IN-DEPTH FEATURES
Granny Was Right: Modern Day Folk Medicine

With the cold season now upon us, many of us are reminded of the Bubby medicines which, in spite of the many years which have passed since they were administered, and despite the many advances in modern medicine, are still unforgettably effective.

Anyone suffering from a cold or the symptoms thereof, knows that there is no substitute for the best medicine: A steaming cuppa tea, all the better with lemon and honey, as Grandma used to prescribe so many years ago.

Here is a compendium of Bubby nostrums to heal what ails you, the old-fashioned way . . .

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G. Carter, editor of a U.S.A. Weekend magazine, recalls her nightmare very well. In March 1996, she thought she had come down with the flu but it dragged on for many weeks. "I just couldn't shake it off." Her doctor prescribed an antibiotic but the condition only worsened.

"I had bouts of intense pain in my ears and neck." Carter thought she must be suffering from some ear infection and visited a ENT practitioner. She ran fevers of 39 degrees C. and would awaken drenched in sweat. One of the doctors blamed a virus, either mono or EBV, and sent her home "to rest and let time do the rest." But the pain on the right side of her neck became so intense that she had difficulty sleeping, and even a strong dose of pain-killer proved ineffective.

After eight weeks of this, still running a fever of 38 and more, she was now also suffering from a terrible sore throat and aches throughout her body all the way down to her soles.

At this same time, she heard about a natural medicinal herb called echinacea. She bought a book on herbal medicine, read it, and went off to buy this herb. After a week of a daily dose of 800 mg. of echinacea, the fever was gone. Her general physical and emotional condition had greatly improved and the strong sore throat was beginning to recede as well.

She stopped taking the echinacea for a few days and the symptoms returned. She took it again, and they disappeared.

With the fever and sore throat gone, she was able to return to her normal activities. She was still suffering from pain and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a form of arthritis which may be connected to Epstein-Barr Virus, which had turned chronic.

In 1996, she went to Dr. James Gordon, a clinical professor in the Georgetown University School of Medicine and director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington. He advised continued treatment with echinacea for 3-4 weeks to help bolster her immune system. He attributed her pains partially to fibromyalgia as well as to an irregularity in her spine, incurred as a result of a slight injury from a car accident in the past. The pain slowly subsided and she was finally able to return to a normal life.

During the four months that she sought relief, she visited twelve doctors: four were internists, two were ENT specialists, three dealt with infectious diseases; there was a rheumatologist, a radiologist and finally, Dr. Gordon. And ever since, "I have been `addicted' [figuratively speaking] to echinacea."

What is the magic secret buried in the antiquated, `primitive' medicine which attracts so many people to it? Can one really heal the common cold, sores, diabetes and other things with it?

One of many natural cures . . .

Who is More Progressive — Bubby or the Doctor?

If you were to tell your grandmother about findings from research in laboratories, she would laugh. Isn't that what she had been telling you all these years? Science, it seems, has been lagging behind folk medicine all along.

In recent years, alternative medicine has made great strides in becoming an accepted substitute for conventional medicine. The lack of definite knowledge in the field has caused many to become confused and frustrated. They don't know what to do. Some simply dismiss it out of hand, saying that it is all nonsense, while others insist that it has proven itself time and again.

For every malady and affliction in the world, Hashem created a nostrum. Every plant, every mineral has potential healing powers for some sickness or medical condition, be it physical or emotional. These are called folk medicine, or Bubby nostrums. They are based on tradition, knowledge, and experience garnered over generations. In the industrialized Western world however, science and progress has relegated these natural medicines and cures to folklore, not to be taken seriously.

Nonetheless, grandmothers have continued to force children to take `their cod-liver oil' and administered Goggel- moggel eggnog for sore throats, mustard plasters for coughs, dough on sores and tea-honey-and-lemon for whatever ails you.

In recent years, along has come science and finally given official recognition to these old-timers. Conventional medicine, with its assorted undesirable side effects, has returned — somewhat — to home remedies and natural medicines. And they are not disappointed; folk medicine has truly made a comeback and salvaged its good name.

Natural medicine, based on herbs and other natural components, is considered gentler than conventional medicine. In most cases, it is accompanied by fewer side effects and is more effective without harmful side effects.

