Age-old treatments and modern medicine have always been at odds with each other. But there are some things that both grandmothers and GPs agree on.
Today, when you’re bombarded with information in the form of DIY treatments for every health condition imaginable, it’s hard to decide whether to ask a doctor or play a game of trial and error. Despite the debate about home remedies vs modern medicine, many medical practitioners believe that age-old indigenous remedies are effective and can safely be used in the preliminary stages of a wide range of conditions. Here are some home remedies that even doctors swear by:
NEEM CHAMPI TO FIGHT DANDRUFF
Cosmetologist and dietician Dr Vaishali Khodade believes that oiling is good for scalp health, and adding some neem to coconut oil is an effective and quick way to get rid of dandruff. Add a few drops of pure neem oil to your required quantity of coconut oil and apply the lukewarm mixture on your scalp and along the length of your hair. Keep it for at least an hour or two, or apply it overnight. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo the next morning.
Why does it work?
Neem is one of the most versatile medicinal plants in the Indian subcontinent. “Neem activates antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial activities in the body,” says Dr Khodade. Neem leaves are considered safe to be taken internally or applied externally. Neem is also one of the most powerful blood purifiers and detoxifiers.
DRUMSTICKS FOR JOINT PAIN RELIEF
Natural products, says Dr Arun Baviskar, orthopaedist at Om Navjeevan Hospital, have come to be used for modern drug development. “However, consuming them in their natural form, in a saatvik diet is most effective,” he says. Adding drumsticks to curries, stews, sambhar, dals or even pulao can help those any age group get relief from joint pain and bone-related deficiencies or weaknesses. It can also be consumed regularly in the form of a juice or with milk.
Why does it work?
Drumsticks contain calcium, iron and other vitamins that help to strengthen bones. According to studies, compared to spinach, drumstick leaves have 30 and 100 times more iron and calcium, respectively.
GHEE BALM FOR CHAPPED LIPS
Even the subtle Mumbai winter can give you chapped lips. So Dr Mithila Virnak, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist and Trichologist at Elan Skin Clinic, recommends pure ghee as a natural moisturiser. Apply to your lips in the morning and before bedtime; it helps just as much as any balm.
Why does it work?
Ghee contains essential fatty acids that activate hydration in skin cells, thus moisturising the skin. It is a kind of bonding agent that can pair with other nutrients to get to the deepest layers of the skin. In its purest form, it is safe for even sensitive skin.
CLOVE BEATS COUGH AND COLD
“There is a natural ingredient in your kitchen’s spice cabinet for every seasonal health condition, from common cold to summertime dehydration,” says Dr Nitin Amale, GP and surgeon. Cloves, in either the bud or ground form, works like a heat radiator for your body, while roasting clove buds on a pan and inhaling the vapours, or putting finely ground clove buds in your tea, can do wonders for a cough and cold. No wonder clove is a staple in traditional winter sweets like ladoos or halwas.
Why does it work?
Clove has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and warming properties. Its heating effect helps melt the cough or clear the mucous tracts leading to decongestion and relief.
CUMIN FOR WEIGHT LOSS
According to Dr Vijaya R Mhatre, family physician and surgeon with Vinayak Clinic, the key to losing weight is to improve metabolism. An optimal metabolic rate leads to proper digestion and break down of fat. Having jeera goli (candy) or jeera soda post dinner is an ageold Indian habit. However, Dr Mane suggests you start the morning with a spoonful of jeera seeds or powder, with a tablespoon of water, followed by half a glass of lukewarm water. This activates metabolism.
Why does it work?
Cumin increases the activity of digestive enzymes, speeding up digestion, and also increases the release of bile in the liver, which helps digest fats and certain nutrients in your gut. It has properties that help rid the body of bad, LDL cholesterol.
We’ve all had those nights when deadly acid reflux kicks in and an antacid is nowhere to be found. “Cold milk is your magic tonic,” says Dr Sachin P. Khodade, GP and surgeon. Any time you feel acidity building in the stomach or a sensation of heartburn, sip on a glass of chilled milk, with or without a sweetener/syrup.
Why does this work?
