Polish home remedies for cold, stomach ache, etc.?

convexThreads: 46 Posts: 7,185 Joined: Nov 25, 09 ♂	Feb 1, 10, 11:48 #1
Anyone have Polish home remedies for things like a cold, stomach ache, etc?

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Edited by: gumishu Feb 1, 10, 12:08 #2

a sore throat or light lung conditions are treated with hot milk with a spoonful of butter in it and one chopped piece of garlic sweetened with either honey or sugar (this will also get you to sleep pretty soon)

a cold is treated with hot beverage made with raspberry juice (or raspberry jam in case you haven't got juice) (homemade products are prefferable)

another remedy for a cold (or a fever in general) is lime tree blossom tea (you can buy lime tree blossom tea in herbal remedies stores)

I have personally treated some serious lung condition eating several cloves of garlic at a time two three times a day for a couple of consecutive days

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Feb 1, 10, 14:00 #3

Gumishu mentioned the hot milk-butter-garlic concoction, and that is very popular here--especially for children.

For adults, I recently became aware of "Tea with Electricity." I think it is called something like herbata z prontkyi (or prontek). A shot of rum in piping hot, black tea. Supposed to cure colds and sinus troubles. For those who do not like rum, they use cytronowka vodka, heated, and pour it into Ceylon Gold type tea that is lighter in color.

My Polish neighbor swears by echinacea tea with raspberry syrup in it for a cold.

She also likes Amol--you put the bottled liquid in a bowl of hot water, drape a towel over ypur head and lean over the bowl. It appears to be a eucalyptus-herb blend that is organic and is supposed to open sinuses and clear throats.

I heard Amol is the store version of a grandmother's homemade remedy from a long time ago, but I do not know that for sure.

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Feb 1, 10, 14:05 #4

bookratt:

herbata z prontkyi

herbata z prądem

exactly what you've mentioned, tea with rum or vodka...

gumishu:

several cloves of garlic at a time

I would be careful there with garlic, many old wives and grannies say it works miracles, my own mum forced me into eating a lot of garlic when I was small ( you'll be stronger and healthier ), but I recall I've read and heard from a few sources that eating more than one clove of garlic at a time can harm your bacterial flora in your alimentary tract..

pgtxThreads: 49 Posts: 6,327 Joined: Feb 14, 09 MEMBER ♀	Apr 6, 11, 16:55 #5
what will help for a sore throat? i'm trying everything... milk with honey, Halls, ice cream... and it still hurts... :( for the last few day i had upper respiratory infection, my doctor have my antibiotics and i feel much better today, but the left over is my sore throat... :(

Marynka11Threads: 8 Posts: 1,447 Joined: Nov 3, 10 ♀	Apr 6, 11, 16:58 #6
pgtx Gurgle with very salty water. That helps the pain usually.

aphrodisiacThreads: 22 Posts: 3,998 Joined: Apr 15, 09 ♀	Apr 6, 11, 16:59 #7
pgtx: milk with honey this is actually not good. Honey is sugar and it helps the bacteria grow. Nothing really and no talking.

pgtxThreads: 49 Posts: 6,327 Joined: Feb 14, 09 MEMBER ♀	Apr 6, 11, 17:03 #8
Marynka11: Gurgle with very salty water. oh yeah, i forgot about that! aphrodisiac: this is actually not good. Honey is sugar and it helps the bacteria grow. cold is the best, i eat ice cream... you know, in Poland they say to avoid cold... in the US they say eat lots of cold stuff... which actually makes sense... aphrodisiac: no talking. yeah.... about that.... Thanks girls!! :)

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07 ♂	Apr 6, 11, 18:02 #9
aphrodisiac: Honey is sugar and it helps the bacteria grow. So is that that why they use sugar to protect fruit bacteria in fruit preserves? :)

aphrodisiacThreads: 22 Posts: 3,998 Joined: Apr 15, 09 ♀	Edited by: aphrodisiac Apr 6, 11, 18:03 #10
z_darius: So is that that why they use sugar to protect fruit bacteria in fruit preserves? :) Yes. That should be good enough answer for you, because now you can prove that I am stupid and you are smart, but if you are so smart, why don't you just believe it, eh?

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Apr 6, 11, 18:15 #11

aphrodisiac:

hat should be good enough answer for you, because now you can prove that I am stupid

I don't think what you wrote is a proof of your stupidity. Just a sign that old maids tales are well and alive among some.

