Back to our Roots: Crazy Egyptian Remedies for the Common Cold and Flu
It’s that time of the year again! If you’re not sick, then you definitely know someone who is. What if we decided to stay away from prescribed medications, and follow some crazy old flu remedies? Our parents and grandparents swear by these remedies, although we have no clue where most of them came from. We decided to put together a list of the weirdest and most unusual Egyptian home remedies and try to figure out if there’s actually anything to them.
Newspaper
You’ve probably heard this one, if not at home, then definitely in an old Egyptian movie. Most of our grandparents believed that placing a newspaper on your chest will cure the flu, but we have no idea where that came from or if it actually works. We can’t for the life of us figure out why it could work, but we’d try anything to get rid of the flu, that’s for sure.
Garlic Milk
Whether garlic milk is genuinely a cure for the flu or just an elaborate prank to get us all to drink something horrible, we’ve got no idea. For sure it ain’t going to taste good, but many say it works and swear by it. Some say that if you add minced garlic to warm milk and drink up the concoction, you’re sure to feel better in no time. While we’re skeptical about the medicinal benefits of garlic milk, we’re confident that your breath is going to be awful. However, recent scientific evidence does suggest that garlic can work wonders for your health, so maybe garlic milk isn’t such a bad idea after all.
Frankincense or ‘Leban Dakar’
Dissolve frankincense in water, and you’re good to go, or so they say. While it’s certain to make you smell better than garlic milk, whether it works is up for debate. Made from the sap and resin of the Boswellia tree, frankincense has been used in medicine for thousands of years for everything from asthma to even cancer. However, while there’s proof it can help with gut function and oral health, whether it’s good for the flu is still unclear.
Guava Tree Leaves
Guavas are great and guava juice is even better, but guava leaves? A common remedy states that boiling guava tree leaves and drinking them as juice is said to cure your worst colds and coughs. While it is hard to say whether or not guava leaves help with the flu, what is for sure and scientifically proven is that they can do wonders by boosting your immunity, helping your digestive system, improving your heart health and blood sugar levels, among many other quite impressive health benefits.
Honey and Lemon Tea
This miracle treatment is said to ease a sore throat and help with cold and flu symptoms and is not just famous in Egypt, but the entire world. The classic recipe says how you should mix honey and lemon with hot tea and enjoy this magical treatment that will also keep you warm. For anyone who’s ever tried this one, honey and lemon tea without doubt work like a treat.
Maybe some of these home remedies aren’t as crazy as they sound, so next time you catch the flu or cold it might be worth picking up some guava leaves, lemon, and frankincense.
