From Garlic to Vicks — The Science Behind Cultural Cold Remedies

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We Have To Talk About…

From Garlic to Vicks — The Science Behind Cultural Cold Remedies

Whether it’s Gus Portokalos’s Windex or Gloria Delgado’s scorpion-infused rag, the cultural remedies passed down for generations are often the unsung heroes we turn to when we’re sick. As we head into cold and flu season, we want to know: What does the science say about these remedies?

Break it down for me.

Here are some of the most popular cultural remedies you shared when we asked on Instagram last week:

Garlic: It’s been used to treat illness for centuries in Egyptian, Australian, Indigenous, African, Asian, and European cultures. Family physician Natasha Bhuyan, MD, says garlic-based foods or tea may help with congestion by opening up your sinuses — though the research is mixed. And hold off on putting it directly up your nose (!), which can damage your sinuses.

Herbal remedies: Plants and herbs have long been used in traditional medicine to fight disease — but the science hasn’t caught up to many of them yet. Like…

• Echinacea. It’s said to have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Some evidence shows it helps shorten the length of colds, but the research is mixed. 

• Elderberry. One study found that elderberry significantly reduced the length of colds — but a larger review found the results inconclusive.

Vicks VapoRub: Your core memories of being slathered in Vicks by your abuela weren’t for nothing. When applied to your chest or in a humidifier, the menthol and eucalyptus oil can help break up chest congestion symptoms. It’s less likely to have a significant effect when applied to the bottoms of your feet, says Bhuyan.

Sesame oil: Massaging your feet with sesame oil for circulation and better sleep is common in some South Asian cultures — but there’s limited evidence that it’s helpful for a cold, says Bhuyan.

Soups and broths: Mom was right: Soup does make everything better. The chicken pastina and matzo ball soups of Italian and Jewish cultures (and most soups, for that matter) are hydrating, act as a humidifier, and often contain protein that helps strengthen your immune system.

Your move

Beyond helping you feel better, your family’s tried-and-true cold remedies are often the comfort you need when you’re down bad. Bhuyan says there’s little harm in turning to your favorite soup or tea for that reason. If you’re not sure if a homemade remedy is worth your time or money, she recommends asking your PCP to make sure it’s safe.

Ask An Expert

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

What ingredients should I avoid on a menu if I’m trying to eat healthy?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Theresa Gentile, RDN

Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• Added sugars: They’re empty calories that could make your blood sugar spike and leave you feeling sleepy during the day.

• Trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils: These raise bad cholesterol (LDL) and decrease good cholesterol (HDL), which increases the risk of conditions like high blood pressure, and stroke. 

• High sodium foods: Excess salt in your diet could lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

• Heavy cream and butter: These can have a lot of saturated fats, which can increase cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Here’s what to order instead.

We Tried It

Our Editorial Director Karell Roxas tested a Kegel exerciser for 30 days.

What we tried: Perifit Care+

What it’ll cost you: $143.20

Time commitment: About 10 minutes, three times a week

What we thought: 9/10. I’ve had two babies so my pelvic floor is, let’s say, out of shape. Using this device (which connects to your phone via Bluetooth) was the first time I’ve been able to stick with a consistent pelvic floor routine — and that includes regularly seeing a pelvic floor therapist.

I attribute this to the ingenious way they gamified the exercises in the form of video games. You insert the Perifit, choose your training program, and play a game like Flappy Bird…hands-free. You can see your contractions and relaxation on the screen (correlating to a bird flying up or down in this example), which helped me connect my muscles to my breath. The competitive nature of the game makes you want to “win.” And while I’ve only been doing these exercises for a month, I’ve noticed that I get up less often overnight to use the bathroom. I’ll take it.

Well Gifted

It's gift-giving season, so we're sharing some health and wellness gift recs through the end of the year. Enjoy. 

For the friend who always asks for skincare recs…

Gift them a hydrating treat for under their eyes or a body oil that gives “glass skin” a whole new meaning. Traveling for the holidays? Opt for a leak-free (and planet-friendly) moisturizer. If finding the perfect product is too much pressure, let them choose their own adventure with a gift card to this nationwide facial spa.

Quote of the Week

"Healing fiction"

Feel-good novels that often feature magical cats. Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.