Milk absorbs acid formation in the stomach and helps neutralise the effect of the reflux. This stops the burning sensation and gradually combats acidity. The natural cooling property of milk can also help to ease the discomfort caused by peptic ulcers. But it’s important to note that cold milk as a remedy is not advisable for lactoseintolerant persons.
While most of these remedies can be used by everyone and don’t have any harmful side effects, one’s personal medical history has to be kept in mind.
Cosmetologist and dietician Dr Vaishali Khodade believes that oiling is good for scalp health, and adding some neem to coconut oil is an effective and quick way to get rid of dandruff. Add a few drops of pure neem oil to your required quantity of coconut oil and apply the lukewarm mixture on your scalp and along the length of your hair. Keep it for at least an hour or two, or apply it overnight. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo the next morning.
Why does it work?
Neem is one of the most versatile medicinal plants in the Indian subcontinent. “Neem activates antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial activities in the body,” says Dr Khodade. Neem leaves are considered safe to be taken internally or applied externally. Neem is also one of the most powerful blood purifiers and detoxifiers.
DRUMSTICKS FOR JOINT PAIN RELIEF
Natural products, says Dr Arun Baviskar, orthopaedist at Om Navjeevan Hospital, have come to be used for modern drug development. “However, consuming them in their natural form, in a saatvik diet is most effective,” he says. Adding drumsticks to curries, stews, sambhar, dals or even pulao can help those any age group get relief from joint pain and bone-related deficiencies or weaknesses. It can also be consumed regularly in the form of a juice or with milk.
Why does it work?
Drumsticks contain calcium, iron and other vitamins that help to strengthen bones. According to studies, compared to spinach, drumstick leaves have 30 and 100 times more iron and calcium, respectively.
GHEE BALM FOR CHAPPED LIPS
Even the subtle Mumbai winter can give you chapped lips. So Dr Mithila Virnak, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist and Trichologist at Elan Skin Clinic, recommends pure ghee as a natural moisturiser. Apply to your lips in the morning and before bedtime; it helps just as much as any balm.
Why does it work?
Ghee contains essential fatty acids that activate hydration in skin cells, thus moisturising the skin. It is a kind of bonding agent that can pair with other nutrients to get to the deepest layers of the skin. In its purest form, it is safe for even sensitive skin.
CLOVE BEATS COUGH AND COLD
“There is a natural ingredient in your kitchen’s spice cabinet for every seasonal health condition, from common cold to summertime dehydration,” says Dr Nitin Amale, GP and surgeon. Cloves, in either the bud or ground form, works like a heat radiator for your body, while roasting clove buds on a pan and inhaling the vapours, or putting finely ground clove buds in your tea, can do wonders for a cough and cold. No wonder clove is a staple in traditional winter sweets like ladoos or halwas.
Why does it work?
Clove has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and warming properties. Its heating effect helps melt the cough or clear the mucous tracts leading to decongestion and relief.
CUMIN FOR WEIGHT LOSS
According to Dr Vijaya R Mhatre, family physician and surgeon with Vinayak Clinic, the key to losing weight is to improve metabolism. An optimal metabolic rate leads to proper digestion and break down of fat. Having jeera goli (candy) or jeera soda post dinner is an ageold Indian habit. However, Dr Mane suggests you start the morning with a spoonful of jeera seeds or powder, with a tablespoon of water, followed by half a glass of lukewarm water. This activates metabolism.
Why does it work?
Cumin increases the activity of digestive enzymes, speeding up digestion, and also increases the release of bile in the liver, which helps digest fats and certain nutrients in your gut. It has properties that help rid the body of bad, LDL cholesterol.
We’ve all had those nights when deadly acid reflux kicks in and an antacid is nowhere to be found. “Cold milk is your magic tonic,” says Dr Sachin P. Khodade, GP and surgeon. Any time you feel acidity building in the stomach or a sensation of heartburn, sip on a glass of chilled milk, with or without a sweetener/syrup.
Why does this work?
Milk absorbs acid formation in the stomach and helps neutralise the effect of the reflux. This stops the burning sensation and gradually combats acidity. The natural cooling property of milk can also help to ease the discomfort caused by peptic ulcers. But it’s important to note that cold milk as a remedy is not advisable for lactoseintolerant persons.
While most of these remedies can be used by everyone and don’t have any harmful side effects, one’s personal medical history has to be kept in mind.
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