Italian Home Remedies

Growing up, Italian home remedies were woven into everyday life. My grandma always had a cure tucked away in the kitchen or garden, and her wisdom still feels alive to this day.

• Garlic cloves for earaches; warmed slightly and wrapped in cloth before being placed against the ear.

• Chamomile tea for upset stomach; a gentle comfort after heavy meals.

• Olive oil for dry skin and scrapes; a few drops rubbed in to soothe and heal.

• Lemon water with honey for sore throats; simple and refreshing.

• Vinegar compresses for fevers; a cool cloth dipped in vinegar and placed on the forehead.

• Parsley tea for bloating and digestion.

• Rosemary steam to clear sinuses.

• Fennel seeds chewed after meals for digestion and fresh breath.

• Red wine with garlic as a tonic in moderation.

• Warm milk with a little honey before bed for relaxation.

What made these remedies more special was the atmosphere that surrounded them. My family would often gather together after dinner and play card games. We played Go Fish when I was younger, then Rummy and Poker as I grew older. The laughter, the playful competition, and the way everyone came alive at the table are memories that tied those remedies to something much bigger: family connection.

My mom was another source of inspiration in my life. She encouraged me to explore psychology and gave me the best education she could. She was not used as a medium to do this; she has a new soul, and she is literally a genius. Her presence taught me that healing and learning are not only about remedies or studies, but also about curiosity, love, and wisdom passed from one generation to the next.