A Handful of Edible Remedies
by Sandra Brandt

Let Food Be Thy Medicine —Hippocrates

Millions of dollars are spent each year on over-the-counter pharmaceuticals for minor illnesses and discomforts, such as colds, flu, headaches, fatigue, and other aches and pains. However, in earlier times there was a much more blurred distinction between food and medicine. All foods affect our health and well-being, either positively or negatively, and sometimes both. Hippocrates famously said, “Let food be thy medicine.”

Although many modern medicinal preparations are or were originally derived from edible plants, the connection has largely been lost in our modern conventional thinking about how to deal with illness. So, nowadays we generally make a sharper distinction between food products and medicinal products. Even when sold under the same retailing roof, they are still clearly segregated into separate areas.

Various traditions, such as Chinese Medicine, or Ayurvedic practices, as well as perhaps our own grandmothers’ home remedies, are still recognized for using foods, appropriately chosen and prepared, as a major pathway not only to health maintenance but also to healing from illness.

The best overall way to ward off illness, and keep up energy levels, is to eat a healthy balanced diet, avoiding overly processed foods, and preparing most foods at home from carefully chosen sources and ingredients, in addition to maintaining an appropriate balance of meaningful work, exercise, rest, family and social connections, and enjoyable recreation, without building up undue levels of stress. Of course, this whole picture is rarely perfectly rounded out but it is worthwhile to periodically assess what is happening in our lives and take necessary steps toward a better balance. In the end, don’t forget that minor illness can be a form of cleansing, or a message from the body that something needs adjusting—not something to fight against but rather something with which to work.

Although it is probably safe to say that all natural foods can offer potential benefits to our health and wellbeing, this article looks at a few specific food-based remedies to help promote a return to health when one is slowed down by common health-related setbacks. This list is by no means exhaustive; however, it may offer a tip or two to add to your own repertoire of favourite edible remedies. Directions and proportions of medicinal preparations are only a loose guideline, as there is no single prescribed way of using any kind of food as medicine. Since most food-based remedies have both detoxifying and strengthening qualities, they can generally be applicable to a wide range of conditions, so the descriptions below can only begin to scratch the surface of their possible beneficial effects. Also, quite a few remedies, especially those that have antiseptic properties, can be used externally for wounds, burns, and various skin conditions.

Rice Water – Good for stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea-soothing demulcent properties. Directions: Boil 1 cup rice (plain white rice is preferred as it leaches more nutrients into the water) in 4 cups water about 10 to 15 minutes. The resulting liquid should not be too starchy. Strain and drink (the cooked rice can be eaten by others who are not sick). Rich in B vitamins and minerals. Drinking rice water is a traditional Asian and Latin American practice. May also be useful for nausea during pregnancy and for nursing mothers.

Barley Water – Barley water is promoted as a kidney cleanse (drink 1–3 cups daily), as well as healing for gastric issues, inflammations, and urinary problems, and also promoted as a complexion enhancer. It has similar nutrients and benefits as rice water. Directions: Combine 1/2 cup pearl barley, 5 cups water, small piece of cinnamon stick, and some grated ginger. Simmer 20 minutes. Add some fresh squeezed lemon juice for extra flavour and detoxifying properties. Barley water flavoured with lemon or lime is a popular traditional rehydrating drink in Mexico.

Coconut Water – An excellent digestive aid and remedy for digestive upsets. Also boosts immune system, and fights viruses and bacterial infections. Rich in antioxidants, high in nutrients, especially potassium. Best if consumed directly from freshly picked young coconuts. Also available as a bottled beverage in grocery and health food stores.

Yogurt, Kefir (and other cultured foods) – Contain lactic acid, which is good for digestion, healthy gut flora. Make sure to use products containing live cultures. Often promoted as a restorative during and after antibiotic use, because these drugs kill off healthy bacteria in the gut, along with the ones that bring illness.

Bone Broths – We’ve all heard of grandmother’s chicken soup as a cure for whatever ails you. The most healing form of broth is stock that has been strained from simmered bones and cartilage. Helpful for digestion and digestive ailments. Very rich in minerals and gelatin which promote strong healthy bones. Drink as is for colds, flu, digestive upset, or use as flavourful base for soups and sauces that also generally aids digestion. Directions: Cover bones with water (may roast bones in oven first for more flavour). Add a splash or several splashes (depending on size of batch) of apple cider vinegar to help draw minerals into the water. Simmer for anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.

