KITCHEN INGREDIENTS THAT HOLD THE REMEDY

The kids are back in school and the germs are once again being spread. Now is the time to make sure your medicine cabinet and kitchen cupboards are stocked up. We all have our medicine cabinets that hold everything from Band-Aids, pain and fever reducers, allergy medications and medication for heartburn relief, just to name a few. However, there are times when our medicine cabinet may not hold what we need, but our kitchen does. For me, there are many times when over-the-counter medications just do not work as well as natural remedies do so I turn to my kitchen before my medicine cabinet.

Hot Toddy

With all those germs being spread among the kids and the cold and flu season quickly approaching, having things on hand to help relieve the symptoms is a necessity. Being from a British background, I grew up with hot toddies in times of cold and flu. A traditional hot toddy is defined as a drink made with whiskey, brandy or other liquor that is mixed with water, sugar, and spices and served hot. I am not a big alcohol drinker, so my typical hot toddy for my family is made a little different. I use fresh lemonade and honey served hot and it works wonders. While there are a variety of ways to make hot toddies, the important part is serving it hot.

While the idea of hot toddies and hot drinks like tea have always been recommended for the cold and flu, it wasn't until a 2009 study published in Rhinology that it was shown to really make a difference. Researchers looked at 30 participants with a cold or the flu and divided them into two groups. One received a hot drink while the other group received the same drink at room temperature. The researchers discovered that those who received the hot drink saw immediate relief from runny noses, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness, and tiredness. Those receiving the room temperature drink found relief from only a runny nose, cough and sneezing.

Ginger

Ginger is a root herb that is commonly used for flavoring in cooking but it also has a rich history in being used as a medicinal treatment. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, ginger has been used for many years in Asian medicine as a way to treat stomach aches and nausea and it can provide great relief if you are experiencing morning sickness. According to the National Institutes of Health, ginger contains a chemical that works to reduce nausea and inflammation. Many researchers are studying the effects of ginger on inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. I know when I was pregnant, my favorite morning snack to calm my stomach was my favorite box of ginger snap cookies and I try and keep them in the house just in case.

Honey

I mentioned above with my hot toddies that I use honey, but hot toddies and colds are only the beginning of the amazing powers of honey. I have always used honey during the cold and flu season and am a regular user of honey in my daily hot cup of tea. I have always felt that honey helped during the cold season and medical research has proven it. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine looked at the effects of honey compared to the drugs dextromethorphan (DM) and diphenhydramine (DPH) when it comes to nighttime coughs. The researchers found that a 2.5-milliliter dose of honey before bed was more effective at suppressing an upper respiratory cough than either medication.

While over-the-counter medications have their place, sometimes I find turning to the kitchen can have better results and are a more natural alternative.