Chennai: The season of epidemic breakout is back and it is imperative to take precautionary measures.
If it is monsoon, fever and other water-borne diseases are synonymous with it. ‘News Today‘ has touched upon the issue already, discussing about preventing dengue and swine flu, but not often do we see to it that minor infections such as flu, running nose, cold and sore throat are treated.
However, it is common that majority of the burden falls on the housewife who ensures everyone is safe and sound. The first line of defense that women undertake is a phenomenon that has been descended since several generations, and it is called by different names.
Some might prefer paati vaidhiyam, while others would prefer calling it naatu maruthuvam. Many womenfolk still adhere and consider it as the first course of treatment, for simple illnesses.
You may now have tablets that you cannot even spell which can cure flu or common cold, but remember drinking the tangy and bittery kashayam? Of course, you would. For the common woman, her kitchen becomes the pharmacy and she herself would don the role of a doctor, though without a degree.
For any water-borne conditions, she uses sukku, milagu and jeera with honey and water. The kashyam made using the herbs is the magic potion. Name any fever, she would have a home-made solution.
Some would argue that milagu rasam is the best medicine you could take in case you get severe cold and even flu.
The concoction, made of turmeric, ginger, peppercorn and jeera, is widely suggested for such mild conditions as the natural antibiotics kills the virus.
Speaking about this, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospitalās assistant professor Dr Y Deepa says, “Most of the ingredients are anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory. Pepper, in particular, contains a compound called pepperin that keeps the bacterial growth in intestinal tract at bay, expansion of lungs for breathing, eases digestion and boosts the natural immunity.”
P.S.: All the natural methods work only when pure ingredients are used, if you use chemical-laden additives and expect it to work, sorry we donāt own the responsibility.