Honey – Antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial. Good for soothing sore throats. Suggested recipe: Slice an onion onto a plate. Cover with honey. Let sit for several hours or overnight. Eat the honey-soaked onions, or use the drained liquid as a syrup. Also antiseptic properties—external treatment for wounds, cuts, burns.

Cranberry – Fights off urinary and kidney infections. Use as herbal tea or unsweetened juice (most cranberry juices have a lot of added sugar, which should especially be avoided when fighting an infection). May add stevia instead, which is not a sugar, to sweeten the juice. Also comes in capsules.

Apple Cider Vinegar – Natural vinegar which has been used as a tonic, disinfectant, and healing agent since ancient times. Syrup for cough, sore throat: 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tsp cayenne pepper. Shake well and take a spoonful at a time or dilute in more water.

Coffee – Caffeine helps to constrict blood vessels, which may eliminate a migraine headache. A cup of plain black coffee (preferably fair trade and organic!) may ease a migraine especially if taken at the onset of symptoms. This remedy may be more effective for those who are not already habitual coffee drinkers.

Coconut Oil – Although ingesting spoonfuls of oil may not sound very appetizing when one is feeling under the weather, coconut oil has powerful antiviral activity. It “absorbs directly into viral cells where it breaks apart and disintegrates the protective coating of the virus, effectively killing it. Taking a tablespoon or two daily of extra virgin coconut oil, particularly at the onset of cold symptoms, can effectively thwart the virus from taking hold and running its course.” (naturalnews.com)

Garlic – Contains allicin, a powerful natural antibiotic. It has been shown to be effective in cases where resistance to pharmaceutical antibiotics has developed. Best results: raw or very lightly cooked. Chopping releases the healing qualities. It becomes even more effective when allowed to sit for 10–15 minutes after chopping. Many other healing properties are attributed to raw garlic, such as antioxidants and cancer-fighting. As well, it is said to be helpful with cardiovascular and skin conditions. (Onions and leeks also have similar healing properties, although garlic is the most effective.)

Herbs and Spices – A vast number of herbs and spices can be used in healing, as well as generally to flavour foods. A few favourites include:

Turmeric – Yellow-coloured spice in curry mixtures. Active ingredient is curcumin, which is anti-inflammatory, a painkiller, anti-arthritic, cancer-fighting, and a host of other preventive and healing uses. Can be consumed as a tea or mixed into water as a beverage.

Cinnamon – Especially rich in antioxidants, cinnamon has been prominent in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat a large variety of conditions, including diarrhea, menstrual cramps, infections, colds, flu, and digestive issues. It has also been used more recently as an aid for diabetes. A simple and delicious way to enjoy it is to liberally sprinkle powdered cinnamon on a slice of hot buttered toast, then spread it around with a knife along with a dab of honey. Tastes almost like fresh cinnamon buns!

Ginger – Has long been used to combat nausea, and for relief of cold and flu symptoms. In addition to many culinary uses, it can be brewed as a tea by simmering fresh chopped ginger root.

Cayenne Pepper – Usually used in powdered form to add spice to foods. Best known to improve blood circulation, as a corollary benefit, it also enhances the benefits of any other healing foods consumed because of the increased circulation. Helps treat constipation, sore throat, infections, and many other conditions. An interesting recommendation is to place a small package of the powder in socks or mitts to keep warm outdoors in cold weather.

Fennel, Dill, Caraway, Anise Seeds – Brew whole seeds as a tea for gas pains, or even chew some seeds after a meal to aid digestion. Also cleanses breath.

Resources:
www.all4naturalhealth.com
www.antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com
www.botanical-online.com
www.healwithfood.org
www.homeremediesweb.com
www.natural-health-remedies-4u.com
www.naturalnews.com
(Please note: This article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.)

Sandra Brandt has had a lifelong interest in whole natural foods. She lives in Regina, where she gives cooking classes, presentations, and dietary consultations. She can be reached by email: brandt.s@sasktel.net. Also see the colour display ad on page 9 of the 19.5 January/February issue of the WHOLifE Journal.