Ann Gabriel | Vigorbuddy
Filipinos are more inclined to do home remedies that has been handed down from generation to generation. Throughout the years, people have accumulated information on remedies have cured maladies. Some might be outrageous such as putting coffee on a wound, others can work wonders, at least to a certain degree.
Every culture has some sort of popular home remedy — that is, treatments passed down through the generations by oral tradition.
People or friends might even say, “Sabi ng Nanay ko…”
Here are 7 home remedies that work, and in some way have inspired modern medicine.
Fresh Bean Leaves
Scattering fresh bean leaves around a sleeping area can help kill bedbugs (surot) and prevent infestations.
According to a 2013 study, microscopic filaments on the leaves of kidney beans either impale and kill bedbugs creeping over them, or ensnare the bedbugs’ feet, trapping the insects. Because of this finding, researchers are now trying to make a synthetic version of the bean leaf that will stop bedbugs so people don’t have to rely on insecticides or leaves, which stop working once they dry out.
Frogs in milk
This story came from Russia. The story says that it’s smart to keep a frog in your milk to keep it from going sour.
Although, it appears to be preposterous, there’s plenty of evidence that the practice does, in fact, have roots in science. Amphibians, such as frogs, produce antimicrobial secretions that cover their skin. this secretion protects the frog against pathogens that thrive in damp places.
Studies that were made in 2012 found that 76 substances from the frogs’ skin can fight pathogens.
The secretions can keep harmful bacteria and microbes from spoiling the milk, giving the home remedy credence.
Americans believed that garlic is used as treatment for whooping cough.
Munching on a clove of garlic won’t cure whooping cough, a contagious respiratory illness, garlic does have other benefits. Garlic is an antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial weapon.
Freshly crushed garlic also contains allicin, a compound that can kill some germs on contact. It may also be used to treat high blood pressure.
If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquitoes, you should plant citronella and lemongrass in and around your home.
Lemongrass, locally known as tanglad, can also be used to add flavor to your food and drinks. You can even use it for your iced tea.
Onions
Onions are found in a slew of recipes for home remedies. Onions are a healthy source of vitamin C, flavonoids and phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds that may protect against cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Flavonoids give fruit and vegetables their pigment, and may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Ginger can soothe nausea. People used to use ginger for colds, stomach aches and menstruation pains, suggesting they had figured out that it was useful in some scenarios. Ginger is a safe and effective way to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Ginger reduces colon inflammation and ultimately reduce a person’s risk against colorectal cancer.
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