Chennai: The prolonged gloomy weather in Chennai and our being unprepared for the weather has left every other person with a sore throat or blowing our nose. Snaking queues can be spotted at clinics with patients holding their hankies and sneezing or coughing or they are down with fever.
Though experts are against self-medication, homemade remedies, where the everyday ingredients are used to prepare concoctions do no harm. This weather, caused by the monsoon failure, is certainly new for the people of Chennai, as we are acclimatised to warm weather conditions.
But before stepping out to consult the doctor, why not try the traditional method to rid yourself of your cold?
Name a simple illness, I bet your mum or granny would have a medicine prepared right in front of you with the herbs available at home.
While Thai month has already set in, Chennaiites can still be spotted wrapped around with a (woollen) blanket on any given day, let alone waking early in the morning and get going with everyday chores.
At this juncture, I must certainly mention our love-hate relationship with yesteryear’s traditional kashaayam that is still prepared by a few. We popularly call it ‘Paati Vaithiyam‘ that are made with items available in the kitchen.
The food we eat contains medicinal properties for treatment without visiting the physician and has potential to cure, though not serious illnesses, but can bring relief to seasonal cold and cough.
Remember the drink made of ginger, pepper, turmeric and a few other ingredients? The mere sight of the concoction scares you but certainly can do wonders if given time.
However, I’m sure our granny just does not stop right there but rather goes on and on about following a strict routine to maintain a healthy body.
| A FEW REMEDIES |
| OIL ALL OVER Along with healing muscular pain, studies show that oil bath can regulate blood circulation. The rich anti-oxidant properties that sesame oil possesses can relieve skin conditions like eczema, dry skin and the like. TURMERIC IS IN AIR Even the air would smell of turmeric if someone is down with cold. It is the first line of defence to fight any bacteria or virus. It contains anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory elements that is required for cells to function and including it in your everyday diet can help you keep infections at bay. SIGNATURE KASHAAYAM Brownish orange in colour, the kashaayam tastes tangy or bitter, according to the ingredients added. For cold, dry ginger powder is the key requirement that has anti-inflammatory capacity to boost immunity and remain healthy. |