Every year people look forward to Summer, but for anyone who suffers from hayfever it can be a huge source of stress. Hayfever is typically at its worst between March and September, when it’s warm, humid and windy as this is when the pollen count is at its highest.

The most common symptoms of hayfever include sneezing, coughing, headaches, earaches, fatigue, a runny or blocked nose, red and watery eyes, itchy eyes mouth/nose/ears/throat, and even loss of smell.

There is no cure for hayfever, and it can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks. So, understandably sufferers try everything to alleviate their symptoms.

READ MORE: Met Office issues hay fever warning – but here are some things which could help

The Met Office is currently forecasting a “very high” pollen count for Wales for this week, with a “medium” to “high” count into next week. It’s believed that around 16 million people suffer from seasonal allergies.

In a bid to help you make the most out of your summer, experts at Russell Hobbs teamed up with Pharmacist, Abbas Kanani from Chemist Click to share their top tricks and tips to beat allergies.

The pollen count will be “very high” through the week
(Image: Met Office)

Their five top tips include:

Filter out airborne particles

Russell Hobbs air purifiers and even some of their vacuum cleaners have HEPA filters, meaning they capture 99.95% of particles in the air – leaving it incredibly clean and perfect for those suffering from allergies.

Air purifiers can filter out airborne particles up to 0.3 microns in size. Allergens such as dust, pollen and mould are effectively filtered, reducing the levels of irritants in the air you breathe, and the associated symptoms.

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Lower moisture levels

Mould and dust mites are some of the main causes of allergy-related symptoms. Dehumidifiers reduce moisture in the air, helping to decrease the build-up of mould. Moisture creates an environment in which dust mites thrive, so lowering the levels of moisture can help to reduce the build-up of these, leading to a happier, healthier and all-round less puffy-eyed and sneezy home.

Keep your home tidy

Around 1 in 3 of us in the UK have some sort of an allergy*. Keeping your house and living space tidy reduces the risk of getting allergy-related symptoms. This is because symptoms are often triggered by mites, mould, and dust. Regular cleaning of all surfaces, including those hard-to-reach areas where dust can build up; steaming of curtains and cushions; and washing bedding regularly at a high temperature, can kill those pesky dust mites.

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Invest in a steam cleaner or mop

Steam mops and cleaners are underrated when it comes to preventing allergy symptoms. They effectively clean and disinfect areas – eliminating dust mites, chemicals, dirt and pollen build-ups in the home. They are able to clean obscure areas that a vacuum would have difficulty reaching, from the oven, to behind the bed, upholstery, furniture, and hard-to-reach corners of the house.

The steam also helps to loosen dirt in hard to reach areas, such as in between tiles, as well as hard-to-clean surfaces. The vapour produced by steam cleaners draws the allergens to the surface, helping to eliminate irritants. Steam also dries very quickly, meaning you don’t need to worry about residual dampness. Aside from helping to remove allergens, steam cleaners can also help to neutralise odours, whilst heat transfer helps to unlock particles that cause odour and release them into the air – just like the Russell Hobbs Steam & Clean Steam Mop.

Washing all your bedding

Washing sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least once a week in water heated to at least 60°C can ensure that all allergens are washed away. Not only will you benefit from that clean-bedding feeling, but you will ensure you’re tucked into fresh sheets with limited allergens trapped inside. Although hanging your sheets out on the washing line can be great for the environment, it can, however, allow outside allergens to attach to the sheets. Instead, you can avoid this by using a tumble dryer with a vented design.

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You can help your children develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. Because your children look up to you, you should set them a good example.

At the same time, helping your children live their best lives will undoubtedly make you think twice about some of your own habits, which could perhaps do with some redress and cure.

Attitude

A positive attitude will contribute to your well-being throughout life and help your children become more resilient. Help your children develop positive attitudes by encouraging them to do what they can instead of always telling them what they can’t.

Make a point of celebrating their successes, but don’t make them feel they are only good enough if they are top of the class or play for the first team. Most people can be perfectly contented and well-adjusted with average effort and results.

