Natural Medicine — 2.
How to cure the respiratory system.
One of my maternal aunts could not bear to have caught a cold, and had a horrible habit of cutting it off — she thought so. That is, as soon as she noticed she had a cold, she would start taking aspirin or any other analgesic or painkiller she could get her hands on. That made her believe the cold was gone; or at least, it was not going to bother her and she could sleep well or lead a more or less normal life.
What was the result of this unfortunate habit of my aunt’s? Her respiratory tract filled with phlegm and mucus residues, which caused a small chronic infection. Small, but an infection nonetheless, causing her to cough intermittently, sometimes creating moments of absolute shortness of breath.
I swore to myself I would never have those agonizing moments when she felt her throat closing up, seeing the near possibility of dying from suffocation. There were even times when she lost consciousness and fainted. Luckily, she always came out of those tragic events unscathed, but for me that is living with the sword of Damocles over one’s head, not knowing when one can definitely drown, or . . . worse, be left with neurological sequels later on. Horror !
Completely contrary to this situation, I am in the habit of letting the cold break out and flow without resistance, whether I feel good or bad; whether I use a whole pack of Kleenex or two rolls of toilet paper to blow my nose, and whether my nose gets sore and red as a clown. It doesn’t matter. I don’t consume anything and take whatever comes, without ingesting any medication.
Now it’s very rare for me to catch a cold, even though I live in Chicago and winter can get to extreme sub-zero temperatures. But years ago, I discovered that when a person takes medication, the cold lasts for a week, and if I let it break out and go its own way, then it lasts for 7 days.
This means the body has its processes and you have to leave it alone, without pressure or medicines. At most I usually take natural products — like ginger — to accelerate healing without causing me any problems later. In addition, I regularly take Echinaea three times a week all year round to strengthen my immune system, and years go by and I never have a cold in the winter. Of the 17 years I’ve lived in Chicago, I’ve had only three . . . and quite benign.
Why my colds were mild? Now I am going to tell you the natural products to consume so that a common cold does not give problems and disappears in a few days without a trace.
The simplest and easiest. Ginger root.
Everyone knows about this root, which today is sold in any supermarket. If I get a cold in the middle of winter, I immediately buy a piece of ginger of about three or four inches, cut it into small pieces and boil it in a pot until it is soft. When I think it’s almost done, I add lemon juice and cinnamon to taste, and let it boil for 2 more minutes.
There should be 3 generous cups, to drink one in the morning, one at noon and one at night. And, of course, it should be sweetened with honey according to the palate of each person, before drinking it very hot,
With this concoction every day,, any common cold or flu leaves the body and there are rarely unpleasant discomforts. Usually it disappears in 3 or 4 days in a natural and healthy way.
Bronco Tea
There is a product on the market called Bronco Tea, which you can look up on the Internet and I remember that it has these ingredients: Eucalyptus. Licorice, Mint, Elderberry and Mullein. This infusion comes in individual sachets and you just have to immerse them in boiling water.
However, for those who prefer to do it at home, you can buy the products mentioned in a herbalist and put approximately a quarter teaspoon of each of the herbs and thus obtain the 3 cups needed per day. If you cannot find all the ingredients, it is still very healthy to use the ones you can buy –two, three, or . . . The amount for a tea should be 1 tsp + 1/4 or 1/2. No more.
Eucalyptus.
The dried leaves and oil of this green herb is often used against coughs, bronchitis and asthma. An infusion of eucalyptus decongests the nose and respiratory tract in general. This tea comes packaged in bags, but you can buy the leaves and make it at home, inhaling its strong and penetrating smell. Eucalyptus oil is better to put it in your hand and inhale it deeply.
Licorice.
Licorice is a root, and by itself a remarkable natural medicine with multiple therapeutic applications, which already in ancient Greece was used to treat all kinds of respiratory ailments, such as flu, laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma.
Licorice contains a substance called glycyrrhizin that gives this plant its sweetening, expectorant and anti-inflammatory action, protecting the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. It acts as a natural antibiotic, preventing the body against the action of viruses and bacteria.
Attention. Do not abuse licorice, as it can raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention. Diabetics, . . . be careful with the sweetening action of licorice.
Mint
Mint is native to the Mediterranean region, being widely used in gastronomy for its pleasant aroma. It also has medicinal uses, such as diuretic and anti-microbial action — it helps in viral, bacterial and fungal infections — , and has important properties in the digestive process.
Mint has a high content of menthol, which is a great ally to decongest and clear the airways, so it cannot be missing in any natural treatment to combat colds or flu.
Elder Tree
Elder tree can take the form of a shrub or a highly branched tree, with deep green leaves. The flowers give off a strong aroma from their corolla and 5 star-shaped petals. The fruits (elderberries) produced by this tree are small clusters of berries that present a green tone at the beginning, and change to black, blackish blue or red when ripe.
It is important to note that the only parts are suitable for medicinal use are the flowers and fruits when ripe. The rest of the tree is highly toxic, including berries unripe.
An elderflower tea helps to improve and alleviate the symptoms of respiratory diseases. On the other hand, this type of infusion plays an important sudorific role, making it an effective anti-febrile in case cooling raises the temperature.
Mullein
Mullein is a medicinal plant that has large oval leaves covered with hairs, and yellow flowers grouped in clusters. Its leaves and flowers are used for medicinal purposes, both internally and externally.
Mullein is a plant native to Asia and Europe and has been widely used in traditional medicine using it in home remedies, due to its excellent healing properties — it has diuretic, laxative, anti-catarrhal, expectorant, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, anti-migraine, soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and depurative action.
This medicinal plant is successfully used in all types of respiratory problems, from allergies to bronchitis, asthma, colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, etc. It improves upper respiratory tract infections, dissolves mucus and helps to expel it, soothing the throat irritated by coughs.
The way to use it internally (consumed) is by preparing an infusion with the aerial parts of the plant. It can also be prepared as a tincture for external use.
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Once again I remind you of what I said in my previous story: nothing in excess. The action of the herbs is like the drop of water that sands the rock. You have to know how to use medicinal plants, going little by little in the quantities, as your body indicates.
All healing is in Nature, but everything in moderation, listening to our physical vehicle. Helping the body to regenerate itself, in no way means overloading it, pushing it, or drowning it in substances. Everything little by little, changing the herbs from time to time, without exaggerating the quantities.
The important thing is to know we do not need chemical medicines that cure one thing, but harm another. By using herbs with intelligence we are sure to be cured.
I wish you a great health.
