Yes, I know it doesn't look appetizing.. turmeric gargle
It’s that time of the year again… everyone around me seems to be sick. And I’ve found myself constantly telling people to drink ginger tea or gargle with turmeric water. Yes, I’m *that* person. Eventually I just decided I should post my recommendations on the blog and be done with it.
To be honest, I was never very big on home remedies. But my husband and my mother-in-law seem to have some pretty good ones, so I’ve tried their suggestions with an open mind, and I’ve usually been pleasantly surprised.
If you have a cold, stuff nose, sore throat, etc., here are my top three remedies:
1. Turmeric & Salt gargle: My mother-in-law suggested this when I was sick, and I’ve become a convert. If you have one of those nasty colds where your throat is covered in gross phlegm and it hurts to swallow — try this. Heat up a mug of water until it’s nice and hot, add a spoonful of turmeric and a spoonful of salt. Stir well, and gargle with it (try not to swallow it, because it tastes nasty) about 3-4 times.
* Note: Do NOT do this in a white bathroom sink, because it will stain. Trust me.
2. Ginger Tea: Ginger tea is great for when you have a sore, phlegmy throat (can you tell I have sinus problems?). The ginger cuts right through the gunk, and it soothes your throat. Additionally, it helps to warm you up and fights nausea. My husband makes this by shredding ginger root with a grater, boiling it in a small saucepan with water and sugar, and then straining the ginger out.
*Side note: The last time I was in Mumbai, I came down with a throat infection, and my aunt gave me these home-made “candies” out of shredded ginger and jaggery, which is sort of like brown sugar. They were the best throat lozenges ever, and I need to find the recipe. If any of you know it, could you pass it along to me, please?
3. Boiling water: My mother-in-law suggested this one last time I had a headcold. Take a large pot of water, boil it on the stove and turn off the heat. Basically stick your face in the pan, and put the towel over your head so the steam can’t escape. This will (sometimes, but not all the time) clear your sinuses out after a few minutes. And, even if it doesn’t, it cleans your pores out, so why not at least try, right? 
Ok, now it’s your turn: Please share your favorite home remedy?
Thanks for those remedies! Turmeric is a very good spice for health!
Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:
1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
I also love to use the Neti pot to flush out my sinuses. It feels so good and I can breathe again instantly!
I’ll try that Ginger with dh this evening: is complaining of a sore throat.
Thanks for sharing!
For coughs, I mix about a tbsp of honey with black pepper, shredded ginger and lemon juice and eat the whole thing! it works!!
I tried this last week, as I was visiting my parents and came down with a bad cold AGAIN. It definitely helped!
To number 3 I would add a bit of Vick’s vaporub to the boiling water. It’s really good.
Thanks! I actually remembered that my mother-in-law had suggested the exact same thing, and the only reason we omitted the Vicks’s was simply that we didn’t have any on hand. I bet it works really well, though…
Try the ginger tea with honey too (added after boiling) since honey has antibacterial properties. I love natural remedies! Didn’t know the turmeric one, will try that if I get a sore throat, hope not needed though, touch wood!
Hi,
You are having an wonderful space, happy to see your Ginger tea and Turmeric.
If you get a dried Tulsi powder, it will be very good. It has more medicine value.
Nice seeing your Mehandi and the wedding cake.
Pls drop my space if you find some time.
During my last cold (which apparently may be lingering as bronchitis), breathing in steam was the only thing that helped me breathe! My mom had me do it once or twice when I was a kid, and I felt a little better while showering, so I gave it a shot. My husband was so excited to finally find something he could “do” to help me feel better that he kept me well-supplied with boiling water.