Screen time

Modern children are often exposed to digital media from computers, play stations, smartphones, tablets and television throughout the day. The problem is that too much digital media results in a sedentary lifestyle and critical social interactions are not learnt. Also, children who spend the majority of their time in front of a screen don’t get into the habit of regular exercise and many experience difficulty sleeping.

You can teach them to use screen time in a healthy way that can improve their lives. Limit the time they spend on digital media and instead substitute it with other activities.

• Reading with your children every day from babyhood helps connections form in their young brains. These build language, literacy and social-emotional skills essential in childhood development.
• Introduce your children to a range of physical activities – from swimming to hiking and ball sports like tennis and lawn cricket – and enjoy them together as a family. Not all children like the same activities, but you are sure to find some most will enjoy.
• If you have trouble motivating them, try simple toys like skipping ropes or inflatable beach balls, and choose different locations so that they don’t get bored with the backyard. Public parks and playgrounds, sports fields and swimming pools or the beach are good options.

Food

Filling their plates with brightly coloured foods translates into a high nutritional value with many health benefits – especially when the foods are in season. Start early with vegetables and fruits, brimming with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Avoid sugar-laden fruit and vegetable juices and soft drinks.

Eating a balanced breakfast with protein, carbohydrates, and fats is a good way for your children and you to start the day. Instead of opening a box of sugar-coated breakfast cereal, try the following:

• Muesli or granola with double-cream yoghurt and sliced banana.
• Hard-boiled eggs, toast and an apple.
• Peanut butter, honey and cheese on whole-grain bread or toast.

Teach your child about nutrition by encouraging them to read the food labels on their favourite packaged snacks. Focus on the amount of sugar, saturated fat, energy (kilojoules) and serving size. Food labels have the ingredients listed in descending order by amount. So, for instance, if sugar is the first ingredient listed, the snack contains more sugar than any other ingredient.

Money

Teach your children the importance of managing their money, starting with the idea of earning their own money rather than just giving to them. For example, instead of handing out money for doing nothing, you should pay them for the chores done around the house like cleaning their rooms, washing dishes, setting the table or mowing the lawn.

Once they are familiar with earning money, you can teach them how to save, share and spend wisely.

Consistency

The key to helping children adopt healthy habits is consistency in what you say and do, and it’s important for them to see that you follow your own advice. Children tend to copy what you do, so if it’s evident to them that you care about your health, they’re likely to follow your example.

It’s up to you to teach your children the habits they need to live happy, healthy lives. Some of these can last a lifetime.

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Originally Appeared Here

You can help your children develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. Because your children look up to you, you should set them a good example.

At the same time, helping your children live their best lives will undoubtedly make you think twice about some of your own habits, which could perhaps do with some redress and cure.

Attitude

A positive attitude will contribute to your well-being throughout life and help your children become more resilient. Help your children develop positive attitudes by encouraging them to do what they can instead of always telling them what they can’t.

Make a point of celebrating their successes, but don’t make them feel they are only good enough if they are top of the class or play for the first team. Most people can be perfectly contented and well-adjusted with average effort and results.

Screen time

Modern children are often exposed to digital media from computers, play stations, smartphones, tablets and television throughout the day. The problem is that too much digital media results in a sedentary lifestyle and critical social interactions are not learnt. Also, children who spend the majority of their time in front of a screen don’t get into the habit of regular exercise and many experience difficulty sleeping.

You can teach them to use screen time in a healthy way that can improve their lives. Limit the time they spend on digital media and instead substitute it with other activities.

• Reading with your children every day from babyhood helps connections form in their young brains. These build language, literacy and social-emotional skills essential in childhood development.
• Introduce your children to a range of physical activities – from swimming to hiking and ball sports like tennis and lawn cricket – and enjoy them together as a family. Not all children like the same activities, but you are sure to find some most will enjoy.
• If you have trouble motivating them, try simple toys like skipping ropes or inflatable beach balls, and choose different locations so that they don’t get bored with the backyard. Public parks and playgrounds, sports fields and swimming pools or the beach are good options.

