Grandmothers have the solution for almost everything and their knowledge goes from generation to generation, a tradition that should never end.
Our grandparents grew up without having pharmacies nearby and even less without the amount of medicines that we have today, which is why they had to seek relief from daily ills with what they had at hand.
The effectiveness of many of these remedies is scientifically supported. The doctor Francisco Marinfrom the Phytotherapy group of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (Semergen)explains the science behind the classic recipes of our elders.
1. Garlic for the heart: Cooked or raw, garlic is one of the most effective herbal drugs for cardiovascular prevention, according to the endorsement of ESCOP (the European Society for Cooperation in Phytotherapy) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA): it has beneficial effects on the profile lipid (good, bad and total cholesterol), arterial hypertension (mild or moderate) and prevents arterial embolisms (and with it, heart attacks and strokes). Garlic has also been shown to be really useful in colds and respiratory infections.
2. Lemon against stomach pain: A study by the German Center for Cancer Research has shown that citrus juice reduces infection caused by viruses that affect the digestive system (norovirus). Another less popular stomach remedy is ginger: its antiemetic effect (prevents vomiting) is supported by the EMA and ESCOP. «It is not only recommended for travel sickness, but also for vomiting from chemotherapy and pregnant women»says Marin.
3. Clove (aromatic) for toothache: “You have to apply two drops of clove oil directly on the painful area or instilled in a cotton swab and applied on the painful region”, describes. This achieves a local anesthetic effect, which is maintained for two or three hours and allows, for example, eating without pain. The remedy is as effective as it is cheap, but in exchange for a very bad taste, an inconvenience that is tolerated «because of the result, which is nothing short of miraculous,» emphasizes the doctor.
4. Mustard against respiratory infections: The Commission E of the German government grants scientific evidence to poultices based on compresses with crushed seeds or flour from the mustard plant (Brassica sp.) for diseases of the respiratory tract and chronic osteoarticular inflammation. According to Marín, poultices should be applied to the body for 15 minutes in adults and between 5 and 10 minutes in children. The problem comes when everyone wants to make their own recipe: «Hence to affirm that the mustard of the hot dog is good for colds, obviously, there is an abyss».
5. Alfalfa Leaves And Orange Juice For Anemia: Nothing as simple as mixing a proven source of iron (alfalfa), with another source rich in vitamin C that enhances iron absorption. It is a natural remedy, better tolerated than oral iron sold in pharmacies. However, the proposal is contraindicated in people with autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, lupus) and in transplant recipients or who are undergoing treatment to prevent rejection because “Alfalfa together with oranges increase the immunity of those who consume them”.
6. Eucalyptus vapor for nasal and chest congestion: Inhaling the steam that emanates from a saucepan with boiling water and eucalyptus leaves is an image of the past (humidifiers with a few drops of eucalyptus oil are now used). Its efficacy is recognized by all health authorities: EMA and Commission E approve the usefulness of eucalyptus leaf-based preparations for the treatment of cough associated with upper respiratory tract colds (throat and nose), and ESCOP shares the recommendations of eucalyptus essential oil for throat and nose infections.
7. Mint against halitosis: Even Donkey, Shrek’s talking donkey friend, recommends that mint counteracts bad breath. The characteristic smell of mint is due to its essential oil content, which is rich in menthol (between 45 and 55%) and hence its probable antihalitosis action. Nevertheless, “If we stick to what the scientific evidence says, it is the EMA itself that gives mint leaves (Mint piperita L.) a digestive antispasmodic action (that is, prevents colic, gas and flatulence)”, explains Francisco Marin. The EMA also awards the essential oil of peppermint “real efficacy in the treatment of tension headache, when this essential oil is applied topically at the correct dose”. However, the doctor warns: “Never use the essential oil without the supervision of an expert in the matter”.
Taken from El País