No matter where in the world you’re from, chances are you know someone or have someone in your family who insists on using natural remedies for illness and injury. While those who live in Western countries tend to prioritize medical solutions, natural remedies can sometimes be a cheap and effective way to relieve symptoms or solve problems. Here are a few popular natural remedies you may have never heard of from different places around the world.
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Oils
While it might sound cliche, Italians have been known to use Olive Oil as a natural remedy, not just as a delicious staple of their cuisine. Today, we know that olive oil is an incredibly healthy source of fat, containing Omega 3s and promoting good heart health. It can also be used as a natural moisturizer and is excellent for dry hair or nails. While there may be no specific application of olive oil for illness or injury, Italians know the solution to most of life’s problems is: just add some olive oil. Others prefer different types of oil.
In recent years, there’s been a rise in the popularity of essential oils and CBD. Some like to diffuse essential oils for calming or revitalizing benefits. Those who enjoy CBD will consume the oil directly or prefer CBD gummies. Natural remedies are something we may associate with the past, but they’re still quite popular in every area of the world.
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Hot Beverages
Everyone can agree that there’s nothing better than a hot cup of tea when you have a cold or the flu. Many cultures around the world use tea as a natural remedy for these illnesses, mental peace of mind, lip repair, etc, brewing up various combinations of herbs and ingredients that are known to help with symptoms. In the Dominican Republic, a tea is made out of two unlikely ingredients: onion and passion fruit. That’s right, they’re boiling a sliced onion with passion fruit and drinking the resulting liquid. In Mexico, the preferred allium is garlic, but sometimes they’ll go for the tastier cinnamon tea. India brews a tasty golden latte with milk and turmeric, and cultures all over the world use the classic combination of ginger, lemon, and honey.
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Soups and Stews
Another very comforting staple of sickness foods is soup. Almost everyone can remember a time when their mother set down a bowl of chicken soup when they had a cold. Many cultures have their own go-to soup or stew for fighting illness. In China, a dish called congee is made, using rice and chicken stock. Ingredients like garlic and ginger can be added, as well, to boost the cold-fighting power of the stew. Similarly, those in the Philippines make a rice porridge called Lugaw when they feel symptoms setting in. When you have a cold and there aren’t many things that can help, a steaming bowl of porridge sounds like it could do wonders.
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Increased Comfort
When you were sick as a child, you may have liked getting your back rubbed or sitting in a hot bath. We know that having a comfortable setting for recuperation can do wonders, and many cultures around the world choose to use things like temperature and pressure to fight illness. In Mexico, children with colds will sometimes be given something called a “sleeping remedy”, where the child’s bed sheets are ironed right before they go to bed to ensure the bed is nice and warm.
Then, Vicks VaporRub is applied to the chest. This combination can help fight a fever, decrease congestion, and overall make sleep more comfortable. Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to fight illness, so it seems like Mexico is on to something there. In Cambodia, you’d receive a warm, soothing foot bath, and in Zambia a steam bath full of the restorative Mayani herb. Around the world, people have found simple but effective ways to make the sick more comfortable and reduce symptoms.
