Treat constipation, burns and other ailments such as burns, colds and more.

So I was feeling unwell the other day and I felt jialat after that. Fever, chills, you name it, I had it. Luckily, my grandma was around that day and she made me drink coconut water. Wah I tell you, I got better in like two hours. This incident made me realise that old-school remedies from our grandparents’ time might actually work. Here are a few remedies that have proven effective.

1. Coconut Water

Hydrates you and lowers blood pressure

Thanks to Mr Coconut, coconut drinks are becoming the next bubble tea in Singapore. But the OG coconut water itself actually has a lot of health benefits. It’s rich in electrolytes which helps hydrate you after you’re working out. It also contains potassium which lowers your blood pressure, making coconut water a surprisingly healthy drink.

2. Tumeric

Reduces inflammation and improves memory

Turmeric is not just an amazing spice that makes your food taste great. Its main active ingredient is curcumin – a compound that’s rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease who paired 2g of curcumin per day with their meds were more likely to stay in remission. 

Another study showed that taking 90 mg of curcumin twice a day for 18 months improves the memory of adults without dementia. These findings indicate that curcumin can also be used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Aloe Vera

Treats burns and slows ageing

I’m not talking about the aloe vera cubes in your bubble tea hor. I’m talking about the big aloe leaves you see in supermarkets. The gel in those leaves contains a lot of benefits including vitamins and antioxidants. Aloe vera has been used to protect one’s skin as early as 1810 and studies have shown that it reduces the healing time of burns by about nine days as compared to regular medicine.

Consuming aloe vera gel might also help you look younger. A 2009 study of 30 females over age 45 showed that their collagen production increased and their skin became more elastic.

4. Ginger

Improves digestion and treats nausea

Good news for those who love teh halia. Research has shown that the enzymes in ginger can break down the gases in your digestive tract, thereby increasing movement there. If you’re a pregnant woman constantly suffering from morning sickness, taking 1,500 mg of ginger extract daily can alleviate symptoms of nausea – according to a 2011 review.

5. Lemon Juice

Prevents kidney stones

This one needs a bit of chemistry knowledge, so bear with me hor. Lemon juice contains citric acid. The citrate in citric acid binds with the calcium in our kidneys, making your urine less acidic. As a result, kidney stones are less likely to form in our bodies!

Lemon juice, when mixed in warm water and honey, is also a good cure for sore throats and is what most singers swear by when they are on tour.

6. Dried Prunes

Treats osteoporosis

Dried prunes contain boron which helps build strong bones and muscles. This is especially useful for older people with lower bone density. A recent study showed that just six pieces of dried prunes a day helped prevent loss of bone mass in postmenopausal women.

7. Coffee

Treats migraines

When you kena a migraine, your blood vessels will swell and lead to more blood pressure around the brain. The caffeine in coffee has vasoconstrictive properties which narrow those blood vessels to restrict blood flow, thereby alleviating the pain.

8. Red Wine

Cures colds

Finally a good excuse to drink wine every day! Spanish scientists discovered that those who drank at least three glasses of red wine daily had 44% fewer colds than those who didn’t. This is due to the fact that red wine contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that help the immune system.

Treat your ailments with these old-school remedies

These foods show that old-school is always cool. Especially when it comes to curing common illnesses. It’s like what Ah Gong used to say, “Just eat fruits and drink water. You’ll be okay after that!”