Ancient Remedies for Cold, Winter Months

Ancient cultures from around the world worked tenaciously in their day to create treatments, tools, and techniques for the benefit of society’s overall health and wellness. While many of these eventually found themselves overridden with the dawn of advanced research, new discoveries, and Western medicine, a surprising number of them have survived the centuries – if not millennia – and continue to enjoy an amazing amount of relevance even today. The following list compiles a small selection of these remaining remedies and beauty products, with little additions from my own experience.
 
1. Olive Oil
 

Discovered over 5,000 years ago, this prized oil was used by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Phoenicians as an ancient beauty treatment, and if you have ever envied the flawless skin of Mediterranean women, you should add this multi-purpose product to your daily regime. For example, olive oil can work wonders on dry, brittle hair during the coldest months of the year. For a quick treatment before you dash out to class, work a nickel-sized dollop through the ends of your hair (use more or less depending on your hair’s thickness) and then seal it by blasting your hair dryer on it for about 10-15 seconds.
 
If you want some serious shine, warm up several tablespoons of olive oil in the microwave and massage the oil into your roots all the way down to your ends. Cover your head with a shower cap or a small plastic bag for 20-30 minutes and then shampoo the oil out to achieve supermodel hair status. This miracle oil is also a lifesaver for dry skin and chapped lips as well when massaged directly onto your skin. My personal favorite secret is to apply a liberal amount of oil to your feet before you go to bed. Cover them with cotton socks (not sexy…but imagine those oh-so-soft feet in the morning!). The trick works for hands, too, if you cover them with white cotton gloves (hmm…even less sexy).
 
2. Honey
 

This natural substance practically makes olive oil look brand new, as cavemen were hunting for it in the Mesolithic era about 10,000 years ago. Ever since, honey has been known for its healing properties and power of immunity. First of all, did you know it can be used as a natural substitute for antibiotic ointment? When you get a cut or scrape, simply dab a little honey on it and cover it with a band-aid like you usually would. Try it out and get ready to see your wound heal in half the time, as honey contains natural antimicrobial properties that kill germs.
 
Also, when you get a sore throat, mix honey with a few lemon slices in hot water, and it will help soothe your throat while also giving your immune system a boost. And when you are feeling slightly under the weather, the best way to fight off an imminent cold is to mix honey and a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon into hot water as well. Not only does honey help the immune system, but for all of the athletes out there, honey has also been proven to give you a boost in your sports performance while building endurance and also relieving muscle fatigue. The health benefits of this product are endless, especially during the coldest months in Appleton.
 
3. Tea
 

From ancient Buddhist monks using it in their spiritual ceremonies to American revolutionaries dumping it into Boston Harbor, tea has become much more than a beverage in our society today. For nearly 5,000 years, this drink has been a source of meditation, medicine, political turmoil, social divisions, as well as superstition. While there are thousands of different varieties of tea in the world, each has its own benefits.
 
For example, green tea, best known for its cancer-fighting antioxidants, also burns fat, counteracts stress, and improves your cholesterol levels among many other beneficial qualities. Black tea, on the other hand, has been shown to help protect your lungs from exposure to cigarette smoke while also reducing your risk of strokes. Oolong tea has proven to be the best tea to help you lose weight whereas white tea is the most unprocessed and contains the most antioxidants. Another beauty secret that I love to do in the morning is placing my used green tea bags under my eyes to get rid of bags and puffiness. Hold the teabag under each eye for about 5-10 minutes to get the best effect while also helping to prevent wrinkles. All in all, the ancient cultures of the world truly knew the secret to happiness: simplici-tea!
 
 Sources:
bigelowtea.com, curbly.com, whfoods.com
Pictures:
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