Food

Filling their plates with brightly coloured foods translates into a high nutritional value with many health benefits – especially when the foods are in season. Start early with vegetables and fruits, brimming with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Avoid sugar-laden fruit and vegetable juices and soft drinks.

Eating a balanced breakfast with protein, carbohydrates, and fats is a good way for your children and you to start the day. Instead of opening a box of sugar-coated breakfast cereal, try the following:

• Muesli or granola with double-cream yoghurt and sliced banana.
• Hard-boiled eggs, toast and an apple.
• Peanut butter, honey and cheese on whole-grain bread or toast.

Teach your child about nutrition by encouraging them to read the food labels on their favourite packaged snacks. Focus on the amount of sugar, saturated fat, energy (kilojoules) and serving size. Food labels have the ingredients listed in descending order by amount. So, for instance, if sugar is the first ingredient listed, the snack contains more sugar than any other ingredient.

Money

Teach your children the importance of managing their money, starting with the idea of earning their own money rather than just giving to them. For example, instead of handing out money for doing nothing, you should pay them for the chores done around the house like cleaning their rooms, washing dishes, setting the table or mowing the lawn.

Once they are familiar with earning money, you can teach them how to save, share and spend wisely.

Consistency

The key to helping children adopt healthy habits is consistency in what you say and do, and it’s important for them to see that you follow your own advice. Children tend to copy what you do, so if it’s evident to them that you care about your health, they’re likely to follow your example.

It’s up to you to teach your children the habits they need to live happy, healthy lives. Some of these can last a lifetime.

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Originally Appeared Here

Featured Image for Fragrance Creators Association

Featured Image for Fragrance Creators Association

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fragrance Creators Association President & CEO Farah K. Ahmed issued the following statement after the House’s passage and President Biden’s approval of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, S. 3580:

“Fragrance Creators applauds the final passage and presidential signature on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA). We echo President Biden’s sentiments that this bill is a piece of a puzzle for addressing rising costs and inflation in the U.S. and were pleased to see his quick signature on the bill, making it law. We thank our diverse, 60+ member companies for empowering Fragrance Creators to play an active and integral role in the advancement of this legislation—directly engaging over 50 Congressional offices and indirectly targeting many more through widely distributed letters. 

“As an original endorser of the legislation, along with our allied trades, we are pleased to play an active role in advancing this important legislation designed to address shipping supply chain challenges that ultimately impact consumers in the form of increased prices and empty shelves.

“Fragrance is a critical input into myriad of finished products, including personal care, cleaning and disinfecting, and delay in fragrance supply has a ripple effect down the value chain. This is why Fragrance Creators is fully committed to supporting supplier diversity, a strong, adaptable, and resilient supply chain, and legislation, such as OSRA.

“The Shipping Act was last amended over 20 years ago. The industry has significantly changed since this last update and, because of that, we are facing longstanding, systemic supply chain and port disruption and congestion issues.  While they were in existence before 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has only served to amplify these challenges. OSRA helps to address both the longstanding issues as well as those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening the role of the Federal Maritime Commission to address practices like unreasonable demurrage and other charges, to fight other unreasonable business practices, and more.”

Story continues

###

Fragrance Creators Association is the principal fragrance trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators’ 60+ member companies are diverse, including large-, medium-, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. We are an active participant in IFRA and have a designated representative on the IFRA Board to help ensure the associations’ membership is represented in global discussions and the North American perspective is considered in global fragrance positions and policies. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance—www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org—for people, perfume, and the planet.

Contact: Katie Cross

[email protected]

+1 571 317 1500

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Blue shipping container with the Fragrance Creators’ logo (a multi-colored droplet) on it

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Originally Appeared Here

When purchasing plants, inspect them to make sure they are not rootbound or infested with pests. Before planting, gently break apart the root ball to allow the roots to spread. Water the seedlings before planting and again immediately after they go into the ground. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth.

After planting, apply a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and protect plants from drought.

Regularly inspect your plants for pest damage, and groom dead leaves or remove pests manually as needed. Keep your garden clean and free of any debris and weeds that might attract pests.