Conventional medicine, to be sure, is also based on plants. The difference is in its ability to provide the patient with purer ingredients (and make a profit for the owners). It eliminates residues of other components in the plant, is more concentrated and has a higher potency, which is why it has a more immediate and stronger effect than in its natural state in the plant. On the other hand, the extract might be too powerful to the point of being harmful and even poisonous. Part of its punch is lost in the process of chemical extraction. Sometimes the substance works together with additional ingredients found in the plant, whereas the process of removing and isolating the chemical diminishes the medical effect of the conventional medication.

Over the years, completely synthetic preparations have also been concocted. In the past century, pharmaceutical companies the world over have begun using chemical and synthetic drugs, which are much more easily prepared in the laboratory than having to wait for the particular season which the herb is prevalent and at its optimal effectiveness. Taking a large dose of these medicines can be very dangerous; the margin between a permitted high dose and a poisonous one is very narrow and it is sometimes difficult to be precise. Common side effects are many and dangerous, including: depression, blurred vision, dizziness, headaches, digestive problems, damage to the liver, addiction and even cancerous growths.

Many of us still remember the effects of thalidomide, which was given to women in pregnancy back in the '50s and caused mutations in the fetuses — children were born without limbs, or with shortened arms and legs.

Our grandmothers' remedies were popular even before the Teva Pharmaceuticals' director could say the word `Acamol.' And like Acamol, their nostrums were accompanied by instructions, dosages and warnings.

General Instructions in Folk Medicine

Folk medicine is not an exact science. Generally, our grandmothers made natural concoctions whose recipes were transmitted by word of mouth, and modified by the experience of many different people over many, many generations. In preparing them, one should follow exact instructions so that they will best fulfill their intended function.

It is advisable to use organic fruits and vegetables, especially in the preparation of natural remedies. Pesticides poison plants so that part of their healing properties are destroyed.

In the use of olive oil or honey, it is especially important to use cold pressed derivatives as opposed to anything to which heat has been applied. Both oil and honey lose much of their marvelous salubrious properties with heating.

The period and usage of folk medicines and their dosages are usually only suggestions and not hard-and-fast rules.

Important Note: The use of herbs seems simple, accessible and harmless. Nevertheless, many of these are very potent, and it is advisable to consult a healer who is expert in the field to prescribe the appropriate treatment. In cases of routine colds, for example, headaches, or anything that qualifies as average, one can use Bubby remedies upon the recommendation of a pharmacist or friend and neighbor. But it is very important to pay attention to the body's reaction after taking the preparation. This will guarantee that the medicine be taken in the proper dosage for the person in question and his particular ailment.

In any case, these home remedies are only meant as suggestions, and do not obviate a careful, personal monitoring of the progress of the illness or condition. Sometimes they may even be countereffective, for while the person taking them may think he is getting better, he has only cosmetized and camouflaged the symptoms, while the illness itself may be getting worse. One must, therefore, always be on top of things, be aware of the progress of the sickness and never disregard any warning signs produced by the body itself.

And always, in the case of a serious and prolonged illness, it is mandatory to consult a doctor.

A prudent approach is to first consult a sympathetic doctor, and to go ahead with home remedies if he says that the ailment is not serious, or that modern treatment may be deferred a bit while you try an alternative.

A Land of Olive Oil and Honey — and Garlic and Onion

If one were to ask us what the ingredients listing in the heading indicate, we would hasten to reply that these are the ingredients for salad dressing. The truth is that they are also the basic products necessary for preparing home remedies. These familiar products have very potent healing properties.

HONEY

Honey, produced in a most marvelous way by bees, is exceptional in its therapeutic properties and has a broad spectrum of uses, particularly in health and healing. Royal bee jelly, the pollen and beeswax product produced by bees for their queen, also has unique qualities. Scientists have not yet succeeded in isolating and identifying all the components of honey but to date, a great number have been pinpointed. Outstanding among these special ingredients are: energy-producing enzymes and hormones, and propolis, which strengthens the immune system.

The nutritional and invigorating value of honey was known already in ancient times. Ancient peoples — like the Jews, Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Indians and Chinese — used honey to heal many a disease.

Honey is used both as an external aid, applied directly on the skin, as well as to purify the digestive system. A spoonful of honey on an empty stomach in the morning does wonders to bolster a person for the whole day. It strengthens a person's heart and other internal organs and stimulates blood circulation. Honey is also good for heart disease and emphysema [shortness of breath], mouth and gum diseases and memory; it also prevents the forming of harmful bacteria and is good as an external salve for burns, sores, rashes and even for acne!

