Scarfie campaign

Hi Steemit friends, I just wanted to share this article with you from the BBC News website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42199200 - The charity Asthma UK has started a campaign called #Scarfie to encourage asthma sufferers to wear a scarf over their nose and mouth when they go outside in the cold weather. This is because breathing in cold damp air can tighten airways and trigger an asthma attack.

Mums Advice

As a sufferer of mild asthma, and having had a few asthma attacks as a child, my mum was always worrying about me and encouraging me to wear a scarf over my chest and mouth during cold weather. I thought she was being over protective and that wrapping myself up in a scarf would ruin whatever image I was trying to cultivate at the time. I learnt the hard way that my mum was right! Every winter I’ve ended up getting a very bad cough which makes me reach for my inhaler (I don’t usually need it these days). A few years ago I remember stepping outside after swimming and getting dressed, and breathing in the cold damp air. I literally felt my airways constrict and knew that I would be coughing my guts out for a month. That taught me to take my mums advice more seriously.

Natural Home Remedies for coughs and cold

Winter is now in full swing and the season of goodwill is almost upon us, and so is the season of coughs, colds and flu. I thought I’d share a few home remedies with you for common winter ailments. I regularly use these at home for myself, my husband and my kids.

Ginger Tea

Adrak vali chai (ginger tea) is the most comforting drink if you’re suffering from a cough, cold or sore throat. It helps to loosen phlegm, and warm the throat. It’s also great for digestion and can help with nausea too. Indian people tend to drink this a lot in the winter months. It can be made simply by boiling a small amount of fresh root ginger (around an inch) in water for a few minutes, then straining and adding some honey or lemon for taste. As Punjabis tend to love our masala chai I add some black tea leaves after boiling the ginger for a few minutes. Then I add milk, bring to the boil and strain. Honey or sugar can be added depending on how you like it. Top tip: It’s best to grate the ginger for maximum ginger infusion.

Turmeric Milk (Haldi Vala doodh)

Usually the advice of every mother or grandmother is to stay away from dairy products when you have a cough or cold. They are right, but there is one exception: Haldi Vala Doodh or turmeric milk. Put one cup of milk into saucepan and add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder (it’s important to use good quality turmeric!). Bring it to the boil then pour into a cup, add some honey if you wish and enjoy. If I’m feeling run down I always drink a cup of this turmeric milk before going to bed. Now big coffee companies are trying to cash in on turmeric, by calling this age-old drink a Turmeric Latte and charging a ridiculous amount of money for the tiniest cup!

Gargling with Salt and Turmeric

Whenever I complained of a sore throat my mum always told me to gargle with warm salty water. When I became an adult and started reading books on ayurvedic remedies I learnt that adding turmeric is even more healing for a sore throat. Here’s how I make my salt and turmeric water for gargling: boil water and let it cool to a temperature that won’t kill if you sip it, add ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix well and gargle with it three times a day. It’s particularly beneficial if you do this last thing at night.

Turmeric and Ginger Tea

Even though I’m a black tea, milk and honey kind of girl, I’ve recently discovered the benefits of drinking turmeric and ginger tea. Here’s how you prepare it: Add 1 inch of fresh root ginger (sliced or grated) to a mugful of water. Bring to the boil and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric and remove from the heat. Strain into a cup, add a good squeeze of lemon and honey as per your taste. This is soothing and healing for colds, coughs and sore throats.

Honey, Black Pepper and Turmeric Throat Soother

For really stubborn coughs or sore throats a spoonful of honey mixed with a pinch of black pepper and turmeric provides relief. It’s best taken last thing at night and in my opinion Manuka honey is the best for this. It’s expensive but I keep a small jar of it at home just for medicinal purposes.

So in a nutshell make sure you have these three things in your house and you should be fine: Ginger, turmeric and honey.

Stay well
MummyImperfect x