Disinfect your garden tools regularly by wiping, spraying, or dipping in isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar.

What I love the most about gardening is how peaceful it is. There is always something going on, so if you are observant, you can learn and be impressed by how nature works.

You can contact your county’s extension office or consult a gardening website for more gardening tips.

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Originally Appeared Here

You can help your children develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. Because your children look up to you, you should set them a good example.

At the same time, helping your children live their best lives will undoubtedly make you think twice about some of your own habits, which could perhaps do with some redress and cure.

Attitude

A positive attitude will contribute to your well-being throughout life and help your children become more resilient. Help your children develop positive attitudes by encouraging them to do what they can instead of always telling them what they can’t.

Make a point of celebrating their successes, but don’t make them feel they are only good enough if they are top of the class or play for the first team. Most people can be perfectly contented and well-adjusted with average effort and results.

Screen time

Modern children are often exposed to digital media from computers, play stations, smartphones, tablets and television throughout the day. The problem is that too much digital media results in a sedentary lifestyle and critical social interactions are not learnt. Also, children who spend the majority of their time in front of a screen don’t get into the habit of regular exercise and many experience difficulty sleeping.

You can teach them to use screen time in a healthy way that can improve their lives. Limit the time they spend on digital media and instead substitute it with other activities.

• Reading with your children every day from babyhood helps connections form in their young brains. These build language, literacy and social-emotional skills essential in childhood development.
• Introduce your children to a range of physical activities – from swimming to hiking and ball sports like tennis and lawn cricket – and enjoy them together as a family. Not all children like the same activities, but you are sure to find some most will enjoy.
• If you have trouble motivating them, try simple toys like skipping ropes or inflatable beach balls, and choose different locations so that they don’t get bored with the backyard. Public parks and playgrounds, sports fields and swimming pools or the beach are good options.

Food

Filling their plates with brightly coloured foods translates into a high nutritional value with many health benefits – especially when the foods are in season. Start early with vegetables and fruits, brimming with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Avoid sugar-laden fruit and vegetable juices and soft drinks.

Eating a balanced breakfast with protein, carbohydrates, and fats is a good way for your children and you to start the day. Instead of opening a box of sugar-coated breakfast cereal, try the following:

• Muesli or granola with double-cream yoghurt and sliced banana.
• Hard-boiled eggs, toast and an apple.
• Peanut butter, honey and cheese on whole-grain bread or toast.

Teach your child about nutrition by encouraging them to read the food labels on their favourite packaged snacks. Focus on the amount of sugar, saturated fat, energy (kilojoules) and serving size. Food labels have the ingredients listed in descending order by amount. So, for instance, if sugar is the first ingredient listed, the snack contains more sugar than any other ingredient.

Money

Teach your children the importance of managing their money, starting with the idea of earning their own money rather than just giving to them. For example, instead of handing out money for doing nothing, you should pay them for the chores done around the house like cleaning their rooms, washing dishes, setting the table or mowing the lawn.

Once they are familiar with earning money, you can teach them how to save, share and spend wisely.

Consistency

The key to helping children adopt healthy habits is consistency in what you say and do, and it’s important for them to see that you follow your own advice. Children tend to copy what you do, so if it’s evident to them that you care about your health, they’re likely to follow your example.

It’s up to you to teach your children the habits they need to live happy, healthy lives. Some of these can last a lifetime.

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Originally Appeared Here

Pour lemon wedges into a bowl of water and put it in the microwave.

Turn the microwave on for two to three minutes at maximum heat.

Leave the microwave door closed for a few minutes after it has been switched off to prevent all the steam from escaping.

Finally, wipe the inside of the microwave with a cotton cloth.

The same hack can be used in the oven too for 20 minutes on 200C.

Just ensure you use a oven-proof dish instead of a bowl.

Lemons can also be used to clean dishwashers overnight.

Put squeezed lemon in a bowl in an empty dishwasher overnight – it will make it smell fresh with little effort.

Lemons can be used to disinfect wooden chopping boards.

