What does it take to get better after you have fallen sick? A world with science discovering something new everyday and medicine at its best, what helps? How do people with an aversion to allopathy get better? Maybe with more resilience than with traditional allopathic medication. How can sugar coated balls show stronger results? How do home remedies with strong ginger and spice potions rid the sinuses of all infection?
Well humans have survived for a long time. Diseases have existed for longer. Humans certainly experience a longer life expectancy now. But, we have also created fresh new virus strains for ourselves to fight. With increasing dependencies on chemistry to solve our biology, we face lower tolerance to the nature. Dust causes havoc on our sinuses. Processed food creates barriers in our kidneys. We can’t forget the greatest co-conspirators of all time: Sugar and Salt. One threatens with the Diabetes rifle and the other intimidates with the Blood Pressure shotgun; talk about can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em.
There is a whole market segment that pushes protein for wellness while another segment goes full in on organics. Don’t forget the notorious toddlers in the form of gluten free, vegan, no nut and allergen free foods. Personal opinion, I feel what we read in our textbooks as kids was one of the greatest life advice: “Balanced Diet”. We should’ve stopped there and lived by it.
Life certainly seemed simpler when our mothers were in charge of nutrition and not heavily invested ad campaigns. Protein powder gives 24gms of protein per scoop, great! I would’ve assumed just as much given the product’s name. But what do I do to help absorb and digest that protein; Where’s the fiber? The carbs? The essential fats and vitamins to regulate our routine? The ad campaigns do an amazing job at grabbing our attention toward the taste, look, and texture. They also focus on motivation while ensuring it masks our mother’s voice in our heads. The voice that managed a balanced diet everyday. Protein through pulses and dairy, fiber through leafy vegetables, taste with right amounts of salt and sugar. All from nature’s own backyard, no preservatives, clean, home cooked meals!
But then adulthood strikes and humans make their own mistakes before realizing essential life lessons. Almonds and walnuts won’t make you smarter; wisdom is earned through the bitter lessons of failure. Despite centuries of progress in extending lifespan and navigating new disease landscapes, one constant in the human aging experience persists. In my humble opinion, mothers are crucial in an individual’s healthy survival.
A close friend of mine recently fell sick. As I was speaking with her, I learnt something interesting. In most Indian households, falling sick can be dramatic. It can also be quite scary. There is a phenomenon I called the ‘First Wave’. When someone tells their mother that they are ill or they get to know you are ill, it is seldom received with concern or compassion. The First Wave is wrath, disappointment, and a thorough exploration of where to put the blame. This First Wave is hard, rough waters on both ends searching for an emotional stability. But what follows is nothing short of miraculous, all efforts are diverted to fix the broken body. Home remedies, medicines, love, compassion, care and all encompassing comfort. Medicines have side effects, homeopathy has questionable fix effectiveness and home remedies albeit great, take long and taste terrible. Mother’s care, comfort and love has it all, for the lack of a better word, mystical flair. Beautiful fix effectiveness, lightning recover to normalcy with a bonus of hope in the form of loving hugs!
So wrapping up, listen to your mothers, they know what they are about. They are the ultimate remedy to wellness!
Diamond Dogs 
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