Mustard footbaths
Add 1 tbsp of dried mustard powder to any footbath for a head cold, headache or chest cough. The blood will flow away from the congested area to the feet, relieving the symptoms.
Mustard poultice
Add 1 tbsp mustard to 4 tbsp of flour. Add a little warm water, just enough to make a paste and apply to congested chest. Will add circulation and help relieve mucus congestion.
Garlic syrup
This syrup may also aid in helping control asthma attacks when unable to get a doctor or while waiting for medical attention. The following will be needed to make up the garlic syrup, peeled garlic cloves (1/4 kg) equal amounts of distilled water, 300ml glycerine, 750ml honey. Peel the garlic put into a wide mouth jar add equal amounts of vinegar and water to cover the garlic. Close it tightly and shake well, stand it in a cool place for four days, shake and stir twice daily, after the four days add the glycerine and shake again and leave for one day.
Then strain liquid through a sieve, blend in the honey and place the liquid in a labeled jar. Store in a cool place. Take 1 – 2 tsp every 2-3hours as needed through out the day. Can be diluted in juice or water if needed. In asthma 1 tsp every 15 mins until relief is noticed.
Barley water
Is also used as a kidney cleanser, tonic for fevers, sore throats, stomach and intestinal irritation and has the ability to strengthen your nails. Barley contains hordein which helps relieves asthma. To make the barley water place
the 1 part pearl barley grain, 9 parts water in a pot , boil for 20 minutes, then strain and drink,. Can add lemon rind to sweeten and with honey if needed. Drink frequently.
Onion compress
This simple home remedy helps break up the mucus on the chest. Chop up one onion, place in a muslin cloth or a similar thin type cloth, fold the cloth over the onion and wrap in hand towel, place this next to the skin on the front or back of the chest and then cover with a towel, placing a hot water bottle and blanket over the top and keep on for 1-2 hours. Apply 2-3 times daily.
Onion remedy
Peel and chop onions (red onions are best) cover with some natural honey. Simmer for 10 minutes, then strain and use as cough medicine. Take 1 tsp hourly or as required.
Alternatively place one chopped onion in a bowl, Spoon honey over the top and leave to sit. After a few hours a liquid will form with the honey and onion juice, take 1 tsp hourly or as needed.
Almond Drink
Grind or blend almonds into a powder and steep in 600ml of cold water. This homemade almond milk can help soften coughs and is a nutritious drink for fevers also.
Inhalation with eucalyptus oil
Place a few drops of oil in a large bowl of boiling water, place face above water and with a towel over the head breathe through the nose. Inhalations with essential oils can be especially useful in clearing stuffy noses! Other useful essential oils for sniffles and coughs are tea tree, myrrh and peppermint oils (take advice in the use of essential oils in pregnancy.) Can repeat the inhalation as needed. Please don’t use with children under the age of 2 years and supervision during the inhalation is a good idea!
Fenugreek Infusion
Pour boiling water over a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Then cover and strain when cool and drink. Can be flavored with juice for children. Fenugreek is great for reducing phlegm, good for gastritis, general debility, can help reduce gastrointestinal inflammation, can help promote lactation in pregnancy and can be a useful herb in diabetes.
Irritable dry hacking cough
When the cough is dry but the need to constantly cough is there! These types of coughs can become painful! Irritation and inflammation can result in chest soreness the below recipe can help provide relief and help soothe irritated airways.Pour 1-2 tbsp of whole linseed and the juice of 2 large lemons and 2 tbsp of natural honey into a dish. Pour 1.2 litres of boiling water over it , cover and let steep until the mucilage has been drawn out of the seeds ( couple of hours at least) Take 1 tbsp 1-2 hourly or as required to ease the cough.
Clearing hoarseness and reducing phlegm
At times a cough can seem to have endless ability to produce mucus! This is good if the mucus is coming up to clear rather then staying in the lungs or chest and you do not want to suppress that. The home remedy below can help bring up and ease sticky or stubborn mucus or a wet cough and is quite easy and simple.
Thoroughly beat an egg white which has not been kept in the fridge. Then gently stir in the juice of one lemon, 1 tsp natural or manuku honey and add 3 drops of glycerine. Beat it all together. Take 1 tsp before meals or 2 hourly.
Have fun with experimenting with these first aid naturopathic remedies at home! They are effective in helping ease the symptoms and duration of nasty cold and coughs within the family. May seem a little bit tricky to begin with! But once you have made the recipe once it does become a lot easier thereafter! If during the winter season you happen to catch one of the many colds and coughs going around! Stay warm, wrap yourself up in wool if possible ( is one of the warmest clothes fiber’s) and rest we often forget that during sickness or times when we are unwell our body needs this time out to strengthen and fully recover from the illness. Take care and I will look forward to creating the next wintertime naturopathic blog article with more handy
home first aid hints.
Any further queries please free to pop into the clinic or ring and make an appointment. We offer wonderful affordable acute appointments for adults, babies and children here in the clinic. These are of great use in helping support you through those lingering colds and coughs in our cold damp winter months at this time of year.
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