I was watching my evening health show on Inooro T.V as one of the audience tossed a question to the panel asking how he can manage his cold which he has once every week because of the work he does. With the rest of the audience nodding their heads perplexed, it was evident that this was a common ailment roaming in most households. Looking back at how I control my cold before visiting a doctor, I sighed with gratitude as I had first hand knowledge from my late grandma on home made remedies on common illnesses. What is knowledge if you cannot share it. On this blog, I will highlight some remedies that should be on your fingertips before spending that extra coin in the hospital.
HAVING A RUNNY NOSE?
Funny how there is no cure for a cold, but there are as many effective preventive measures ( remedies) for it.
What is a runny nose?
What causes a runny nose?
I’m sure you’re having these questions running around.
‘running’ nose is a fluid from your nostrils that never stops running. Its a thin layer of mucous, sometimes a thick yellowish – greenish heavy substance that drips from your nostrils, mostly caused by cold, dry air which keeps the nasal lining dry.
It may be caused due to various factors, such as:
– Temperature changes; dry air etc
– Allergies ( dust, fever, animals)
– Exercise ( fatigue)
– Infections ( flu, Coronavirus, common cold)
– Acute sinusitis (sinuses)
– Hormonal changes
You name it..
First things first, buckle up for this greatness.
Drink up some water as you read this.
HOME REMEDIES FOR A RUNNY NOSE/ A COLD
1.Make yourself a hot drink
Have a stove? And some tea leaves or tea bag or coffee?
That’s a good start.
Herbal teas such as chamomile, ginger, mint and other immunity boosting beverages is a great beginner move. Healthy drinks such us, hot water with some fresh cut lemon, grounds of ginger and some honey acts as a wellness shot.
Hot tea act as an opener for airways. Having this every morning is advisable. For that sore throat and other pains to be cut out.
2. Drink up!
Drink for hydration. Drink as much water and fluids that aim to hydrate your body.
Why? Apparently it thins up mucus from your sinuses and helps with its running.
Water decongests the nasal glands, freeing you from any blockages. But avoid dehydrated drinks such as alcohol, coffee or any caffeinated sodas.
3. Inhale steam.
Steam makes a you feel a bit better, remember, there’s no cure for a cold.
Fill up a bowl with hot water or some basin and cover yourself with it using a towel.
You can spice it up by adding drops of decongestant oils such as Olbas oil, eucalyptus, tea tree, mint, peppermint, rosemary you name it. Also, you can use a tinch of rob or Vicks Vapo rub or menthol plus, whatever suits you!
After, you can blow out your nose since your airways have opened up a little bit.
Do this 2-3 times a day if you still have symptoms.
4.Warm compress
Warm compress, how can I stress this.
Doesn’t it feel good, when you have some warm water squeezed in a washcloth and having it placed on your forehead?
Now this time you can also put it on your nose or thr area around it.
It soothes sinus pressure by boosting blood circulation in those areas.
On the nose, it also creates moisture, which helps with the stuffiness by adding moist in the air that you breathe.
5. Eating quality Food.
Adding foods such as eggs, nuts, salmon (una, my favourite), dark leafy greens ( sukuma, mrenda, mkunde and the likes) will boost your immune system.Having fruits and making delicious smoothies in your diet, will surely bring back your energy.
Add those berries and that top that cherry in it.
6. Take a rest
Take an off day for that body. Or how the ‘wazungus’ say, take a chill pill for goodness sake. Your body needs time to rejuvenate in order to function better.
You got this! Don’t forget about your water, sleep, food and hot shower
What about sore throat?
Gargle warm salt water to soothe the pain.
Salt water also helps reduce severity of an infection, the cold and flu etc.
WHAT ABOUT A HEADACHE?
Headaches are caused by numerous factors, from lack of enough sleep to nutrient deficiency, dehydration, alcohol, overdose, underlying sickness, genetics etc.
NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR HEADACHES.
Drink Water
I’ll always emphasize, take your water, plenty of it. Dehydration is the most common case for a headache.
How to hydrate? You know it.
Take plenty of fluids- water, juices and fruits.
Heard of watermelon?
Get some sleep.
Enough and quality sleep.
Researchers say, 7-9 hours of sleep is essential. Sleep gets your body to recover and boosts your mental and physical wellbeing. Insomnia and other sleep disorders increase your chances of getting a headache.
And what will boost your sleep?
-having a disciplined sleep routine.
-Spend your day time outside, for the sun. ( Sun exposure helps in maintaining a regular circadian rhythm )
-Avoid electronics before bed time, make sure to sleep in a dark room
-Exercise
-Don’t eat too heavy before bed/ evening
-Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks before bed.
Make yourself a cold compress
Take a washcloth, put some ice cold water in it and squeeze, place it on your head.
Greatness tupu!
You can also have a bag of ice or a wash cloth filled with one.Other areas like the neck is also advisable, to put on your washcloth. A cold compress slows down nerve conduction and opens up blood vessels which help toning down the headache.
Watch your diet
Try and see whats inducing your headache. It might be something you are consuming. From foods to drinks, mostly caffeinated ones for example, old cheese, coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits.These might trigger migraines.Take up some tea and coffee. Some amount of caffeine may help with soothing headaches.
Caffeine is known for increasing mood, alertness,constricting blood vessels , which help in reducing headaches.
Acupuncture and aroma therapy.
This will need you to get out of the house or have a profession help you with it inside.
Acupuncture is a form of medicinal technique, from the Chinese, where needles are inserted in specific parts of the body.
This practice is believed to work effectively on migraines.
You can try it!
Nonetheless, Aroma therapy!
This is where we use essential oils for its great benefits.
This therapeutic practice is used to improve mood, relieve pain and bring relaxation to the body, also, reduce insomnia.Essential oils such as eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, lavender bring immense improvement to headaches. You can put some on your wrists or temples, so that it can diffuse and help with the headaches.
Meditation
Yoga is one way to do it.
It helps with any tension in the body, reduces stress and improves your overall well-being. Yoga is known to reduce tension in headaches. Nature walk can be as important as doing a yoga. Relieving stress can be the start to kill that migraine.
Take on some wellness shots incorporating ginger.
Ginger consists of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances which are beneficial to reducing pain, such as migraines.
Take up some supplements and vitamins
Coenzyme Q10, a substance produced by the body which produces energy and acts as an antioxidant. Many researches show that CoQ10 helps reduce migraine frequency and duration. Others are; magnesium supplements, B vitamins e.g folate, B 12 etc.
Conclusion.
From highlighting remedies on cold and headache, I do also want to cleanse my hands like Pontius Pilate. Take into consideration the above remedies and please consult your physician if the symptoms persist. As a map is important to a traveler, may this blog be important in your life. Wishing you and your family a healthy life.
With love, Grandma.
Health and Fitness 