Mongolian remedies for common cold and flu
The dawn of the year of the Green Horse has been kind and it is much warmer than usual in January. However, frightening cold days are knocking on your door. Are you prepared for the winter in the world’s coldest capital? Do you know the local term, “Nine Nines”?
The Nine Nines is 81 days (nine times nine days) of the year that are coldest, and it begins on December 22. The Third Nine has just begun, which is followed by extreme frost that can “freeze the tail of a three year old cattle completely.” When the temperature plummets, catching cold and flu are much more likely.
Having said that, let’s explore some traditional Mongolian treatments for cold and flu prevention at home. Mongolia has an old saying, “You are rich if you have no debt, you are content when you are healthy.” This saying is rooted in our daily lives.
Besides taking vitamins and getting a flu shot, there are many traditional dairy related remedies that improve the immune system. One such remedy is Khaluun aarts, or hot curd made of sour milk, which was proven to be one of the most common treatments for flu and its prevention.
Curd is first boiled and served hot for the best results. The ideal time to serve it is just before going to bed. Generally, curd is a very popular traditional dairy product. They are most popular during the holiday season; especially during Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) which is around February.
Curd can be purchased at most supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar and even convenience stores often have them in smaller packages. Curd’s medicinal powers are almost magical. It tastes wonderful with sugar, butter, salt, flour based products and water.
First you mix curds in cold water with salt, then gradually add flour, and boil it while stirring steadily. Later, add butter and sugar for your own preference. You can also add some raisins.
In addition to curds, there is also a milk treatment. You can prepare 500 ml of milk with an egg, honey (one tablespoon) and butter. First warm up the milk, add one fresh egg and boil it while stirring. This milk mixture helps ease the symptoms of a cold and should be taken before going to bed.
In addition, licorice in the hot milk works as well.
The next best treatment is a garlic soup with horse meat. Yep, you heard it right. When you feel your nose start to sniffle, it’s time make soup with garlic and horse meat. Some people swear by this soup. Having garlic and horse meat soup two or three times a week will almost guarantee that you will not catch the flu during the harsh winter.
Lastly, there is treatment with honey. Mix one tablespoons of honey and two-and-half spoon of of turnip extract. Put five drops in your nostrils four times a day. For babies and small children, mix one tablespoon of honey with two spoons of warm water. Absorb the mixture into cotton and put the cotton into the child’s nostrils for about 20 minutes. If the baby cries or becomes uneasy with the cotton, just sponge the nose softly.
For curing bronchitis, crush ten grams of seabuckthorn, add it to 200 ml of water and boil it for 30 minutes. Take three spoons a day. Also, you can drink boiled ginger juice. For babies, crush three stalks of parsley into 150 ml of water and boil for two to three minutes and give it to the baby after it cools down. For adults, boil five stalks of parsley in the same amount of water.
To prevent flu, wash your hands often and rinse out your mouth with bicarbonate soda water. In addition, drink one ml of ascorbic acid (available in all pharmacies in Ulaanbaatar) after breakfast. Active prevention is the key to avoiding the cold and flu. Let’s be healthy as a horse, and as energetic and prosperous in the year of the Green Horse!
Short URL: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=7245
The Nine Nines is 81 days (nine times nine days) of the year that are coldest, and it begins on December 22. The Third Nine has just begun, which is followed by extreme frost that can “freeze the tail of a three year old cattle completely.” When the temperature plummets, catching cold and flu are much more likely.
Having said that, let’s explore some traditional Mongolian treatments for cold and flu prevention at home. Mongolia has an old saying, “You are rich if you have no debt, you are content when you are healthy.” This saying is rooted in our daily lives.
Besides taking vitamins and getting a flu shot, there are many traditional dairy related remedies that improve the immune system. One such remedy is Khaluun aarts, or hot curd made of sour milk, which was proven to be one of the most common treatments for flu and its prevention.
Curd is first boiled and served hot for the best results. The ideal time to serve it is just before going to bed. Generally, curd is a very popular traditional dairy product. They are most popular during the holiday season; especially during Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) which is around February.
Curd can be purchased at most supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar and even convenience stores often have them in smaller packages. Curd’s medicinal powers are almost magical. It tastes wonderful with sugar, butter, salt, flour based products and water.
First you mix curds in cold water with salt, then gradually add flour, and boil it while stirring steadily. Later, add butter and sugar for your own preference. You can also add some raisins.
In addition to curds, there is also a milk treatment. You can prepare 500 ml of milk with an egg, honey (one tablespoon) and butter. First warm up the milk, add one fresh egg and boil it while stirring. This milk mixture helps ease the symptoms of a cold and should be taken before going to bed.
In addition, licorice in the hot milk works as well.
The next best treatment is a garlic soup with horse meat. Yep, you heard it right. When you feel your nose start to sniffle, it’s time make soup with garlic and horse meat. Some people swear by this soup. Having garlic and horse meat soup two or three times a week will almost guarantee that you will not catch the flu during the harsh winter.
Lastly, there is treatment with honey. Mix one tablespoons of honey and two-and-half spoon of of turnip extract. Put five drops in your nostrils four times a day. For babies and small children, mix one tablespoon of honey with two spoons of warm water. Absorb the mixture into cotton and put the cotton into the child’s nostrils for about 20 minutes. If the baby cries or becomes uneasy with the cotton, just sponge the nose softly.
For curing bronchitis, crush ten grams of seabuckthorn, add it to 200 ml of water and boil it for 30 minutes. Take three spoons a day. Also, you can drink boiled ginger juice. For babies, crush three stalks of parsley into 150 ml of water and boil for two to three minutes and give it to the baby after it cools down. For adults, boil five stalks of parsley in the same amount of water.
To prevent flu, wash your hands often and rinse out your mouth with bicarbonate soda water. In addition, drink one ml of ascorbic acid (available in all pharmacies in Ulaanbaatar) after breakfast. Active prevention is the key to avoiding the cold and flu. Let’s be healthy as a horse, and as energetic and prosperous in the year of the Green Horse!
Short URL: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=7245
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