- A Simple Fish Dish » »
- « « The Eiger Section
A Calming Restorative
Soothing tonics when all is not well
Unusually for me my cast iron constitution was put to the test yesterday with a day long feeling of general nausea and subsequent malaise at this rude interruption to my busy schedule.
I am one of those who prefers to take pre-emptive action to any form of ill health. I eat healthily, drink moderately and excercise regularly though fat lot of good it did yesterday. So when these safety measures break down I look to remedy the situation as soon as possible. I am not a pill popper unless it’s serious so I do like the more natural solutions wherever possible i.e food and drink.
Chamomille tea is a firm favourite of mine in times of dispair, so much so that I intend to grow and dry my own next year so that I can make my own blend up. I avoid any caffeine and drink lots of water.
You don’t need to be Dr.Kildare to know the popularity of a plain soup such as chicken or mushroom, my choice yesterday was a light broth of chicken and vegetables with a few hokkien noodles, a splash of soy and the last of my Asian herbs. More tea ensued; mint, jasmine and an uplifting green tea with tropical fruits meant I could return to work for dinner service after a three hour sleep in the afternoon.
Service over, I braved the cold and dutifully observed my carbon footprint home on two wheels (are you listening Mr. Cameron?) and drank the last of my tea allowance before passing out for the rest of the night.
Valerian tea sends me off to the land of nod like no other, the ensuing dreams are quite unreal. I am sure I could write Sgt.Peppers if I drank enough of it. Also known by the rather exotic name of Garden Heliotrope small amounts can be found in men’s cologne and soaps which rats find rather appealing-that explains my success rate with women.
So, following a sound night’s sleep courtesy of Dr. Stuart’s Valerian Plus tea yours truly is ready to beat the carbon footpath once again. Actually, it’s freezing, where’s the car keys?!
Any suggestions for gastronomic medicinal cures gratefully received.
Tea won’t cure these things - it’s a virus!
Unless there is a recognized medical antidote all you can do is support your body as it fights the virus !
Chicken soup and valerian tea
Chicken madras, claret and cognac !
November 9, 2007 @ 8:54 am
Miles,
Whatever it is that you’re on, I want some too. Seems we’ve all been feeling about the same, must be an epidemic or a germ ridden sibling
Either way I intend to get some of that valerian tea …. people round here think I’ve been on it for years, they may be in for a shock!
This being my lunch hour, I shall take one of my special chamomille tea bags to work. Typical, I’m supposed to be out with the girls tonight and certainly don’t feel up to it ….. no good asking you to stand in for me Miles
?
Cid
p.s. isn’t ginger supposed to help nausea?
November 9, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
Cid,
I couldn’t possibly fill your bohemian footwear for this evening, besides I’ve got seventy people coming over for dinner.
I shall pass on my germs to relatives this sunday with a bit of luck. Yes, ginger is good for dicky stomachs as is the echinacea tea I am drinking as I type.
Hope you feel better soon.
Miles
November 9, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Derfel,
Fair Play to you!!
Miles
November 9, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Miles & Cid,
Wishing you both a speedy recovery by whatever means.
I was prompted to read up on the medicinal use of Valerian which appears to have been held in high esteem in medieval times as a good allrounder. Now it seems to be mainly used as an aid for sleep. Scientists appear to have found that it contains a certain acid (GABA) that is thought to inhibit the brain’s arousal system!!
Cats and other small animals are attracted to it!
November 9, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
Miles,
I totally agree with Chamomile and little basic bland food.
I have just spotted that Cinnamon has long been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
When choosingChamomile to grow, look out for Anthemis nobilis (English) and Matricaria chamomilla (German), the latter being an annual.
November 9, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Elsie,
Thanks for the info-most interesting particularly regarding my chamomille lawn!
Miles
November 9, 2007 @ 9:52 pm
Miles,
That is what I can do with from time to time: A calming restorative. Thank you for the tip
However, I shall not be growing Valerian if cats are attracted to it! A teabag will do me fine.
November 10, 2007 @ 11:08 am