Betel Leaf-Piper betle L.(Buyo) As Cough Remedy for Babies

I am primarily an asthmatic person. Aside from dust and pollution, my lung asthma triggers especially when I am exposed to sudden change in weather. In our dialect, we called it "subaw". When my first baby was three months old, she was diagnosed to have atopic dermatitis, also known as skin asthma. Since I an asthmatic person, it could certainly be that my baby would be the same. The doctor prescribed creams to soothe my baby's skin and she added that I have to make sure that the baby will not get colds to prevent further infection which may cause cough.

But since it can't be prevented, due to weather conditions, my baby first started sneezing, then had a slight runny nose. Then resulted to a little coughing which sometimes cause her to vomit. My father was so worried that he asked me when will I bring the baby to the hospital. I was on second thoughts because if I will have my baby admitted, she will definitely be on needles and I cannot afford to see the nurses putting on needles on my baby's little delicate hands.

I did an evaluation on my baby's state and decided to go on herbal remedy. I could attest to the effectiveness of buyo (betel leaf) myself so I tried it on her. I got 3 leaves, wipe it and heated the leaves, just a little enough for the leaves to shrink. Then I extracted the oil by squeezing it and applied it on my baby's back. I did it consecutively every night before going to sleep until her coughing softens.

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Health Benefits of Ginger and Ginger Tea

Below are some of the health benefits of ginger and ginger tea. Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments for centuries. Based on research, the herbal therapeutic benefits of ginger are mainly due to the presence of volatile oils and the high oleoresin content. 

Health benefits of ginger tea:

• Aids in digestion
• Relieves nausea, including dizziness from motion sickness
• Helps lower cholesterol
• Relieves gas and bloating
• Treats common colds
• Eases menstrual cramps - Ginger is known to have antispasmodic qualities. It helps in directing the blood flow to the pelvic region. This releases the blockages and cures cramping in the process.
• Relieves headaches
• Helps stop diarrhea
• Heartburn relief - Ginger has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy. It is most often taken in the form of tea for this purpose.
• Protects the liver - Drinking alcohol in large quantity can give the person a hangover. One of the ginger tea benefits is that it reduces the effects of a hangover. Consuming alcohol or taking drugs can cause severe damage to the liver. Drinking ginger tea daily, twice a day, helps in keeping the liver protected against the ill effects of such toxic substances.
• Cures acne - One of the major reasons behind the appearance of acne is stress. Ginger tea freshens up a person, and improves his mood. This reduces the stress and thus, acne is minimized too. Also, ginger tea has anti-inflammatory properties, because of which, any kind of pimples or swelling on skin gets reduced with its regular consumption.

Ginger tea is also known as 'Salabat' in Philippine folk medicine. Here's how to make homemade instant salabat. Just click the link.

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Ginger Tea Recipe - How to Make Homemade Instant Salabat

Ginger tea or salabat as it is locally known in the Philippines is a very good home treatment for colds and flu. It is also used as alternative remedy for indigestion and nausea, as well as it soothes sore throat. My mother is an avid drinker of salabat as according to her, it relieves her stomach gas pains especially every morning. Salabat is perfect for her as coffee or milk is not good because it upsets her stomach. I think that is what they call lactose intolerance.

You can check in here the health benefits of ginger and ginger tea.

Ginger is often called an herb or a root, but actually it’s a rhizome, which is like an underground stem. Its aromatic, culinary and medicinal properties have been revered for thousands of years in Asian, Indian and Arabic cultures.

How to make homemade instant salabat or ginger tea

There are many ways on how to prepare ginger tea. Some just make use of the fresh ginger rhizomes sliced into thin strips and they bring it to a boil. Here's one example on how to do it:

• 2 (1") cubes fresh ginger
• 3 heaped tbsp. honey
• 2 tbsp. chopped dried fruit of choice

Peel ginger and chop coarsely. Add it to 4 cups of water with the honey and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 10 minutes covered. Uncover and cook for another 15 minutes on medium heat. You should have about 3 cups of liquid now. Turn off heat, add chopped dried fruit and serve. This can be served cold.

I've found an instructional slideshow video on how to make instant salabat. Later, I will have to ask my mother to make a homemade salabat so I can show it to you.

One day, I'll try to add my own version of how to make homemade instant salabat. Of course, I'll ask my mother to do the preparation while I shot the video.

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