Mexican Culture: Curing a common cold

In a traditional household, when one comes up with a common cold, it is expected to see Dayquil, Nyquil, and chicken noddle soup, but in a Mexican household, we like to do things our own way.

When one gets sick with a common cold, known as la gripa in a Mexican household, you can expect to see abuelita coming out with socks, Vicks vapor rub, and a big ol' bowl of Caldo de Pollo.

Something else you can expect to see when you are feeling under the weather is an egg.

The egg is used in the Mexican culture to cure you, and take out all the negative energy, as abueltia used to say. The egg is rubbed in multiple areas of your body, such as your head, feet, and stomach, then cracked into a clear glass with water, and somehow you are magically cleared from everything.

The Vicks vapor rub is rubbed on your chest, feet, neck, and back. With this Mexican remedy, you can expect to smell minty and feel better within hours.

Caldo de Pollo is magic. The chicken broth does miracles, according to abuelita.

A shot of Tequila is also used in a Mexican household when feeling sick. The Tequila can help your throat feel better if you are suffering from a sore throat.

All these remedies may sound crazy, but they work, thanks to abuelita!