India in New York February 14, 2014 | Page 20

Health 20 INDIA IN NEW YORK FEBRUARY 14, 2014 Y our kitchen offers amazingly simple cures to problems that need not always be sorted by popping pills. Earlier, these simple kitchen solutions would be confined to the region of their origin. Today, thanks to the easy availability of information, kitchen remedies from one region can be used in the opposite corner of the world. It must also be remembered that, since natural remedies are rather powerful, their side-effects can also be disturbing. While self-prescription would be foolhardy, this kind of easy access to information offers options that can be considered after checking out various sources for hidden contraindications that may not be known. For instance, while nutmeg is often used (in negligible amounts, less than a pinch at a time) as an aphrodisiac in India, too much of it could be dangerous, since it could cause seizures or fits. Nutmeg is a nervine herb; it impacts your nervous system. Do ensure, however, that you carefully check the drawbacks of misusing these simple remedies. Shameem Akthar offers home remedies for everyday ailments Kitchen clinic Turmeric Turmeric is often regarded as the yoga herb because it can improve flexibility and help heal joint inflammation. There has been some drama around this root, when it was sought to be patented by an American firm, but the issue has since been resolved. In many parts of India, even today, raw haldi paste is rubbed on the skin to remove suntan, prevent sunburn and reduce damage to the