Many home remedies are prevalent in our homes since the time of our grandmothers. Like ginger tea for cold, honey for sore throat, celery for gas in stomach, and turmeric milk for pain. All these measures are still adopted in many families today. One of their major advantages is that most of these ingredients are easily available at home.
However, nowadays people are interested to know whether these remedies are really beneficial or just old beliefs. Some home remedies have a scientific basis behind them, while some may provide some relief. It is not necessary that every recipe is effective for everyone. Let us take a look at some common remedies of grandmothers and see what modern science has to say about them.
It is often advised to consume honey in case of sore throat or cough. Some research has found that honey can provide some relief from cough. Honey can be helpful especially if you are troubled by cough at night, but honey should not be given to children below one year of age as it can lead to the risk of serious infection.
In case of cold or throat problem, it is advisable to drink ginger tea. Ginger contains elements that can help reduce inflammation. However, it should not be considered a cure for cold and cough, but should be seen as a comfort remedy.
Consumption of celery is an old remedy for the problem of heaviness or gas in the stomach. It contains some elements that can help with digestive problems, but it is not necessary that it has the same effect on everyone. If stomach pain occurs frequently, it would be better to consult a doctor.
In case of injury or body pain, it is advised to drink turmeric milk. Turmeric contains an element called curcumin, on which there have been many studies to inflammation and pain. However, drinking turmeric milk cannot cure any disease.
Applying oil to hair is one of the tips of grandmothers. It can help retain moisture in the hair and scalp, thereby reducing dryness. However, it has not been proven that applying oil will make hair grow faster or eliminate baldness. If the problem of hair fall is excessive, it is necessary to find out its cause.
Taking steam is an old remedy for cold or nasal congestion. Hot steam can provide temporary relief from nasal congestion, but inhaling steam from very hot water can burn the skin. Special care should be taken while giving steam to children.
According to Dr. Archana Pate, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, some home remedies can provide relief in minor problems. For example, in case of sore throat, drinking lukewarm water, gargling with salt water and drinking enough water can help. However, these measures do not cure the disease, but only provide relief to the symptoms.
The doctor also said that research has been done on home remedies like honey, ginger and turmeric, but these cannot be considered as medicine or a sure cure for any disease. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people who are already ill or taking medications should exercise caution when using home remedies. If the problem is severe or persists for a long time, it is better to consult a doctor.
