Health Life Hacks From Our Lolas That We Still Use Today #LolaCares

I grew up with my lola and I still remember how much she spoils me when I was a kid (and even when I’m already a grown-up). She’s the kindest and the sweetest person I have ever met next to my mom. Even though she was not with us anymore, I still treasure every moment we spent together, still embrace all the lessons I’ve learned from her, and still apply those weird yet surprisingly effective life hacks she taught.

Those who grew up with their lolas will surely agree about these insane life hacks. Our beloved lolas taught us everything from those weird concoctions to those bizarre methods of treatment. Let’s all admit that despite all the weirdness, we are still oddly applying these life hacks even today not because we grew up with these methods or traditions but because we know that they are surprisingly effective!

Without further ado, allow me to give you some of the life hacks I have learned from my lola that I’m sure most of you can relate to.

Oregano Leaves to Treat Cough

Although I personally hate the taste of it, my lola and my mom used to apply this natural medication to me when I was a kid. The Oregano leaves are really known for their natural medicinal properties and treating coughs is just one of its many health benefits. Preparation is simple but methods may also vary. My lola prepares it this way. First, gather fresh oregano leaves. You can either “sapaw” (placed on top of the nearly cooked rice) the leaves or cook it on a preheated pan (no oil). After few minutes, crush the leaves and extract the juice from them. Add at least one or two tablespoons of juice from a freshly squeezed kalamansi. You can take this twice or thrice a day until the symptoms are gone.

Bayabas Leaves For Constipation

Just like the Oregano, Bayabas or Guava is also known for their natural medicinal properties. One of its most common health benefits is the ability to treat constipation and abdominal pain. You can do so by making tea using the Bayabas leaves. To prepare this, all you need to do is to add guava leaves to boiling water and boil for 20 minutes. Then strain the water and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Also, this must be consumed on an empty stomach and you may find instant relief once you’ve followed the steps carefully.

The Wonders of Cat’s Claw

Some of you might have heard of the woody vine that is called Cat’s claw. This plant normally grows wild in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America. It has thorns that resemble cat’s claw, hence the name. It is known for many medicinal benefits and has been used to ward off diseases many centuries ago. Today, cat’s claw remains to be a popular herbal supplement. It is known to boost someone’s immune system and help people fight infections more effectively. It can also relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, gouts, and other viral infections.

Tuba-Tuba Leaves for Muscle Knot (or Lamig)

I’m sure most of you have heard of the term “lamig sa katawan” whenever you visit a healer or manghihilot. Well, according to Kuya Kim Atienza, there’s actually a scientific term for “lamig” and that’s muscle knot. Whenever we feel some discomfort like muscle pain, our lola would always suggest getting some Tuba-tuba leaves (from our neighbor’s backyard). Normally, she would rub essential oil on the leaves and pass it over an open flame (stove or candle) to make the leaves smooth and pliable (similar to how to prepare banana leaves before a boodle fight). While it is warm, quickly stick the leaves over the affected part of your body.

Suob for Colds

Experiencing heavy breathing due to colds? My lola taught us a quick remedy for an instant relief. Take a large bowl, pour boiling water, and add few drops of eucalyptus or any essential oils. While the hot water is still producing steam, bend over with your face over the bowl and cover your head with the towel or thick blanket so the steam cannot escape. Breathe slow and steadily. The inhalation duration should lie between ten to twenty minutes. You can repeat this gentle method of treatment multiple times during the day. This method provides instant relief of the cold symptoms.

Agua Florida for Muscle Knots (and also to avoid bad spirits)

I’m not sure if most of you are familiar with Agua Florida. You can buy this liquid from different pharmacies. Although the bottle often describes it as an “after bath cologne”, my lola uses this liquid differently. Well according to her, Agua Florida is an effective topical medicine to reduce muscle knots or “lamig sa katawan” and abdominal pain. Until today, whenever we feel some kind of discomfort, my mom would always buy a bottle of Agua Florida for quick relief. Interestingly, my lola also applies it to us whenever we go out or visit a new place. They said that agua florida can send bad spirits away and also prevents you from “usog”.

Pineapple Juice to Lower Blood Pressure

This is a very common one. It is medically proven that pineapple has properties that can lower your blood pressure. Pineapple juice reduces hypertension due to the adequate presence of potassium and a lesser amount of sodium. My lola who also has hypertension made it a habit to store cans of Pineapple juice in her fridge so whenever she feels like her blood pressure is rising, she can quickly consume a can for instant relief. Sometimes, she would also consume and chew a piece of raw garlic to lower down her blood pressure.

Aloe Vera to Treat Burns and Wounds

Another very common natural remedy that is already medically proven is the application of Aloe Vera gel over small wounds, burns, or skin irritations. It is always ideal to have an Aloe vera plant in your backyard or garden. This plant comes with many great uses aside from being a natural cosmetic product. Whenever we get a small open wound after playing outside, burns from touching a hot mug of coffee, or skin irritation from allergy, my lola would just peel off the skin of an aloe vera plant and apply the gel over the wound and let it dry. Scientific studies state that aloe vera contains the compound glucomannan, which promotes cellular regeneration and collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein that promotes wound healing. Our lolas are right all along!

Gawgaw and Coke Concoction for Diarrhea

This concoction might sound weird but believe me, this is surprisingly effective whenever you experiencing diarrhea or LBM. I personally think that the result is faster than taking loperamide and other anti-diarrhea meds. You just have to bear the weird taste. To prepare this, simply pour the soft drinks into an empty glass and add two or three tablespoons of Gawgaw or cornstarch (remember liwayway gawgaw?). Mix the powder until incorporated. Drink the concoction for quick relief.

Lolas Health Life Hacks Application during the Pandemic

Now that we are facing possibly one of the greatest challenges of our time. This global pandemic is indeed a big threat to our health and everybody from all walks of life is greatly affected by it. Everyone is vulnerable and keeping our health in good shape is our only strongest weapon at this moment. These life hacks may not save us from being infected by the virus or cure us from COVID 19 but they can surely help us to keep our body healthy and strong during this crucial time. Suob treatment, for instance, is currently on the mainstream right now. Apparently, COVID 19 affects the respiratory system that can cause heavy breathing. Most people affected by this virus use this traditional practice for quick relief.

Lola Remedios

Of course, getting a healthy body and stronger immune system cannot be achieved by simply applying these simple yet surprisingly effective health life hacks from our beloved lolas. These must be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. Make sure that you’re getting the right amount of exercise regularly, drink enough water daily, and never forget to take your Vitamins!

In addition to this healthy habit, there are also many ways to improve your immune system, boost your mood and mental acuity, and even improve your chronic health condition symptoms. This is where food supplements like Lola Remedios come to play. Unlike other food supplements in the market today, Lola Remedios doesn’t come in the form of capsules, tablets, or powder. It’s an All Natural Ready to Drink Syrup that will surely reminds you of those traditional medicinal concoctions that our lolas used to prepare for us whenever we got colds and coughs.

This amazing food supplement is described as a natural remedy for conditions like sore throat, coughs, and cold. It is also a remedy for muscle knots or what our lola used to describe as “lamig sa katawan”. Each sachet is filled with 15ml syrup made from all-natural ingredients like honey, ginger, clove, fennel, and mint. For someone like me who suffers from Diabetes, my energy level is always depleting. I always get these muscle knots that make me feel weak and unmotivated. By taking Lola Remedios syrup daily, my energy is always in a good shape and it helps me become more productive in my work.