Feeling under the weather with a cold? That achy, sneezy, and congested feeling is no fun. While modern medicine offers many solutions, history is filled with some truly peculiar ways people have tried to find relief. Today, we’re diving into some of the most bizarre cold remedies out there. Just a heads up, these are more for curiosity than a doctor’s note!
Let’s explore ten of the most unusual and eyebrow-raising cold treatments people have turned to.
10. Wet Socks
Yes, you read that right! This remedy involves giving yourself cold feet, which might sound like the last thing you want when you have a cold. The idea is to soak a pair of cotton or wool socks in ice-cold water, wring them out, and pull them onto your bare feet. Yikes, chilly!
Next, you pull a dry pair of wool socks over the wet ones and hop into bed, making sure your feet stay warm under the covers. Proponents believe that when you wake up, the wet socks will be dry. This process is said to boost your body’s immune response, improve blood circulation to your feet, and help clear up head congestion. It’s also thought to help your body get rid of waste.
9. Homemade Cough Lozenges
If a persistent cough is making your throat feel raw, these homemade lozenges might offer some soothing comfort. This natural remedy aims to be both effective and soul-soothing.
Here’s how you can make them: In a saucepan, combine one cup of white granulated sugar with half a cup of water. Add one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice (for vitamin C), one tablespoon of honey (antibacterial and soothing), one and a half teaspoons of ground ginger (anti-inflammatory and good for nausea), and a quarter teaspoon of ground cloves (reduces phlegm and offers antioxidants). Stir everything well and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often. Once the mixture becomes a thick syrup, remove it from the heat. Spoon small, quarter-sized drops onto parchment paper and let them harden. Finally, dust with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. These little drops are designed to give you some much-needed relief.
8. Listening to Music
We all know music can lift our spirits, but did you know it might help with a cold too? Research from German scientists suggests that listening to music, especially jazz, can reduce stress. Lower stress levels can lead to an increase in immunoglobulin in your body.
Immunoglobulin is a protein that helps your body fight off infections. So, by enjoying some jazz or even dance music (the second-best option, according to the study), you could be boosting your antibody levels while lowering cortisol, a stress hormone. A relaxed body has a better shot at recovering from a cold. So, pop in those earbuds and let the music work its magic!
7. Cupping and Scraping
Cupping is an ancient Chinese healing practice that might seem unusual for treating colds, but it’s often used for congestion relief. The therapy is believed to trigger your body’s natural energy, helping it restore and heal.
During a session, a practitioner places cups on your skin. These cups are heated or manually pumped to create suction and are left in place for a few minutes. Different types of cups, like edge cups or glass cups, can be used. The main goal is to massage the skin deeply, increasing blood flow. This increased circulation is thought to detoxify the area. While generally pain-free, some people might experience temporary side effects like headaches or fatigue.
Another related treatment is scraping, also known as gua sha. This involves using a tool to gently scrape across muscle fibers and lymphatic pathways. For colds, this can help open skin pores and release inflammation. When you’re feeling miserable, these traditional methods might be worth exploring.
6. Make a Poultice
Applying a poultice to your chest to clear congestion isn’t just an old wives’ tale; it’s a peculiar remedy with roots in African and European home traditions. One type involves using rendered cattle or sheep fat (tallow). You gently warm the tallow to soften it and then mix in herbs like mint (to clear congestion) or mustard (for heat). This mixture is then wrapped in a cotton flannel cloth and placed on the chest.
Another poultice recipe uses mustard, flour, and water. Mix four tablespoons of flour with two tablespoons of dry mustard. Add enough lukewarm water to create a paste. Spread this paste on one half of a smooth tea towel, fold the other half over, and apply it to your chest for about twenty minutes. This mustard poultice is typically applied every six hours. It’s designed to draw out impurities and ease breathing.
5. Lizard Soup
While many in North America turn to chicken soup for a cold, in China, lizard soup is a traditional alternative. Yes, you heard that correctly – lizard soup!
To prepare this unique dish, a dehydrated lizard is added to simmering water along with yams and dates. The mixture is cooked until the yams become soft. This soup is believed to reduce coughing and alleviate other common cold symptoms. Perhaps more importantly, like any good broth, it helps rehydrate the body, which is crucial when you’re losing fluids from a runny nose or sweating. It’s also said to help loosen mucus buildup. Quite an adventurous way to tackle a cold!
4. Gogol-Mogol
This traditional Eastern European drink, popular in Ukraine and Russia for cold relief, might sound a bit unusual to some. Gogol-Mogol starts with one beaten egg yolk whisked together with a teaspoon of sugar or honey. This mixture is then added to half a cup of hot milk. To finish it off, one tablespoon of unsalted butter is dissolved into the warm concoction.
For adults, a splash of cognac or rum is sometimes added to make it more palatable. The egg yolk is thought to soothe the throat, while the L-tryptophan in warm milk is believed to help you sleep better when you’re sick. It’s certainly a rich and interesting remedy!
3. Onions and Lard
If a sore throat from a cold is bothering you, how about slicing up a raw onion and putting it in your socks? It sounds strange, but onions contain allicin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This is one of those remedies passed down through generations.
Speaking of socks and oddities, an old English remedy involved wrapping a pair of dirty socks around your neck after greasing your neck with chicken fat or lard. This was thought to induce sweating. And while we’re on the topic of feet and socks, some people swear by rubbing Vicks VapoRub on the soles of their feet before putting on clean socks. They claim it helps with congestion and coughing.
2. Oysters, Anyone?
Oysters are a powerhouse of zinc. If you feel a cold coming on, or if you want to boost your zinc levels before cold season hits, eating oysters might be a tasty (for some!) strategy. Interestingly, fried and breaded oysters apparently contain more zinc than raw ones, which is good news if fresh oysters aren’t readily available.
Zinc is crucial for fighting off cold symptoms because it helps our white blood cells function properly. These white blood cells are the body’s defense against viral and bacterial infections. If oysters aren’t your thing, don’t worry! Other zinc-rich foods include legumes (think lentil soup), dairy products, spinach, and meat.
1. Turnips
Who would have thought that the humble turnip could be an expectorant? An expectorant helps to quiet coughs and can loosen mucus when you’re sick. Turnips are also packed with vitamins A, B, and C. In Iran, it’s common for people with colds to cook, mash, and eat turnips to reduce their symptoms.
You could also try a turnip drink to soothe a sore throat or persistent cough. Peel and cut up a turnip (about 150 grams) and boil the pieces in a liter of milk. Simmer for about 40 minutes, then strain the liquid. Let it cool a bit before drinking, perhaps adding some honey to make it tastier. This concoction is believed to reduce coughing thanks to a naturally occurring sulfurous ingredient that helps loosen phlegm and disinfect the respiratory tract.
If drinking turnip-infused milk isn’t appealing, you might prefer turnip syrup. Peel a turnip, slice it thinly, and layer the slices in a container, sprinkling brown sugar between each layer. Cover and let it sit for twelve hours. Drain the syrup and sip as needed. What a versatile vegetable!
Conclusion
From chilly wet socks to surprising soups and syrups, the world of folk remedies for colds is certainly diverse and fascinating. While some of these might raise an eyebrow or two, they reflect humanity’s age-old quest to find comfort and relief when illness strikes. It’s a reminder of the creative, and sometimes strange, ways people have tried to heal themselves throughout history. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice, but isn’t it interesting to explore these traditional, albeit bizarre, approaches?
What’s the most bizarre cold remedy you’ve ever heard of or tried? Share your stories in the comments below!
