Traditional remedies for coughs and colds in the elderly.

As autumn arrives, the climate changes somewhat from summer. Several illnesses are common during this season, such as bronchitis and digestive disorders.

This section discusses remedies for coughs and colds in the elderly.

During this season, elderly people should avoid sudden changes in body temperature and should consume energy-rich foods when the weather turns cold due to heavy rain to maintain body temperature balance.

Another essential thing is to get restful sleep at night, as frequent insomnia weakens the body's immune system, making it more susceptible to illness. Attention should be paid to respiratory illnesses, high blood pressure, and other health problems.

Autumn is the season when lung and bronchial diseases are more likely to develop due to allergens such as pollen, bacteria, and mold. The bronchi (especially in people with asthma) are very sensitive to these pathogens.

To prevent high blood pressure this season, older people should consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, reduce salt and fat intake, and avoid alcohol.

Ginger, mustard greens, and garlic - Photo by K.Vy

Simple home remedies for coughs and colds.

- Ginger: Contains essential oils that kill fungi and bacteria, effective against respiratory infections and sore throats. We can use it to treat colds in the form of hot ginger tea, ginger porridge, ginger jam, and pickled ginger, which have warming, anti-cold, and expectorant effects.

You can use ginger to make soup to relieve colds as follows: 15g of onion, 6g of fresh ginger, 6g of perilla leaves, or 10g of sliced ​​fresh ginger, 500g of chopped mustard greens, cooked into a soup with minced meat.

Alternatively, you can take 500 ml of vinegar, 100g each of fresh ginger and garlic, wash them thoroughly, slice them, and soak them in the vinegar. Seal the container and let it sit for 30 days. When you have a cold or flu, eat your food with 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of the ginger and garlic-infused vinegar.

- Garlic: An antibiotic

Allicin in garlic has antibacterial properties, treating infections, and also has expectorant properties, so it is used to treat common respiratory illnesses such as sore throat and bronchitis, especially when suffering from a cold. A soup containing garlic and ginger can be eaten hot to induce sweating and relieve cold symptoms.

- Onions: Beneficial for the five internal organs, help strengthen the immune system against respiratory bacteria, participate in the process of testosterone formation, and improve appetite. Onions contain digestive enzymes that break down sugars and a large amount of vitamin C (meeting 20% ​​of the daily requirement) along with a significant amount of calcium. Therefore, onions are often used in combination to relieve colds.

- Herbal steam bath: Commonly used ingredients include purple basil, lemon, grapefruit, lemongrass, mint, perilla, ginger, betel leaves, etc. These leaves often contain essential oils with active ingredients that help disinfect the respiratory tract when vaporized after heating, making them very effective in treating colds, especially for adults.

According to Thanh Nien - NT