Here are some "mom-prescribed" remedies that have helped us during our India visit recently. These might be useful for Indian families since we can easily get most of the ingredients from Indian stores:
1. Stomach problems: Take a spoon of Asafoetida powder (Hing, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asafoetida), spoon of Carrom Seeds powder (Ajwain, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachyspermum_ammi), spoon of Garlic powder and 2 pinches black salt (Kaala namak). Mix them and have the mixture with minimum water. The mixture would be quite dry to eat but very effective.
2. Sore throat with cough: Mix ginger juice (1 spoon) with honey (1 spoons) and black pepper powder (as you like). Warm it for 10-15 seconds and have it, once or two times a day for quick results in 2-3 days.
3. Bruise (especially when it is dry): Heat Mustard oil (Sarson oil) in a pan. Add Turmeric powder (haldi) to it and clove of Garlic. Apply the warm oil (not hot, but lukewarm) on the bruise. Indeed effective.
These remedies seem to be a trouble to prepare but they are so effective that I would definitely prefer them over medication.
