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What the doctor ordered – Mumbai Mirror

Posted: January 25, 2020 at 4:41 am

By Diksha Munjal

A list of home remedies for the most common health problems that even experts swear by

Dont want to run to the medicine box every time you get a sudden bout of cold, or try another new treatment for excessive hair fall? In this day and age, when youre bombarded with information in the form of DIY (Do It Yourself) treatments for every health condition imaginable; it gets difficult to decide whether to get a doctors appointment or play a game of trial and error. Despite the long-standing debate of home remedies versus modern medicine, a huge proportion of medical practitioners believe that some of our age-old, indigenous remedies are effective. Doctors believe that some of these have natural medicinal properties, and can be safely used in the preliminary stages of a wide range of medical conditions.

Heres a list of home remedies for the most common health problems that even doctors swear by.

Dr Vaishali S Khodade

According to Dr Khodade, it is indisputable that applying oil is magical for good scalp health. Using neem with good old coconut oil is the most effective and quick solution to get rid of dandruffs. Add a few drops of pure neem oil to your required quantity of coconut oil and apply the lukewarm mixture on your scalp and through the length of your hair. It is advised to keep it for at least an hour or two or apply it overnight. Wash hair with a mild shampoo the next morning.

Why does it work?Neem (biological name Azadirachta indica) is one of the most versatile medicinal plants found in the Indian subcontinent. Neem activates antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activities in the body and is one of the strongest blood purifier and detoxifier, says Dr Khodade. Neem leaves are considered safe to be taken internally or applied externally regularly.

Drumsticks for joint pain relief

Dr Arun Baviskar Orthopaedic

The natural chemical properties in some herbs have helped a great deal in development of the modern drugs, says Dr Baviskar.

Consuming them in their natural forms gives the best results, he says. Adding drumsticks to curries, stews, sambhar, dals or even pulao can help people of any age group get relief from joint pain and bone deficiencies. It can also be consumed as a juice or with milk.

Why does it work?Drumsticks (biological name Moringa oleifera), are loaded with calcium, iron and other vitamins, and help in strengthening bones. It contains the valuable compound Moringa, from where it gets its other name the magic tree. According to studies, in comparison with spinach, drumstick leaves have 30 times more iron than spinach and 100 times more calcium than milk.

Ghee balm for chapped lips

Dr Mithila Virnak Cosmetologist and trichologist

Even the subtle Mumbai winters give way to chapped lips, and using lip balms are not always effective. According to Dr Virnak, ghee the golden elixir is a great, natural moisturiser. Applying pure ghee to lips in the morning and before bedtime can help get smooth and soft skin.

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. Ghee in the purest form is safe even for a babys sensitive skin.

Clove to beat cough and cold

Dr Nitin Amale General Physician and surgeon

There is a natural ingredient in your kitchens spice cabinet for every seasonal health condition from the common cold to summertime dehydration, says Dr Amale. Natural ingredients can be utilised based on the cooling or heating effect that they have on the body.

Whether in the form of bud or grounded, clove works like a radiator for the body.

Roasting clove buds on a pan and inhaling the vapours, or simply putting finely ground clove buds in your tea, can do wonders for the seasonal bouts of cough and cold.

Why does it work?Clove has natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and warming properties. The heating effect helps clear the mucous tracts leading to decongestion and relief.

Cumin (Jeera) for weight loss

Dr Vijaya R Mhatre Surgeon

According to Dr Mhatre, the key to losing weight is to improve metabolism. An optimal metabolic rate leads to proper digestion and distribution of the food consumed, which in turn leads to proper fat breakdown. Having jeera goli (candy) or jeera soda post-dinner is an age-old Indian habit. However, Dr Mane suggests start the mornings with a spoonful of jeera seeds or powder with a tablespoon of water, or followed by half a glass of lukewarm water, to activate metabolism effectively.

Why does it work?Cumin increases the activity of digestive enzymes, potentially speeding up digestion. It also increases the release of bile from the liver, and helps digest fats and certain nutrients in the gut.

Instant acidity relief with cold milk

Dr Sachin P Khodade Surgeon

Why does it work?Milk absorbs acid formation in the stomach and neutralises the effect of the reflux. This instantly stops the burning sensation and gradually combats the acidity. The natural cooling property of milk can also help to ease the discomfort caused by peptic ulcers. However, milk will not work for lactose-intolerant persons.

While most of these remedies can safely be used by everyone and dont have any harmful side effects, personal medical history has to be kept in mind while trying these. Doctors advise giving a trial to measure the effectiveness. However, making lifestyle changes, eating healthy and throwing in a little bit of regular exercise enhances the effect of these remedies multiple folds and gives the body time to recover.

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What the doctor ordered - Mumbai Mirror


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