Q
Dear Auntie Pearl, het antie nie huisraaidjies for sore throats nie? Of vir allergies.
This bleddie Suidooster in Cape Town makes my throat too sore.
Every summer I’m one big snot bol, walking around with a toilet roll or sniffing are my only two options.
And ladies don’t find that attractive.
I don’t have money to buy those fancy throat pille every time.
And the bleddie goed doesn’t even work. Ietsie cheap please.
From Big Boy.
A
So kind of you. Think about what the ladies will think about your sniffing and snuifing, meneer.
This time of the year can be difficult for people with hay fever and allergies and dinge, nuh?
Allergies, dry air and pollution, and of course things like seasonal flu which so many mense are suffering from these days, can all cause a sore throat.
And then we’re not even talking about the havoc that the drought is playing on our environment, my boy.
Auntie heard the other day a doctor said the pollen count is 80% higher than usual because of the drought.
Pollen, as you may know, is a very fine powder that comes from trees, flowers, grass and weeds.
It is the seed of the plants which floats in the air seeking to fertilise other plants of the same species.
Pollen is one of the most common causes of allergies and this year it seems everyone is dying from hay fever.
Your sore throat could be because of hay fever né, so you can ask the pharmacy for something to treat that.
They do have cheaper options, so ask them for the cheapest pill or nose spray they have.
That may not work because hay fever is ‘n pes, antihistamines are usually the only things that can help.
Or use a saline solution in your nose which you can buy from any pharmacy too, or DIY, boeta.
Saline solution is easy to make at home, all you need is a clean glass bottle or jar with a lid (an old jam or coffee jar will do), some salt and water.
Put one cup of water and ½ teaspoon of salt into a pot. Put the lid on and boil for 15 minutes.
Let it cool down to room temperature.
Carefully pour the mixture into the jar or bottle. You can keep this mixture for up to 24 hours.
After that, throw away any unused solution, wash the container, and make a new mixture.
Now go stand over the bathroom sink and lean your head forward.
Tilt your head to one side and pour the solution into one nostril.
Aim the stream toward the back of your head, and let it go into your nasal cavity and run out the other nostril.
Adjust the position of your head to keep it from running down the back of your throat.
Gently blow your nose and spit out the drainage to clear the nasal passages and throat.
Repeat with your other nostril. It sounds arrig, but it works boeta.
Here’s a few kwaai huisraadjies for that sore throat.
- Gargle with warm salt water: Ja, ja Auntie knows it sounds sies, but Big Boy, it works. When your throat is hurt, the cells in the mucous membranes have become swollen and inflamed. Gargling with salt water makes the swelling go down and eases the pain. Take cooled down boiled water from the kettle (a cup) and mix in half a teaspoon of salt. Gargle a few times, spit out and do this three times a day.
- Make a Hot Toddy with a cup of hot water, some whiskey, a tablespoon of honey, and one teaspoon of lemon juice. This mix will help your sore throat and sommer give you a lekker kick as well!
- Spice up your life, and your throat, with some cayenne. Drinking warm water with cayenne pepper will make your throat feel better. Take half a teaspoon of Cayenne, one cup of boiling water, and one teaspoon of honey – mix and drink.
Good luck boeta, and let Auntie know if the huisraadjies worked.