“Kitchen Medicine” and Other Complements to Treatment for the Coronavirus

As we have all learned by now, the primary problem with the coronavirus is in the lungs. And we also know there are traditional kitchen remedies for many ailments that can complement a primary course of treatment. There is one such traditional remedy that helped the lady who posted this clip.

She was on the verge of going to the hospital and decided to check the book Kitchen Medicine: Household Remedies for Common Ailments and Domestic Emergencies. The remedy it lists for pneumonia is an onion poultice:

  1. Finely chop and crush an onion and put the mush on a square cloth.
  2. Tie the diagonal corners (furthest distance…) to encase it and then put it on your skin in the upper chest area, over the lungs.

The woman who posted the video suggested doing this in the front, which is definitely easier to reach. She found it effective for as long as 18 hours and felt improvements in her condition within minutes of applying it.

Since onions affect your breath when you eat them, clearly some goes to the lungs so eating them should also help. I sent the video to a friend who has weak lungs. As it turns out, her grandmother used this very approach to save her life when she had what appeared to be pneumonia as an infant. I sent the information to another friend who has been struggling with COVID-19 for 2 weeks. She found the onions helpful but too cold for sleeping. I suggested warming the onions and sniffing the vapor. It helped. Meanwhile, another friend said that sleeping next to chopped onions years ago helped his cough. Another said a mixture of onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and a fresh orange, cooked together, had similar benefits and was used in Africa and the Caribbean. Yet another said an onion compress on the foot during sleep is helpful.

More of the lungs’ capacity is at the back of the lungs than the front, so it is better to lie on your stomach rather than on your back if you are having problems breathing. It is better to put the onion poultice on the back for someone laying on their stomach. Another person who had the virus and recovered said that although being horizontal feels better, fluid tends to accumulate in the lungs when you are lying down so it is best to stay vertical as much as possible.

Another friend noted that viruses don’t like heat or an alkaline environment. Sugar, fat and most grains acidify the body, as do most meats and some fish, many fruits, and most nuts. Except for nightshades, vegetables are alkalizing. Some other alkalizing foods are millet, almonds, chicken breast, vinegar, and citrus fruits. (Some foods are acidic as eaten but alkalizing when digested.) Most Americans tend to be too acidic for optimal health. While it is safe to eat some acidifying foods, it would be best to avoid them as much as possible.

Additional Notes:

  • I learned recently that an essential oil blend called Sun Breeze is also good for respiratory challenges. Apply around eyes and nose and chest after a hot bath.
  • According to traditional Chinese medicine, coughing depletes lung chi, making the lungs less able to heal. In my opinion, the best cough remedy is Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark cough syrup, available in most health food stores. It helps instantly and tastes great. There is at least one more brand that uses cherry bark, and Olbas makes a cough lozenge with vitamin C added, a more portable option.
  • Did you know? From a spiritual perspective lung problems are associated with a lack of gratitude!
  • Finally, for my mask, my plan is to add a Swiffer because they have a tacky substance that holds dust and a lot of surface area because they are fuzzy. I plan to attach it to the outside of my mask. When it starts to look gross, I will use it for dusting my house.

More soon!

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this post are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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