Sugar, especially in hight concentrations, inhibits bacterial growth because it ties available water (like salt) while at the same time encourages the growth of fungi. Fungi and bacteria are sworn enemies.

The mixture described above (milk, honey and all) is good. High sugar drinks are often recommended by doctors in North America in the case of many upper respiratory bacterial infections. CocaCola or ginger ale are the usual recommendations.

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Apr 6, 11, 18:29 #12

I know of one "nalweka" for colds. It's made with garlic, honey, lemons and water.

Lemon juice from 1/2 kg of lemons
30 finely chopped cloves of garlic
2 tbsp of honey
1L water

Add the finely chopped garlic to lemon juice, mix in water and honey. Leave it overnight to infuse. Drink one shot glass x3/day for colds and flu, or once a day as a preventative. Store in a dark cool place.

I bottle it in a dark bottle and leave it in the refrigerator, usually lasts for quite some time.

You have to be very careful with the "doses", as too much garlic can make you feel sick. I'd start of with one shot glass with some food in the early evening - definitely a couple of hours before you go to sleep. Then move the 'dose' up a couple days later, monitor your body's reactions.

aphrodisiacThreads: 22 Posts: 3,998 Joined: Apr 15, 09 ♀	Apr 6, 11, 22:10 #13
z_darius: I don't think what you wrote is a proof of your stupidity. I was sarcastic Darek:)

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Edited by: beckski Apr 7, 11, 04:44 #14
convex: Polish home remedies for cold, stomach ache, etc.? Both my mom and physician recommend drinking a room temperature, lime-flavored beverage such as 7UP, for a tummy ache. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07 ♂	Apr 7, 11, 04:53 #15
aphrodisiac: I was sarcastic Darek:) I wasn't really when I wote about fruit preserves. The sugar in them kills bacteria. So stop storing it in the fridge - it will NOT go bad or get infested by bacteria ;) The rest... might be useful next time you get some bug.

rybnikThreads: 29 Posts: 1,234 Joined: Jan 16, 11 ♂	Apr 7, 11, 05:24 #16
beckski: Both my mom and physician recommend drinking a room temperature, lime-flavored beverage such as 7UP, for a tummy ache. Cola syrup for abdominal distress.

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Apr 7, 11, 08:50 #17

beckski:

Both my mom and physician recommend drinking a room temperature, lime-flavored beverage such as 7UP, for a tummy ache.

From what I know fizzy drinks, work opposite and usually upset stomach. They probably forgot to tell you that the drink need to be flat.
Sounds similar to the one I know with Cola.

For upset stomach there is one easy remedy: de fizz some Coca Cola regular, ( this can be done by adding a teaspoon of sugar) and sip a spoonful each hour.

For colds (incl.sore throat and runny nose) : mix red (any) + herbal( comomile or mint) teas and add fresh lemon, sweeten with honey (optional) . Drink it every day as much as you like.

Or make a drink, which I call "shock dose of vit.C":
to 1glass of very warm water (but not too hot) add lemon juice (from half a lemon or 2/3 if small) , you can sweeten it with honey or sugar (optional). Drink it only for a night or while at home because afterwards you sweat so much, you'll need to change your clothes. Next day you should feel like a newborn.

pgtxThreads: 49 Posts: 6,327 Joined: Feb 14, 09 MEMBER ♀	Apr 7, 11, 15:11 #18
i must say that things which bring me a relief are: hot milk with honey, lots of vit. C (i like to add some tea to it ;)) and halls! (honey+lemon)... :)

f stopThreads: 33 Posts: 2,861 Joined: Dec 9, 09 ♀	Apr 8, 11, 02:24 #19
recently, thanks to my mother, I discovered valerian tea. That stuff is an excellent remedy for insomnia.

rybnikThreads: 29 Posts: 1,234 Joined: Jan 16, 11 ♂	Apr 8, 11, 02:37 #20
f stop: recently, thanks to my mother, I discovered valerian tea. That stuff is an excellent remedy for insomnia. Agreed. I used to drink a lot while in school. Also melatonin and/or theanine also work great.

f stopThreads: 33 Posts: 2,861 Joined: Dec 9, 09 ♀	Edited by: f stop Apr 8, 11, 02:45 #21
I've been curious about the melatonin. I've got to look it up. My mother also swears by szałwia tea for sore throat. She grows her own. But when I looked it up, salvia, I found some disturbing facts...

