Frugal but Healthy Home Remedies from Grandma’s Time
As we move into October, I started thinking about winter and some of the unpleasant things it brings our way.
Things that we don’t seem to have much control over; such as catching a cold or, even worse, the flu. I usually spend at least half the winter coughing and no known over-the-counter prescription seems to bring about a cure. Then, there’s the dreaded “congestion”; when you actually pray for just one good breath.
In a time of soaring health care costs – when a single trip to the doctor’s office can cost hundreds of dollars and a visit to the hospital emergency room can balloon into thousands – it is comforting to know that there are many everyday health problems that you can safely and successfully treat with homemade remedies.
You will be happy to discover that they can make a real difference in how you or a family member feels and when you start to mend without a budget-busting consultation at a medical facility or spending a small fortune at the drugstore.
Which brings me to my Grandma and her homemade remedies; guaranteed to bring about a cure for what ails you.
I can say this because many of her remedies were used on me as a child.
Some of her homemade remedies used herbs and other natural ingredients that were known to our ancestors and have an honorable place in the history of healing. Keep in mind, in Grandma’s time doctors and hospitals were not readily available, and the woman of the house was most often called upon to help a family member with a health issue.
Luckily, my Grandma kept a notebook with her healing recipes and that has been passed down through the family until it is now my time to be the “Keeper of the Notebook”.
I would like to share a few of her homemade remedies with you and, if you try them, you will probably save some of your hard earned dollars and feel much better in the process.
Steam Treatment for Congestion: You will need about 3 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh thyme, sage, peppermint, eucalyptus or pine needles and boiling water.
1. Put the herbs in a medium bowl and add the boiling water
2. Lean over the bowl with a towel draped over your head and the bowl and inhale for 10 minutes. Repeat 2 or 3 times a day as needed.
Gargle Solution for a Sore Throat: In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine 2 heaping tablespoons brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon baking soda and 1 quart warm water. Shake the mixture well before each use. Gargle with up to ½ cup of this mixture as often as needed.
Cough Suppressant Medicine: In a small saucepan, combine 1 large onion finely diced, 2 cloves garlic, finely diced, 2 tablespoons finely diced fresh ginger. Add honey to cover and cook over very low heat for 30 minutes. Then, mash together and let cool. Strain and store in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator. Take one teaspoon every 15 to 30 minutes.
Cough Suppressant Tea: In a standard teacup, steep 4 fresh sage leaves or 1 teaspoon dried sage in freshly boiled water for at least 20 minutes. Strain and drink hot or cold.
As with any medicine, these homemade remedies may not taste good but they will give excellent relief for colds, coughs, sore throat and congestion.
I really feel that time is the real healer of these ailments rather than any medicine. However, if you can find a way to make yourself feel more comfortable and able to tolerate the “bug” that got you, why not give one of my Grandma’s remedies a try.
Kimberly Johns
Kimberly is enrolled on the CareOne Debt Management Plan (DMP). Kimberly is very active in the Community Forums, some of you may recognize her Community user name; Tiquie. Recently retired, Kim shares how she and her husband manage the financial challenges of living on a fixed income in their home state of Illinois. The John’s have found some really creative and fun ways to offset the limitations of a retirement income. Kimberly generously shares smart and tested tips in her A Straight Talk on Debt blog! Compensated Blogger for CareOne Debt Relief Services.
SOURCE: A Straight Talk on Debt – Read entire story here.