By: Nancy Whitaker
It seems like I can’t get a break. I thought that after the winter thaw my allergies and respiratory illnesses would disappear. Well Spring, arrived then I was struck by the flu bug. (Cough cough sensitivity sniff).
I noticed last Thursday my throat was sore, and by the next morning I woke up and my voice was so hoarse I sounded like a man!!
I was very fortunate that my doctor called in an antibiotic for me. By Saturday, I was feeling worse with my head and nose plugged and a very sore throat.
So I took it to my friends on Social Media to ask for remedies for a cold and felt very happy at the responses I received.
One poster said to take a hot shower and go to bed and stay there. Another cure was to drink green tea with lemon and honey. One commenter told me to grease bottom of my feet with Vicks salve and put socks on.
Another poster said honey, whiskey and lemon (hot toddy). Then I was told to try salt water or vinegar. A lady also told me to suck on chloriseptic drops. They are to stop a sore throat in 2 days.
The funniest advice I got was to “stop kissing.” (but that is how I got it in the first place).
Thinking back to the early settlers, I thought, “if I was a pioneer and was this sick, I would probably die.”
I did some research on Spices and how they had been used to cure many ailments. The pioneers and Indians made teas out of sassafras and dandelions.
A lot of southern women had herb gardens which they used for cooking and medicinal reasons.
Many herbs were bound together and dried inside their homes for use in the winter.
Imagine the rich blend of fragrances in a colonial kitchen, the spicy scent of dried herbs mingled with wood smoke from the hearth, the stew simmering in a big iron kettle and savory meat roasting over the flames. Delightful. But is it delightful enough to get rid of the flu and cold germs?
Today I am feeling somewhat better and am thankful we have the modern medicines we have access to.
I also tried some of the advice given to me via Social Media. So if one thing didn’t work, maybe the next one would.
However, I just can’t do the “No kissing one.” After all we may as well pass this flu bug around again.
Have you ever tried any herbs or spices for medicinal purposes? Do you know how to make a hot toddy? Let me know and I’ll give you a Penny for your Thoughts.