rybnikThreads: 29 Posts: 1,234 Joined: Jan 16, 11 ♂	Apr 8, 11, 03:04 #22
f stop: I've been curious about the melatonin. I've got to look it up. My mother also swears by szałwia tea for sore throat. She grows her own. But when I looked it up, salvia, I found some disturbing facts... I love my melatonin! It's natural and very safe. In addition, European studies suggest it can postpone graying of your hair.....what are these disturbing facts?

f stopThreads: 33 Posts: 2,861 Joined: Dec 9, 09 ♀	Apr 8, 11, 03:23 #23
rybnik: what are these disturbing facts she does not know which particular kind she grows, and I've come across youtube videos of people getting seriously wacked on the psychoactive one, salvia divinorum.

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Edited by: Marynka11 Apr 8, 11, 03:42 #24

I love my melatonin! It's natural and very safe.

Is it addictive? I have sometimes trouble sleeping, but I'm afraid I will make my problems worse if I start taking something.

My mother also swears by szałwia tea for sore throat.

I read a while ago that szalwia can cause contractions when you are pregnant, so you need to be careful with it at least until closer to the due date. My mother used to drink szalwia tea for the hot flashes, and it was supposed to help.

rybnikThreads: 29 Posts: 1,234 Joined: Jan 16, 11 ♂	Apr 8, 11, 04:00 #25
Marynka11: Is it addictive? I have sometimes trouble sleeping, but I'm afraid I will make my problems worse if I start taking something. No. Melatonin is not addictive. It's a natural hormone

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Apr 8, 11, 04:21 #26

f stop:

she does not know which particular kind she grows, and I've come across youtube videos of people getting seriously wacked on the psychoactive one, salvia divinorum

I'm pretty sure your mom meant Salvia officinalis (garden sage, common sage and a few other names). Perfectly safe, except for the aforementioned pregnancies and where excessive bleeding occurs, as Salvia officinalis encourages blood flow, especially in the pelvic and uteral areas.

rybnik:

I love my melatonin! It's natural and very safe.

Aren't there recommendations that it is safe for short term use only (3 months or less) before it starts causing undesirable side effects? Oh, and not all melatonin is natural. The synthetic one is regarded by some to be safer than that derived from animals (risk of viral infection).

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Apr 8, 11, 04:45 #27

z_darius:

Aren't there recommendations that it is safe for short term use only (3 months or less) before it starts causing undesirable side effects? Oh, and not all melatonin is natural. The synthetic one is regarded by some to be safer than that derived from animals (risk of viral infection

I've been using synthetic melatonin for 7 years now on a nightly basis. I'm happy to report I'm doing just fine. Remember, that it has a very short half-life: it's metabolized very quickly. Why do you think you "wake up" quickly upon exposure to sunlight ie when drawing the shades/curtains in the morning?

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Apr 8, 11, 05:08 #28

rybnik:

I've been using synthetic melatonin for 7 years now on a nightly basis. I'm happy to report I'm doing just fine. Remember, that it has a very short half-life: it's metabolized very quickly.

Yes, makes sense and I can accept that. Ater all you are a doc not me. My cursory knowledge comes from the times when I thought I might become a vegetarian and that lead to all kinds of sources.

rybnik:

Why do you think you "wake up" quickly upon exposure to sunlight ie when drawing the shades/curtains in the morning?

We have obviously never met :)
Yes, light will do that to melatonin, even artificial one from what I hear.

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Apr 8, 11, 05:15 #29

z_darius:

Yes, makes sense and I can accept that. Ater all you are a doc not me.

I appreciate your sentiment but I didn't learn about melatonin in med school nor in any of my allopathic interactions. I learned about it and many other cool things on my own. I'm all about growing old gracefully AND living a long,long healthy life without the use of (or minimum use of) prescription drugs. I know it sounds contradictory but it's really fully compatible with being an MD as far as I'm concerned.

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Apr 11, 11, 06:28 #30
rybnik: I love my melatonin! It's natural and very safe. In addition, European studies suggest it can postpone graying of your hair..... Thanks for the advice. My mom is the only one in my family with gray hair. When my hair starts to turn gray, I think I may give melatonin a try. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

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