Home remedies for Mauritians

Though there has been a lot of advance in the medicinal sector these past years, many people are now going more and more for home remedies to treat their problems. Home remedies are the totally natural ways to cure ailments using some of the vital ingredients found in vegetables, fruits, spices, flowers and oils. Enzymes, active ingredients, alkaloids and minerals found in the products bind to specific sites in the body and do the work of synthetic products such as pills. Because they are just like the natural foodstuff that the human body is used to, excess can be easily eliminated. The remedies can be made in no time at all given that they are already found right in the kitchen, they are very cheap as compared to conventional medicine (in fact they work in the same way as natural medicine too except on a faster scale), they do not present the side effects of many medicines and are just as effective.

Grandmother recipes have been used ever since the dawn of light to fight against diseases when medicinal products as we know today were not available. Passed down as tradition from generation to generation, these remedies have saved a lot of lives. They cover a whole spectrum of healing from common cold to asthma. However, it should be kept in mind that if you are being followed by a doctor then a home remedy may not solve your problem altogether and that they are not miracle cures either. It is recommended to use them on a 3 day basis temporarily in case your body rejects the medicine; remember that if it makes you sick or irritates your skin, you should definitely stop using it and seek medical advice.

Do it yourself tips
Anti blemish mask: Make 2 tbsp of powdered milk, 2 tbsp of lemon juice and 4 tbsp of honey into a paste. Apply to your face for 20 mins, rinse; apply a layer of yoghurt for 10 mins and then rinse.
Removal of acne marks: Mix 1 tbsp of coconut oil with 1 tsp of turmeric and apply daily to the mark until it fades away.
Exfoliants: Add 2 tbsp of sugar to the juice of half a lemon, apply to your face once you’ve washed it and let it rest for 5 mins then rinse.
Preventing hair loss: Add some Aloe vera gel to almond oil and massage your scalp with it.
For shiny hair: Beat 4 egg whites and apply to your hair for an hour before your shampoo; alternatively, after your shampoo towel dry your hair, add your conditioner and cover with a plastic cap for 15 mins then wash normally.

Your kitchen is your pharmacy
Ear infection: Put a few drops of coconut oil in your infected ear, close with some cotton for a night and wash it in the morning.
Tired eyes: Wash your eyes with cold water and apply cucumber slices on them for about an hour. For dark circles, you can apply slices of potatoes regularly until the skin lightens.
Blocked nose: Place some oil of wintergreen (menthojelly) in a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the vapours.
Tooth ache: Apply some crushed glove to the aching tooth or some whisky for about 30 mins.
Insect bite: Rub the area with some onion or vinegar.
Constipation: Very simple, eat some plums/bananas!
Sore throat: Go for some ginger tea.
Itching: Some hot water does the trick, not boiling but hot enough that you feel the itching disappear after some time.
Dry and blistered lips: Apply some butter to your lips as long as needed and you will find your lips softer than usual after the treatment.

Magical plants
Unknown to many people, the Moringa tree (Mouroum widely available in Mauritius) that grows in your backyard is an all in one plant. Besides being awesomely rich in vitamins and minerals, just the leaves of the plant can cure not less than 300 diseases (including cancers) thanks to its antioxidant properties! Ayapana is another plant of multiple virtues that was coveted a lot in the past before the introduction of western medicine; it helps not only to bring down fevers but it is also an energetic infusion. There is the lilac plant that is used for almost everything from rashes to purifying blood; the leaves are crushed and made into an infusion for purifying purposes or the crushed leaves can be applied directly to rashes for an hour. And of course the famous Aloe vera which is used mainly for treating skin problems and the gel can even be used to do dreadlocks!