Honey contains fewer calories than sugar, yet is much sweeter. Since many of its wonderful properties are destroyed through heating, it is advisable to let tea cool off somewhat before adding honey.

OLIVE OIL

Olive oil, it is known, especially in Middle East countries, is an excellent condiment for enhancing the flavor of foods; it is also marvelous for the skin. It is known to contain many fine healing qualities, particularly for: memory, circulation, strengthening the digestive system and arresting the aging process. Researchers believe that its antioxident properties fight cancer, osteoporosis and rheumatism.

With all of these qualities, it is no wonder that the olive industry is one of the most important ones in Israel. In Middle Eastern countries, it is common to down a tumbler of cold-pressed olive oil on an empty stomach in the morning as a health booster and nostrum for long life. We used to observe Arab construction workers drinking a glass of olive oil for a morning snack.

It is important to use cold-pressed olive oil, which preserves its unique qualities. From the moment the olive is produced, it begins to oxidize; in order to retard this process, one should store it in a dark glass bottle. If it is to be kept for a long period, it is best to refrigerate it.

GARLIC

Garlic, which is recognized as a master spice, can transform many a dish into a gourmet delicacy. But its taste is only one of the many facets of its multiple character.

Garlic, as is known, has many powerful medicinal properties. Recent studies show that a steady ingestion of garlic can prevent a wide range of illnesses, from fungus on the foot to heart attack. Ancient Chinese medicine used high dosages of garlic to heal all sorts of sicknesses. Garlic was found buried in the tomb of King Tut Anach Ammon, among other treasures.

The British used garlic during World War Two as an antiseptic, and in Japan, they add it to soaps and creams to stimulate the blood circulation. Many qualities have been attributed to this humble root, among them the power of increasing life span and aiding digestion.

Garlic is also used as a protection against irritants. It alleviates pain, is a general tonic and serves also as a natural antibiotic. Garlic fights cancer, reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, raises the `good' cholesterol level, prevents blood clots and stimulates the immune system.

It also helps in cases of diarrhea, dysentery, flu, respiratory tract infections, asthma, gas, slow digestion, high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, arteriosclerosis, rheumatism, lack of appetite, intestinal worms and a general bolstering of all the systems in the body and the improvement of their function.

ONION

Raw onion has innumerable healing and fortifying features. Onion contains vitamins A, B and C and many minerals. It serves as a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and is excellent for treatment of internal and external infections. It is a positive stimulant for the nervous system, the liver and kidneys, and stabilizes the function of the various glands.

Onion stimulates the digestive system and the elimination process and lowers the blood sugar level. It aids in preventing the formation of stones in the bile duct and is very effective in respiratory ailments, and also helps prevent flu, heals running nose and other cold symptoms.

Onion retards the aging process, and sometimes arrests signs of senility. Some believe it actually adds years to one's life.

For external application: it is very effective against bee bites, infections near the nail, burns of the second degree with blisters and for the general treatment of skin and hair.

Onion softens the skin, reduces pain and repels mosquitoes. Cooked onion helps the digestion. In cases of overeating or general digestive problems, it is advisable to eat onion soup.

Chicken soup

In recent years, many researchers, most of them Jews, have tested the efficacy of the time-proven cure of chicken soup, also called "the Jewish penicillin." It seems to be the miracle medicine for the flu, bronchitis, the common cold and other related winter ailments.

In 2002, CNN publicized the official finding: Grandmother's chicken soup is the ultimate cure for whatever ails you. Researchers from Nebraska University tested and found that chicken soup was proven to contain anti-inflammatory properties.

Dr. Renard, a pulmonary researcher, analyzed the various components of chicken soup. The soup he used, incidentally, was pure, kosher, traditional Ashkenazic chicken soup with kneidlach. He discovered conclusively that traditional chicken soup has ingredients that cause red blood cells stricken by virus to become rehabilitated. When soups containing soup mixes were tested, they were found to be only one third as effective against the inflammatory symptoms.

An additional study, carried out by UCLA, showed that in the process of cooking a certain chemical element, similar to the chemical component found in medicines prescribed for coughing and bronchitis, was released. A Jewish doctor from Mt. Sinai Hospital in Miami discovered that the vapors emitting from home-cooked chicken soup had a favorable effect on throat and lungs and are recommended for people who suffer from respiratory problems, including coughs.

