2017 Oct 19
A global survey indicated 95% of healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics when they are unsure if they are even needed. Antibiotics are not effective in fighting viral infections and are only effective against bacterial infections. However, it has sadly become common practice to turn to antibiotics for most common viral infections like colds & coughs, flu, sore throats and bronchitis. This is the very reason why antibiotic resistance is a major concern in Sri Lanka.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) leading from antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest public health threats the world now faces and it is estimated by 2050, AMR will be responsible for 4.7 million deaths in Asia alone. – World Health Organization (WHO)
Not only this, popping pills for common ailments means you are ingesting unnecessary chemicals. Furthermore, overusing antibiotics can weaken your immune system and destroy healthy flora in your gut as well as your colon which will all lead to poorer overall health.
So when did our dependence on pharmaceutical drugs for common ailments begin? It would be safe to say this is a very recent development in Sri Lanka going back maybe 30 years. Before that most Sri Lankans turned to home remedies and Ayurvedic medicine to cure common ailments. Our grandmothers turned to their home gardens and medicinal plants found foraging in village forests. Science has now proven the many benefits of these herbs and herbal medicine.
Try out these Top Natural Remedies!
1. For colds and coughs:
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 8 cardamoms
- 8 cloves
- 5 black pepper corns
- ½ inch long stick of cinnamon
- 1 inch fresh ginger (slightly pounded)
- Venivelgeta (Coscinium fenestratum)
- Pathpadagam (Oldenlandia corymbosa)
Boil ingredients for 10 to 12 minutes in a quart of boiling water. This tea is can even be taken with added black tea and some honey for sweetness.
2. For congestion in the head and sinus infections:
Boil Adathoda or Pavatta (Justicia adhatoda) leaves, Lemon or lime leaves, some red onion in a pot and inhale the steam deeply 2 or 3 times a day especially before bed, letting the steam clear your sinuses. This will relieve sinus induced headaches as well.
3. For headaches:
- Coriander seeds:
Pulverize coriander seeds and make into a paste with water. Apply this on the forehead.
- Betel leaf:
A paste of betel leaf. Betel leaf has analgesic and cooling properties. It can be applied to the affected area to relieve an intense headache.
- Ginger:
For neuralgic headaches (if the pain is along the upper neck and back of the head the pain and is in the distribution of the nerves known as occipital nerves then its most likely neuralgic) try a applying a paste to the affected area made with ginger, cloves, cinnamon and the roots of the caster oil plant.
- Lemon:
Squeeze juice from three or four slices lemons into a cup of tea and drink this to get relief from headache. Lemon crusts are useful in headache caused by heat. Pound the lemon crusts in a mortar and make a fine paste. Apply paste on forehead for relief from headache. Applying yellow freshly pared off rind of a lemon on each side of the temple will also provide immediate relief.
- Cinnamon:
Headache caused due to exposure to cold air , can be treated by cinnamon. Make a fine paste of cinnamon by mixing a little water and apply this paste over the temples and forehead to get relief.
- Snuff:
Mix equal parts of very finely powdered Valmi or Liquorice root (Phaseolus adenanthus), Atividayan or Atis root (Aconitum heterophyllum). A very small pinch of this mixture will reduce the heaviness in the head.
4. For migraines:
- Smelling salts:
Make a moist paste with 3 leaves of the Holy Basil (Tulsi) and 3 black peppers and use as a smelling salt.
- Snuff:
Mixture of the powder of Long Pepper or Thippili (Piper longum) and the root of Wadakaha (Acorus calamus) can be used as a snuff.
The paste of black pepper made with the juice of Nika (Vitex negunda) can be sniffed occasionally.
- Nika leaves:
For constant headaches, try sleeping on a pillow made with Nika (Vitex negunda) leaves
- Drink water:
Often headaches and migraines result from dehydration so make sure you are fully hydrated to give yourself a chance to recover quickly.
5. For indigestion, upset stomachs and diarrhoea:
- Asamodagam:
Take 1 teaspoon of Asamodagam (Trachyspermum ammi) seeds with a little rock salt boiled in hot water.
- Moringa bark Thambun Hodi:
Might not be the tastiest solution out there, but anything to get rid of that ruddy tummy ache right?
- 1 piece of the bark of the Murunga or Drumstick tree
- 6 large cloves of garlic
- 6 red onions
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 goraka
- 1 tsp Tamarind pulp
- 1 tsp red chilli
- 1/2 tsp fenugreek
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
- 5 peppercorns
- 1″ rampa
- 2″ piece cinnamon
- 3 cups of water
- Salt to taste
Crush together all the fresh ingredients and boil in hot water. Reduce to 1 1/2 cups. Strain and add salt to taste. Serve hot.
- Fenugreek seeds:
Swallow one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds or boil fenugreek seeds in water and have this drink twice daily for 2 – 3 days.
- Ginger:
For a case of amoebiasis take dry ginger with stems of Karapincha and Tamarind leaves and the rind of a raw lime in equal quantities and roast as for coffee. A tablespoon of this powder is mixed with a tablespoon of coffee powder and brewed in half a cup of boiling water.
(Credit for all Herbal Natural Remedies goes to Herbal Food and Medicine in Sri Lanka by Dr. Seela Fernando)
“Herbal plants and their usage are so many that one cannot limit them only to the medicine check. Herbs have been around us from the beginning of time. Egyptian hieroglyphics show their use by the Queen of Sheba and her git of seeds to King Solomon” – Dr. Seela Fernando
These herbal plants can cure many of our common ailments and many of them can be found at our doorstep. It is also a good reason to start growing your own herbal garden at home. You can grow most of these herbs in pots even if you live in an apartment.
Even though preparing herbal remedies may not always be as convenient as popping a pill you bought from the pharmacist, it can often lead to better and quicker results as the very root cause of the ailment is treated. In Sri Lanka we are spoilt for choice when it comes to traditional Ayurvedic medicine shops so getting your hands on these herbal ingredients shouldn’t be at all difficult.
Begin your Ayurvedic journey today by trying out these home remedies and discover a natural and healthier way of life!
