8 out of 10 Latinos, according to some studies, use home and traditional remedies regularly. That is hardly surprising because long before the United States established its first official medical school, Latin American already had indigenous medicine schools.  Part of these traditions has reached our days from the hand of our elders. The wisdom of Latino grandmothers is linked to a long tradition of the knowledge of natural remedies.  

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathy,a branch of natural medicine, is very widespread in Latin America, where several countries have official Homeopathy schools and thousands of doctors who are experts in this science. Homeopathy, which emerged during the 18th Century, treats illnesses with very small doses of plants. Homeopathic remedies used in the United States are regulated by the FDA.

Homeopathic medicine can be administered in one of several ways: in small tablets that are dissolved under the tongue or also in the form of a capsule that can be taken with water. Currently, over 3000 different remedies are known in Homeopathy. Some of the illnesses and disorders they are very effective for are:  

• Irritability in children

• Pain

• Chronic fatigue

• Bruises

• Hemorrhoids

• Colds

• Sore throat and coughing

• Anxiety

Home remedies

If you ever experienced a burn in your grandmother’s house, she may have cut a piece of aloe to cover your burn with it. You most likely felt instant relief.

This and many other home remedies of our grandmothers are a part of the rich cultural tradition a lot of us still practice nowadays. The wisdom of natural remedies dates back to the knowledge acquired during hundreds of years, which have passed from one generation to the next.  

Besides aloe for burns, some of the most popular home remedies we have are:  

• Phlegm when coughing – Mix two tablespoons of lemon with one of honey and a little bit of hot pepper.  

• Colds – Slowly boil more or less half a peeled and cubed ginger root in half a liter of water for 10 minutes. Strain it and add three tablespoons of honey.

• Inflammation in your breasts – the surge of milk causes a very uncomfortable inflammation in the breasts of some women. A very effective traditional remedy is to cover the breasts with purple cabbage leaves and then wear your bra over them for a while.  

• To prevent crying while peeling or cutting onions – Cut off a piece of the onion-peel and put it on your head while cutting the onions.

• Hemorrhoids – Dip several cotton swabs in olive oil and freeze them. Then, apply them directly on the hemorrhoid.

 
Almost every common illness or condition has a home remedy and every family has its own method to apply it. Ask the elders in your family which the most effective home remedies are and try them the next time you have a problem. You may be pleasantly surprised by how effective they are.