Grandma’s good old chicken soup and other nondrug alternatives

Tis the season for colds. Instead of popping a cold tablet, some people wheezing through a nasty cold are reaching for a nice, steaming hot bowl of chicken soup. In our lolas’ days, when the nearest doctor lived miles away, people had no access to medicine. Thus, they turned to unconventional treatment – and oftentimes, to the old folks’ conventional wisdom. For instance, to relieve cold symptoms, Grandma prescribed her favorite antibiotic – chicken soup. Trust her to soothe a sniffle with her good old chicken soup recipe prepared with a dash of TLC (tender loving care, of course).

According to Joe and Teresa Graedon, America’s most trusted consumer health authorities and authors of the book The People’s Pharmacy, "there’s evidence that chicken soup does more to relieve cold symptoms than other hot liquids."

Fact is, chicken soup is highly recommended by Mayo Clinic in its Health Letter: "Next time you come down with a head cold, try hot homemade chicken soup before heading for the pharmacy. We believe chicken soup can be an excellent treatment for uncomplicated head colds and other viral respiratory infections for which antibiotics are not helpful."

Mayo gingerly adds that chicken soup is a "safe, effective treatment for many illnesses not requiring professional attention." It notes that side effects are few, like weight gain when taken excessively.

The Graedons point out that unlike in Grandma’s days, the modern world is preoccupied with treating disease rather than preventing illness. But today, there’s an increasing number of people who are turning to alternative medicine. Self-care and nondrug alternatives are becoming more and more acceptable. A survey in the US shows that one person out of three had tried at least one alternative therapy in the past year.

What’s more, New England Journal of Medicine researchers gave a profile of those most likely to try unconventional therapy: On the whole, they were younger, more educated and better off than the rest of the people in the study.

For a cold accompanied by whooping cough, try this: Put about 20 cloves of garlic in a pot of chicken soup.

The one who prescribed this does not guarantee a cure but says that it would at least minimize transmission of the cold virus as your garlic breath is sure to ward off people.

If Grandma’s chicken soup does not do the trick, try spicy foods (they help loosen up respiratory tract secretions). Or try this at home: Gargle about 20 drops of Tabasco sauce in eight ounces of water.

Care for cranberry juice to cure your UTI (urinary tract infection)? Findings show that cranberry juice drinkers only had about one-fourth the risk of bacteria in the urine.

What about gin-soaked raisins for arthritis? This recipe comes from a parishioner at St. Lucas Lutheran Church in Toledo:

Empty one box of golden light raisins into a large shallow container. Completely cover the raisins with gin. Let stand, uncovered, until the gin evaporates. Store them in a closed container and eat nine raisins daily. Note: This is not for those allergic to sulfites.

To ward off those pesky mosquitoes (especially during dengue season), mix and apply this on the body: 1 tbsp. citronella oil, 2 cups white vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 cup Avon Skin-So-Soft (yes, you read that right). Yes, Avon Skin-So-Soft has started making loud noises reportedly for its effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes.

Sore about your canker sores (singaw)? Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with baking soda.

Can’t stand your smelly feet? Try this: Brew five tea bags in a quart of hot water. Let it cool, then soak feet for 30 mins. (It is said that the tannic acid in tea controls excessive sweating of the feet.)

A friendly word of caution from the Graedons though: "Home remedies have to be used carefully. The trick to doctoring yourself lies in knowing when not to do it."

* * * Attention Senior Citizens!

Dear Atty. Zenaida Reyes,

I am 68 years old and worked with the city government for 38 continuous years.

I have read that under RA 7432 on senior citizens, all earned interests from savings deposits or any investment are exempt from taxes like the 20 percent withholding tax.

When I deposited my lumpsum retirement pay, the bank took 20 percent withholding tax from my earned interests. Is this correct?

I raised this question to the bank officer, but she told me that the 20 percent withholding tax is to be deducted from the earned interests of senior citizens.

I hope you can guide me.

– Genina Ruiz, Davao City

Dear Ms. Ruiz,

After a review of the exemptions under Rep. Act #7432, we regret to inform you that this law does not have any such provision and thus, the banks will always deduct this 20 percent withholding tax on earned interests of time deposits of senior citizens.

In view of the above, last Sept. 2, I requested the Department of Social Welfare and Development to work for the integration of such exemption in the draft Magna Carta for Older Persons then pending at the office of Senator Noli de Castro.

Unfortunately, my review of Senate Bill #2395, which proposes to amend RA 7432, still does not contain such exemption under its Section 4, Privileges of Senior Citizens.

Very truly yours,

Atty. Zenaida Reyes