Indegenous First Aid

At the age of modern medicine, old traditional remedies are forgotten. Sometimes people don't trust in these remedies and opt for the expensive shots, pills, ointments and the like. Reading an article about Women Healers in Mexico reminded me about my lola which in English means "grandmother".

The few first-aid things that my lola, which at the time I thought were quite silly, were the following:

1. Calamansi Juice (more or less like Lemonade)

- As a child, calamansi juice never failed me when I had the flu. It unclogged my nostrils and hydrated me which speeded up my recovery. Calamansi juice or Lemonade is full of vitamin C. It protects your system from unwanted bacteria and viruses.

2. Dahon ng Bayabas (Guava Leaf)

- The old guava leaf on skinned knees remedy always works. Crushing guava leaves and placing it on a wound can prevent infection. It also speeds up recovery. Infact, the guava leaf can be used for almost anything from stomach ache to fainting.

3. Salabat ( a concoction made from boiling Ginger with a bit of Salt)

- On times where I've lost my voice, literally. This is what my lola gave me. This concoction, when taken, can cure throat infections instantly. In my opinion, it is better than any other medicine I've ever taken to cure sore throat.

These little remedies are only a few of what I've learned from my lola and other elders in my country. They have helped me a lot and should not be forgotten. It isn't only part of culture and tradition but also a medical finding. They are also inexpensive ways of finding a cure to common ailments.

With this knowledge, I'd like to share to the world what my lola has taught me and I hope you learn a lot form it.