Cold and snow: grandma's remedies for seasonal ailments.

We will certainly not forget this winter: the Arctic and Balkan currents are putting all of Italy to the test, and surprisingly, in the central-southern regions, snow has arrived abundantly and at various times. Advertisements for medicines against fever, cough, and various ailments have seen a significant increase, yet we can also help ourselves with recipes and strategies that our grandmothers and mothers cherished. Exclusive recipes that every village in every region of Italy knows and makes its own: those that are commonly referred to as "grandmother's remedies".

Today there is a strong return to natural medicine and the search for new healing methods without the use of chemicals. Events like Sana in Bologna have highlighted the boom in this sector, the nutraceutical, as it is defined. Foods that have nutritional value beyond just providing nutrients and are vehicles of well-being. Once, when medicines were a luxury reserved for the few, it was nature and the earth that offered the most immediate and possible alternatives. Therefore, returning to our Mother Earth with a bit more trust can also become a reconciliation with her.

Shall we give some examples? Let's start with the remedies from our South Tyrolean grandmothers. One of the most used beverages during the winter months to fight illnesses has always been hot milk with a generous spoonful of turmeric. This spice has indeed a great capacity to be not only a warming agent against the cold, but above all it is a product that strengthens the immune system, plus it is an excellent pain reliever and natural anti-inflammatory. A spoonful a day of turmeric is a remedy even for the prevention of seasonal ailments. 

If we go down to Sicily, another great tradition is the squeezing of organic oranges which, already in their natural state, have such a high content of vitamin C that they provide an excellent barrier against flu and inflammatory states. But a grandmother's recipe is to heat a glass of orange juice with thin slices of ginger inside. A virtuous combination of two important natural products that have many properties. Sore throat, fever, digestion, arthritic pain, colds are all painful conditions that can be prevented or significantly alleviated by this extraordinary root.

Another natural remedy that has no rivals is a cup of milk and honey to drink before going to bed. The combination of the nutritional properties of these two foods is ideal for supplying vitamins, proteins, antibacterial compounds, and strengthening the immune system. Moreover, it is an excellent ally for those suffering from insomnia as it promotes rest and the onset of sleep. 

Then there are many other solutions: to fight conjunctivitis, two large cabbage leaves steamed and placed over the eyes; to combat colds, infusions of Scots pine, thyme, eucalyptus; for headaches the fumes of vinegar heated in hot water; and so on. 

If we know nature and all its health-giving power, we can avoid relying on chemicals or, at least, limit them as much as possible. Never before has our Earth deserved to be called Mother in this case.

Bernardo Pasquali

S&M