15 Most Used Natural Remedies In The Lebanese Household

There has been a massive comeback to natural remedies worldwide but, in Lebanon, these have been part of our cultural ways of living and dealing with minor health issues and discomforts.

These nature's remedies didn't disappear from the Lebanese kitchen's shelves when science took over, nor from our traditions. If you were raised in Lebanon, you know what we are talking about here.

On the shelves of your mom's kitchen, you could surely find the Maryamieh herbs near the Panadol, and the Orange Blossom water ( May Zaher ) near the digestive med, and so on.

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Here is how it goes: We always go for pharma meds and, 10 minutes later, we are drinking a hot Yansoun tea or a fenjen of warm May Zaher , or mixing that honey and butter for our sore throat, or drinking that lemonade for our cold.

For those who don't know our cultural ways through home remedies, and for those who want to be reminded, here are some of the most used in our Lebanese households.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant as medical advice and none of the following is. If you have any medical condition, please consult your doctor.

#1 Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

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Long used in our households for various purposes, including rubbed on the chest to reduce congestion, rubbed warm on babies' tummy to soothe colics, also as a skin moisturizer, for hair brilliance and smoothness, and for lips' cracking.

#2 Rosewater (may wared)

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Used as a face moisturizer and also to soothe sunburn and eczema.

#3 Orange Blossom water (may zaher)

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To release bloating and facilitate digestion after a heavy meal. In Lebanon, there is something called "white coffee." It's actually orange blossom water mixed with boiled water.

#4 Qass3en (قصعين) water

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For tummy ache and period cramps. The herb from which this is extracted is also called Sage and Maryamieh.

#5 Herbal Teas

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Sage tea (maryamieh) - for the common cold, tummy ache, and joint inflammation.

Yansoun tea - for relaxation

Mint tea - for sore throat and digestion

Chamomile tea - for upset stomach (nausea)

Zhourat (mixture of dry flowers) tea - for overall well-being

#6 Lemon Juice

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Lemon juice consumed as lemonade or added to a tea to combat cold and flu, and also tiredness. No biggy here, that's all vitamin C.

#7 Garlic cloves & Onion