Mother-Knows-Best Remedies: Myths or Science

In spite of all the miracles of modern medicine our mothers still stick to the good old home remedies, passed down by their mothers who got them from their mothers. Let's look at weather some of these simple Mother-Knows-Best remedies really woks or not.

• A Sour Lime for nausea:

It works. But nausea has to be combined with acidity. You can also use candied ginger for motion sickness. You should have a light bland meal before leaving and keep your head steady with a neck pillow.

• Avoid ice cream, curd and fried food if you have a bad throat:

It's true. Fried stuff, ice cream, curd, banana, chilled water etc. thicken discharge.

• Black coffee to stay alert:

It works. Caffeine is a stimulant so it keeps you awake. But its overdose effect can last for as long as 20 hours so don't over use it.

• Chewing ginger root for indigestion:

It works. In fact a mixture of ginger and lemon juice with a pitch of salt works even better.

• Clove oil for a toothache:

It works. Take a small ball of cotton wool in clove oil and apply gently and directly only on the cavity area otherwise you may burn your mouth, gums and cheeks. Don't use hot water because it will cause the infection to spread.

• Eat cooling foods in summer:

It doesn't work. Cooling foods are washed and hygienically prepared because water born diseases multiply in the heat. Be careful about curd and milky drinks which encourage bacteria.

• Eat heaty foods in the winter:

It doesn't work. You just need to eat more in winter as you need more energy to keep warm. Enjoy hot soups and vitamin E enriched nuts to keep your skin flexible.

• Gargle with hot salt water to treat a sore throat:

It works. Stir one tsp of common salt in a glass of boiled water. Cool it for the temperature your throat can bear and then gargle so that the contents stay for some time in the throat. Then spit out the salty water. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.

• Ginger Tea for a horrible cold:

It works. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory substance.

• Hot brandy prickles with honey, relieve cold:

It works. But nobody knows the reason. Perhaps the heat is what works well.

• Hot milk with turmeric for a throat infection:

It works. Turmeric is an antiseptic and hot milk helps it feels soothing.

• Hot rice poultice for joint pain:

It works. It works on the principle of external moist heat therapy which draws out the pain and stiffness.

• Ice cubes cool a fever:

It works. An ice pack can bring body temperature down naturally.

• Kokum water to sooth skin complaints:

It works. You can drink it or apply it to the affected area.

• Raw garlic or onion works well in stye:

Never use it. You will only get burning sensation as a result.

• Raw potato skin to treat surface burns:

It works. Minor burns stayed moist longer and healed faster with the use of potato peel bandages. You can also use raw potato slices to treat sunburns and acne with good results.

• Slaked lime to remove a wart:

Never use it. It can infect a broken skin surface.

• Soda after a heavy meal:

It doesn't work really. Fizzy substances make you burp and cause the acid from the stomach to flow back into your throat. So just do these things:

- Avoid bending after meals because it can cause the stomach contents to regurgitate into your throat.

- Avoid lie down immediately after you are eaten, else you will get heartburn because it takes some hours for the stomach to empty its stuffing into the intestine.

- Use an antacid before going to bed as liquid works quicker.

- If acute gas problem arise, gently massage the abdomen and apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to pamper the area.

• Steaming bowl of soup relieves cold:

It works. It helps to open holes, produce sweat and kill the cold. You can try chicken broth or onion soup with an extra bit of pepper powder and some ginger flakes.

• Turmeric powder heals a wound:

It works. Turmeric is an antibiotic. But it is difficult to clean out a turmeric encrusted wound and the efforts may lead to infection.