Not only Jews are supporters of this time-honored cure. The Chinese also attribute healing powers to chicken soup, and combine it traditionally with their regular treatment of diseases. In Korea, it is common to eat hot chicken soup, especially in the summer. Their local variation, which includes the ginseng root, is especially curative and refreshing during a heat wave, the Koreans claim. In India, they add many roots and herbs to the chicken soup to bolster its curative powers.

"Mama's chicken soup" is a phrase that has become entrenched in Israeli society and today, there is hardly a home that does not serve it in one traditional way or the other: the European version with kneidlach, the Yemenite style with hawaj, Italian-style with rice, Greek-style with eggplant, with noodles, with radish and so on.

Researches from the University of Chicago have found that ninety percent of Jewish homes — from all the streams, of all national extractions — eat chicken soup. It seems to be a universal common culinary denominator among Jews.

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The best way to guard one's health and assure longevity is through tempered physical activity on a regular basis alongside rest and mental calmness. Most important of all is proper eating habits and good nutrition.

What it all boils down to — there is nothing new under the sun.

We present a small collection of Folk Medicine, Bubby ministrations, for all kinds of common ailments. The best medicine for any sickness is, first of all, prevention! And the sooner, the better. For Sores in the Mouth, Internal or External Heated onion: cut an onion in half. Heat it over a fire for a few minutes. Placed directly on the sore, the onion will draw the pus out. Alternate method: Bake the onion in the oven at medium temperature. When the onion is hot, but not too hot, place it on the infected sore.

Toothache Onion juice: Dip a wad of cotton in onion juice and place in the tooth cavity. Arak: Dip a wad of cotton in arak (strong licorice liquor) and leave on the tooth for a while. The alcohol will go to the head and make you forget the toothache . . . Celery juice: Squeeze the juice from celery leaves. Dip some cotton in it and place on the aching tooth.

Assorted Aches and Pains Chicken soup is known today as the "Polish antibiotic." Then there is the traditional cup of tea and the marvelous olive oil. When Bubby used to say, "Honey with onion is better than a thousand antibiotics," it wasn't a mere bubbe-maiseh. Our grandmothers knew things that medicine is only beginning to (re)discover and understand today. Bruises A compress of onion and olive oil: Chop up an onion fine, add a tablespoon of olive oil; mix. Dip a piece of cloth in the mixture and place on the injured part. Margarine: Press a bar of some margarine directly on a bruise and there will develop no bump or black-and-blue mark. Disinfecting Sores and Arresting Bleeding Honey: Honey is famous for its healing powers. Apply a mixture of honey and olive oil. The honey will prevent the increase of bacteria and is good against open sores or eczema, burns, rashes, sweat rash, diaper rash and acne. There are many kinds of honey: citrus blossom honey, eucalyptus honey and so on. Each flower has different medicinal properties. Honey extracted from the flower of the onion is good for the treatment of infections. The onion, as we have mentioned, contains antibiotic ingredients. The bees extract this essence and combine it with their own honey. Curry (kourkoum): Place a thick layer of ground curry on wound. A solution of vinegar and garlic: Mix 30 grams of crushed garlic with 2 cups vinegar. Let it sit for ten days. Take a cotton cloth or cotton wool, dip in solution and smear on wound. This preparation will last for many weeks. Pus-filled Infections Surrounding an Ingrown Nail Onion compress: Heat the heart of an onion over a fire. Dip it in olive oil. Place the onion directly on the sore and bandage together. Leave overnight. By morning, the infection will have disappeared. Onion skin compress: Separate the thin membrane that divides the layers of the onion. Place directly on the wound. Bandage with gauze or a cotton handkerchief. Sunburns and Regular Burns Honey: Again, is prescribed. Rinse the affected area with cold water, then gently apply honey to burn. One can also spray wine vinegar on the burn; this greatly alleviates pain by cooling the burn through evaporation. These methods are also effective for regular burns. Cucumber juice: Grate two cucumbers. Dip cotton wool in the juice and apply to burn. Also effective for insect bites. Grated potato: Peel a potato, grate, and place directly on burn. Cabbage and egg white: Grate white cabbage, squeeze out juice, add egg white. Apply to burn from time to time.

