Growing up, I quickly learned that my mum had natural remedies for just about anything. Whether it was a nagging headache, an upset stomach, or boosting my immune system to keep those pesky colds at bay. She had a go-to solution that was as natural as it was effective. These remedies have stood the test of time, and I’ve come to appreciate their power. Here are some of her favourites that I still live by today.
1. Headache relief: water and a good massage
Whenever I complained of a headache, the first question my mum would ask was, “Have you drunk enough water today?” More often than not, dehydration was the culprit, and she’d have me drink several glasses of water. The throb would usually ease within an hour. If it was particularly stubborn, she’d ask me to gently massage the area where the sensation was coming from and apply pressure with my thumb in small, circular motions. These simple remedies have helped me avoid painkillers unless absolutely necessary.
2. Taming stomach upsets with black tea
For a stomach upset or diarrhoea, my mum would brew a strong cup of black tea. Black tea contains tannins that can reduce bowel movement frequency. She also recommended plain yoghurt for its probiotics, which help restore the good bacteria in the gut. Together, these two ingredients have been my saviours for any stomach upset.
3. Immune boosting the old-fashioned way
My mum firmly believes in prevention by keeping our immune systems strong. Her immune-boosting arsenal includes a diet high in vitamin C, with citrus fruits, berries, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. Although, over the years, I’ve also opted for good-quality vitamin C with zinc supplements. Garlic and ginger are her other staples – garlic for its antiviral properties and ginger for its anti-inflammatory benefits. During flu season or when feeling run down, she’d faithfully take these natural remedies by drinking garlic in water or making a ginger tea. It’s a routine I’ve adopted and taken a step further by gulping immune-boosting shots with these potent ingredients that have served me well.
4. The miracle of moringa powder
In recent years, my mum discovered moringa powder, and she’s been talking about it ever since. Moringa powder is made from the leaves of the moringa tree, which is native to India and southeast Asia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Arabia. Moringa is packed with nutrients like vitamins A, B, and C, iron, and calcium. Look for the powder from the leaves and not the root or stem. One teaspoon of this green powder in hot water can significantly boost health. Thanks to her, it’s now a regular part of my diet, and I’ve noticed a marked improvement in my energy levels after taking it. My mum’s always been ahead of the curve when it comes to health trends, and moringa is one of her great finds.
5. Boosting red blood cells with beetroot
My mum always emphasised the importance of maintaining healthy iron levels, especially as women during our periods. Her go-to food? Beetroot. Rich in iron, folate, and copper, beetroot is fantastic for boosting red blood cells. Whether eaten raw, added to salads, or blended into smoothies with carrots and red apples, beetroot is one of those natural remedies that’s been incredibly effective for me, particularly when my iron levels dip.
6. Sharpening brain function with coconut oil
As we age, keeping our memory sharp becomes increasingly important. My mum’s remedy for this is organic virgin cold-pressed coconut oil. She takes a teaspoon in hot water every day. The MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) in coconut oil are said to be excellent for brain health, providing energy to brain cells and helping to stave off cognitive decline or dementia. Plus, coconut oil has additional benefits like boosting our good cholesterol and improving metabolism. It’s a habit I’ve picked up that will hopefully make a difference over time.
7. Healing the gut with probiotics
Long before leaky gut syndrome became a buzzword, my mum was already talking about the importance of gut health. Leaky gut syndrome is thought to be a digestive condition that occurs when our intestinal lining becomes damaged and allows larger molecules, chemicals, and microbes to pass through into our bloodstream. My mum believes that a healthy gut is the foundation of overall health, and a diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics are the route for keeping it in check. Foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, plain yoghurt, and kombucha are great for introducing good bacteria into the gut, while olive oil helps protect our gut lining. Avoiding irritants to our gut like sugar and processed foods is also crucial, though nowadays I’m also avoiding wheat and gluten. Following her advice has helped me maintain a balanced gut, improving my digestion and overall health.
8. Super seeds: chia and flax
One of my mum’s more recent additions to her treasure trove of remedies is incorporating chia and flax seeds into her daily diet. These tiny seeds pack a powerful punch, rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. Chia and flax seeds are known to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure while reducing inflammation. Flax seeds, in particular, are believed to improve blood fat composition and help regulate bowel movements. Meanwhile, chia seeds are a great source of protein and contain calcium and manganese, which help strengthen our bones.
Inspired by her, I now sprinkle these seeds into smoothies, salads or my main meals, and I’ve expanded my seed intake to include pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds as the more, the merrier.
So next time you’re feeling off, maybe give one of these natural remedies a try. After all, mum really does know best!
I love reading about all these natural and holistic remedies! Some of my favorites are: Stinging nettle tea for allergies, Clove tea to reduce inflammation, massage for blood circulation and consistent exercise for better sleep.