As we know, everyone has their own traditions also with regards to natural medicine. So far there are herbal remedies suitable for treating the most widespread health problems. In this sense, tribes all over the world hold a treasure trove of natural recipes that even modern medicine should rediscover by evaluating its real effectiveness.
What we consider a common cold or cough can be very dangerous situations for children in developing countries. Pharmaceutical products are not always available to treat the various diseases, which is why local populations continue to use their natural recipes to treat and care for children.
In India, for example, in the Patalkot valley, local tribes use traditional methods of healing through herbs. According to their experience these formulations (made of course with plants typical of the area) are safe and non-toxic for babies and children and are still used by local healers (known as Bhumka) in particular to treat coughs, colds and sore throats. We present you some.
Fresh extract of Abro root (Abrus precatorius): it is used in case of cough. 10 grams of roots are placed in 10 ml of water and given to children 2 times a day for 3 days.
Decoction of coriander, cumin and roots of aromatic calamus (Acorus calamus): you prepare a decoction using equal amounts of these ingredients then 10 ml of what is obtained is given to children after meals.
Rhizome of aromatic calamus: this natural remedy is used in case of cough. A piece of rhizome is kept in the mouth of the child.
Justicia adhatoda and honey juice: a mixture made with the juice of the leaves of this plant (6ml) and honey (4ml) is given to children in case of cough.
Onion and honey juice: this is a remedy more familiar to us. It is used in case of cold and cough using a teaspoon of raw onion juice with half a teaspoon of honey. It should be left to rest and macerate for 3-4 hours and then given to the child.
Methi Pakoda: it is a special dish known for its beneficial properties for cough, it is prepared during the winter using garlic, ginger, trigonella and chopped chili and fried in rape oil. It is served hot to alleviate sore throat and cough.
Aloe: cannot miss the use of aloe barbadensis leaves from which the juice is extracted to which honey and Syzygium aromaticum powder are added. The compound is administered to the child 2 times a day in case of cough.
Shatavari root (Asparagus racemosus): the powder extracted from this plant is added to a glass of warm water in case of illness.
Mix against pertussis and sore throat: the same amount of sacred basil root powder, Aconitum ferox buds, Pepe Lungo fruit, Pistacia chinensis leaves and Cyperus rotundus roots are used together. About 2 g of this mix are given to the patient together with honey.
Carissa congesta and honey: the juice extracted from the leaves of this plant (5 ml) together with honey (4 ml) is given in case of dry cough.
Coloquintide (Citrullus colocynthis): a cut is made on the fruit of this plant and is filled with seeds of black pepper. Everything is dried in sunlight for 5 days, at which point should be taken with honey to treat cough.
Decoction of coriander and cumin: to these two ingredients is added also the sap of Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) to cure cough.
Mix of Cedar (in juice), toasted Toafetida, powder of Mirobolana chebulico, powder of Terminalia bellirica, Amla and liquorice powder. The mixture should be divided into two parts, the first should be given in the morning on an empty stomach and the second before going to sleep.
Milk and turmeric or pepper: a recipe reminiscent of golden milk, includes the addition of boiled turmeric powder along with milk to treat colds and coughs. In another variant, cow’s milk is added to a pinch of black pepper, then sugar is added before being given to the child.
Recipe against pertussis: according to the healers of the village of Harra Ka Chhar, to combat pertussis you can add powder of Carum ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) in the dose of 5 ga of milk (150 ml) and of Curcuma longa powder (2 g ) in a clay pot. You have to boil everything for 15 minutes before letting it thicken and take over.
Mango: to alleviate the dry cough this well-ripened fruit is roasted in a ground stove and then given to the child.
Guava: in case of dry cough this well-ripened fruit should be taken twice a day.
Remember that today practices of Bhumka have not undergone clinical trials to assess their potential. So let’s avoid experimenting, especially the more unusual ones (which is difficult because many of these plants are really difficult to find in our latitudes!). We can instead continue to use remedies that we already know as milk with turmeric, aloe vera juice, onion with honey, etc.
We believe that these traditional knowledge can serve as a useful starting point for modern science, always looking for new remedies.
Social Menu