduces the pain and helps speed up the recovery of wounds in few days. Haldi is essentially Turmeric powder. Turmeric powder when mixed with milk helps the kid’s internal body system work fast. Add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder along with 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom, 1/8 teaspoon crushed black pepper, 1 pinch of crushed ginger, 1 pinch of ground cloves, 1 pinch of ground allspice, 3/4 teaspoon of honey, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract in 1 cup of milk. Warm the milk for 3-4 minutes and slowly add the ingredients one at a time while stirring the solution.
Remedies for Babies (Western World )
1. This particular remedy works for each age bracket but since kids are advised to use as few drugs as possible, this nostrum cures cough within seconds. Make your baby eat the honey as it is; otherwise you can just mix a teaspoon of honey in warm water and let your baby drink it. This will not only help with the cough but also lubricates the throat.
2. Eliminate the consequences of diaper dermatitis by just an easy trick. If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you’ve got the right solution to deal with diaper dermatitis. Clean your baby’s bottom thoroughly and apply breast milk on the affected areas. This is often quite useful as breast milk is enriched with antibodies, it heals the skin and soothes the irritation without the risk of an allergic reaction.
3. When it comes to nourishment of the baby’s hair and skin, Drumstick leaves oil has shown magical results.. It makes their skin soft and smooth while providing their hair the right nutrients required for essential growth.
Remedies for Toddlers
1. Congested chest is a very common ailment in children and thankfully our grandmas got a cover for it too. Boil some water and pour it in a big bowl. Add one teaspoon of vapor rub to it. If you want, you can add eucalyptus oil to the warm water. Make your child inhale the steam while you cover their head with a towel. Make sure the towel blocks any steam from getting out. Carry out this process twice a day for five minutes and your toddler will be cured in no time.
2. A bee sting can leave one in pain for several hours or even days. Try not to press and punctiliously remove the bee stinger using a nail cutter or a needle. Just take an onion, cut it in half and rub it over the affected area. Your kid will get relief in a while.
3. Treating fever using drugs may be a high risk for a child. Cut a raw onion in half and carefully tie one piece to each foot making sure it doesn’t touch the underside of the foot. You can also easily tuck the 2 pieces inside the socks of the child.
This amazingly sums up that grandmothers not only provide us with delicious dishes from the kitchen but also effective remedies, curing minor ailments almost like a pro! Indigestion, bee stings, coughs and so much more. The real heroes sleep in our homes and we love them!