Halitosis (Malodor in Mouth) In order to purify the mouth from a foul odor, chew coffee beans or grinds, or apple, or parsley, or carrot. Excessive Perspiration Henna in water: Mix a teaspoon of pure henna (available in health food or spice stores) in boiling water. Drink a cup a day.

Headache Ginger compress: Boil up a teaspoon of ginger (one fresh or two dried) in a pot with a cup of water. Dip a cloth in the solution, place on forehead and bind the head. Coffee with lemon: Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to half a cup of lukewarm black coffee. Drink slowly. Artichoke leaves: Artichoke leaves have been known for centuries as excellent for headaches and to fortify the liver. Nature food stores carry capsules made from artichoke which contain their active ingredient. Eating cooked artichoke leaves [note: these must be checked for bugs very carefully] and artichoke hearts help alleviate headaches.

Eye Inflammation Cucumber compress: This is very refreshing when tired and it strengthens the eye muscles. Squeeze out the juice of several grated cucumbers. Smear upon the eyes and leave for several minutes. Tea essence: Also effective for a sty on the eye. Boil up some tea leaves, strain, cool. When it is still lukewarm, dip cotton wool in tea essence. Take a wad of cotton and cleanse from the outside of the eye towards the nose, once, thoroughly. Repeat several times with a fresh wad of cotton. [After cleansing in tea, one can also place a tea bag itself on the eye for a few minutes. Regular tea contains tannic acid, which is also good for burns. But chamomile tea is equally good and soothing.]

Folk Medicine for Children and Babies We sometimes find Baby turning our daily schedule upside down by some indefinite ailment. He cries and wails, and we are helpless to diagnose the source of his discomfort. Is it ears, gas, teeth — or is he simply under the weather? Then comes the age when he can tell us his tummy or head hurts. But what to do? Small children, small problems . . . A Rash at the Neck, Thighs or a Diaper Rash These appear in the summer heat, by the neck — due to drooling. Honey is an excellent salve for heat rash, eczema, diaper rash, etc. Potato starch or plain talc can be sprinkled on the rash [if it is not a fungal rash!] to dry up the perspiration. Pus-filled Sores and Diaper Rash Honey derived from the flowers of onions is excellent for infected sores since onion is a natural antibiotic. Smear some of this honey on the skin and leave overnight. It is to be remembered that honey is not to be given to babies under a year old because bacteria in it could harm them. Scales on the Head, and Dandruff Smear sesame oil or almond oil on the scalp for about 15 minutes before a bath, carefully remove the dry scales, then shampoo. Use a shampoo that contains natural oil, like olive oil. Diarrhea Place three cut onions into a liter of boiling water, turn off fire and let sit for two hours. Give child a teaspoon every half hour. Good for babies one year and up. Dry Cough Heating the house causes it to be dry. Infants with colds may develop a dry cough. It is important to create a humid atmosphere for them by placing a pot of water near/on the radiator or using a cold air humidifier. Earache Heat some pure cold-pressed olive oil in a spoon over a fire. Place a peeled clove of garlic and let bubble. Cool off and drip into the ear directly or dip cotton in the oil and squeeze into the ear. This not only soothes the ache but also helps heal. Mothers' milk can also be dripped into the ear. This, incidentally, is also good for inflamed eyes. Big children, big problems . . . Worms and Intestinal Parasites Good old fashioned chrein, horseradish and beets, is an excellent tonic to strengthen various systems in the body and to expel worms. Cook up beets in their skin, peel, grate together with some horseradish root. Also effective is pumpkin seeds for children aged three and up. Grind up 30 shelled pumpkin seeds and give on an empty stomach. A third remedy is raw potato juice. Grate a potato, squeeze out the water and mix with some walnut oil. Administer a teaspoon a day. Black coffee — this is first aid for children over six. Give the child a small teaspoon of coffee powder, uncooked; swallow with some cold water. [Translator's note: Take it from a great-grandmother whose grandmother used to grate an apple or two and give to the patient. This contains pectin and is soothing, effective.] Stomachache Ginger tea. Grate some fresh ginger, add boiling water and steep for fifteen minutes. Add a spoon of honey and drink. Slight Shortness of Breath Turkish coffee. Let the child breathe into a container of strong Turkish coffee. Headache Black coffee with juice from half a lemon. Let the child drink this slowly. Potato — grate a raw potato, place inside a cloth, fold and tie on forehead. The headache should disappear in a quarter of an hour. Open Wounds Black coffee. If the wound is not deep, sprinkle some black coffee and bandage. The bleeding should stop immediately. Dissolved sugar. Sugar is also a disinfectant and will help stop the bleeding and close the wound. Dissolve 2 teaspoons sugar in 4 spoons water. Dip a cloth in the water and place over wound. A Deep Splinter Heated onion: Cut onion in half, heat over fire a few minutes, cool off a bit and place on wound. This should help the removal of a deeply-imbedded splinter. Preventing Colds, Flu, and Treatment during the Early Stages of Illness Chicken soup, of course. Isn't that what all grandmothers say — and give? And they were right!

