Home Remedies

 Lalithamma was noticing that her daughter Vasavi’s appetite has diminished these days and she was not as active as she used to be. She had a doubt that she has seen a yellowish tinge in her eyes. She took few grains of rice and put them in her daughter’s urine. The rice grains took up the yellow color confirming her doubt that Vasavi had Jaundice. This was a house hold test for ascertaining that the person had jaundice. It was used at times when diagnostic centers were not so very prolific like now a days. Infact villages did not have any. A visit to the Doctor and requisite tests confirmed that indeed Vasavi had Jaundice due to Hepatitis A infection, which happens due to contaminated water and food. Poor Vasavi! She was distressed with the information. Her mother was stoic and did not show her feelings. She was fully aware of  age-old domestic remedies which worked very well for the ailment.

Presently, to lift up the spirits of the daughter and at the same time drive home a point she was trying to make since long, she asked her daughter if she cared for some Panipuris. Oh those Panipuris! A dreamy eyed expression with watering in the mouth, even as her general appetite had gone down, was the response of Vasavi , though she had her own doubts about the offer. “ That is the reason why you ended up with this infection.” reprimanded Lalithamma.” I have been trying to explain to you that it is not good to eat the stuff from anywhere and everywhere but you never listened to me. Your illness is the consequence of your weakness for Panipuries and next time you eat them please pay attention to the place where you are eating. With little cooperation from you, 

We will work around recovering from the disease. I thought it was our family Doctor’s job! Commented Vasavi nonchalantly. Her mother explained to her that there are no medicines for this problem but one has to take care by modifying eating habits for at least couple of months.

Luckily Lalithamma was aware that a common weed found in the garden works wonders for the ailment. Every morning she would collect the weed freshly and make an extract of it and Vasavi had to drink it on empty stomach. Her food was completely devoid of even trace of oil. She was given idlies and rice mixed with buttermilk mostly.what ever was allowed to be eaten was prepared carefully by Lalithamma so that Vasavi would relish it. Age old belief was that even applying oil externally to hair or body was not good as it may get absorbed into the body.

Lalithamma explained that in our body liver helps in the digesting of oils and fats. When the organ itself is infected we should not make it work as much as possible. It needs rest. Any burden on liver at this condition can be fatal. Though it was not at all easy for Vasavi, she meticulously followed her mother’s instructions and Lo! The Doctor could see a significant improvement within no time. When she was finally cured, the Doctor told vasavi that it was her mother’s treatment and care that helped her cure the liver and she should be grateful to her. 

Knowing that her daughter was cured of her ailment, tears of relief started flowing from her eyes. Though she put up a bold front for the sake of her daughter, deep down in her heart she was worried. She felt bad that her daughter had to eat such a bland and boring food. Vasavi realized what it takes to be a mother. In addition to all the roles she plays effortlessly, some times she need to be a doctor as well! She hugged her mother and thanked her for everything. She asked her how she knew about the treatment for jaundice. Lalithamma told that in her small village, there were no doctors and those affected with jaundice were treated with these household remedies which worked so well and she applied them for her daughter. Vasavi told her mother that she would make a note of the remedies and would use them in future if required.