Winter is upon us, with sneezes, running noses, coughs, swollen tonsils and glands, phlegm. We try all ways to suppress the symptoms and made the patient feel better. But what can we do to get to the root of the problem? PREVENTION Onion tea — bring to a boil three medium-sized onions with four cups of water and cook for twenty minutes. Sweeten with honey. Drink three cups a day. Onion syrup — spread out onion slices on a plate. Sprinkle some sugar over them and leave for 24 hours. Drink 2- 5 spoons from the juice, three times a day. Additional suggestions: eat a lot of celery leaves. Drink sour pomegranate juice. TREATMENT Chicken soup! Eat two whole cloves of garlic a day. This is really the best, but if the smell is too overpowering, second best is to cook them after they have been cut up and left to stand for 15 minutes. Add to whatever dish you are cooking, at the very last minute. Drink tea with a heaping teaspoon of honey and a spoon of lemon juice every four hours. Steep ground ginger in boiling water for ten minutes. Strain, add sugar and drink twice a day. Coughs Onion juice and honey. Grate a large onion, strain, add 2-3 spoons of honey. Let sit for 5 hours, and drink. Onion syrup and honey: Dice onion, add 2 spoons honey to cover, wait an hour. Strain and drink the liquid, a spoonful each hour. Syrup from dried fruits: Take 5 prunes, 5 dried apricots, 5 dried figs [Very difficult to check for bugs]. Add to a pot with 2 cups water. Simmer for an hour until a thick syrup forms. Strain and drink every hour. Running Nose Scallion and mint — 2 cups mint leaves rinsed well, 2 scallions without the green part. Blend with 2 cups boiling water. Cover, let sit for 20 minutes, Drink. White horseradish. As soon as the nose starts running, eat a slice of dark bread with butter and a bit of ground white horseradish. The running nose will disappear in ten minutes! Earache Heat some sesame or olive oil, cool off a bit and drip into ear. Place a wad of cotton in ear. The oil warms the ear and softens the skin. The cotton insulates the ear from outside cold. Crushed garlic: Crush some garlic and drain liquid. Dip some cotton in the juice and place inside the ear overnight. Onion: Tie a slice of onion over the ear and leave overnight. Sore Throat Melissa tea: Add 2 spoons apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon sea salt to a lukewarm cup of melissa tea, gargle every half hour. Eggnog: Add one egg yolk to a cup of warm milk and mix. Cool off and drink. Honey and onion: Drink the juice from a grated onion mixed with honey. Lick honey with lemon. Honey is an excellent natural antibiotic. Goggel-moggel: Mix well egg yolk with 2 spoons [brown] sugar till sugar is dissolved. Add a cup of boiling milk. Let sit until the following morning and drink. Stuffed Nose Eucalyptus oil: A few drops on the pillow. Saline solution: Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in half a cup of lukewarm water and drip into each nostril 3-4 times a day. Fever Garlic: A very strong natural antibiotic taken raw at the onset of a sickness. It can be smeared, crushed, on toast or mixed with brown sugar and eaten. Coriander (kusbara): Add 2-3 spoons minced coriander to 2 cups boiling water, cover, let sit for ten minutes and strain. Dip cotton cloth (diaper or gauze) and place on different parts of the body for a few minutes. Repeat every ten minutes until fever drops. Cucumber juice: Also good for chronic cough. Squeeze the juice from several cucumbers and drink. You can add some carrot/celery or apple juice to taste. Onion juice: Let two grated onions sit in two cups of water. Drink a cup between meals.

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