Rub a sliced lemon on a chopping board to remove stains and bacteria from the surface.

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Originally Appeared Here

You can help your children develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. Because your children look up to you, you should set them a good example.

At the same time, helping your children live their best lives will undoubtedly make you think twice about some of your own habits, which could perhaps do with some redress and cure.

Attitude

A positive attitude will contribute to your well-being throughout life and help your children become more resilient. Help your children develop positive attitudes by encouraging them to do what they can instead of always telling them what they can’t.

Make a point of celebrating their successes, but don’t make them feel they are only good enough if they are top of the class or play for the first team. Most people can be perfectly contented and well-adjusted with average effort and results.

Screen time

Modern children are often exposed to digital media from computers, play stations, smartphones, tablets and television throughout the day. The problem is that too much digital media results in a sedentary lifestyle and critical social interactions are not learnt. Also, children who spend the majority of their time in front of a screen don’t get into the habit of regular exercise and many experience difficulty sleeping.

You can teach them to use screen time in a healthy way that can improve their lives. Limit the time they spend on digital media and instead substitute it with other activities.

• Reading with your children every day from babyhood helps connections form in their young brains. These build language, literacy and social-emotional skills essential in childhood development.
• Introduce your children to a range of physical activities – from swimming to hiking and ball sports like tennis and lawn cricket – and enjoy them together as a family. Not all children like the same activities, but you are sure to find some most will enjoy.
• If you have trouble motivating them, try simple toys like skipping ropes or inflatable beach balls, and choose different locations so that they don’t get bored with the backyard. Public parks and playgrounds, sports fields and swimming pools or the beach are good options.

Food

Filling their plates with brightly coloured foods translates into a high nutritional value with many health benefits – especially when the foods are in season. Start early with vegetables and fruits, brimming with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Avoid sugar-laden fruit and vegetable juices and soft drinks.

Eating a balanced breakfast with protein, carbohydrates, and fats is a good way for your children and you to start the day. Instead of opening a box of sugar-coated breakfast cereal, try the following:

• Muesli or granola with double-cream yoghurt and sliced banana.
• Hard-boiled eggs, toast and an apple.
• Peanut butter, honey and cheese on whole-grain bread or toast.

Teach your child about nutrition by encouraging them to read the food labels on their favourite packaged snacks. Focus on the amount of sugar, saturated fat, energy (kilojoules) and serving size. Food labels have the ingredients listed in descending order by amount. So, for instance, if sugar is the first ingredient listed, the snack contains more sugar than any other ingredient.

Money

Teach your children the importance of managing their money, starting with the idea of earning their own money rather than just giving to them. For example, instead of handing out money for doing nothing, you should pay them for the chores done around the house like cleaning their rooms, washing dishes, setting the table or mowing the lawn.

Once they are familiar with earning money, you can teach them how to save, share and spend wisely.

Consistency

The key to helping children adopt healthy habits is consistency in what you say and do, and it’s important for them to see that you follow your own advice. Children tend to copy what you do, so if it’s evident to them that you care about your health, they’re likely to follow your example.

It’s up to you to teach your children the habits they need to live happy, healthy lives. Some of these can last a lifetime.

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Originally Appeared Here

By Serenitie Wang, CNN

When I left a Covid-ravaged Hong Kong, I was in search of a sanctuary.

It was early March and the city was in the throes of the biggest coronavirus outbreak per capita in the world.

Little could I have known as I boarded the plane that my cunning escape plan would take me from the frying pan into the fire; that as I landed in Shanghai I would be swapping the world’s biggest outbreak for the “world’s strictest lockdown” — and 70 days of enforced confinement.

Still less could I have foreseen that, after serving three weeks of government-mandated quarantine on arrival, my housing compound would be hermetically sealed for a further 49 days straight, or that my mom and I would catch Covid, or that I would be carted off for a further spell of isolation at one of the government’s notorious “fangcang” camps.

And if you’d told me then that it would be under the glaring strip lights of one of those “fangcang” camps, amid the whiff of dubious makeshift toilets and the dirty laundry of thousands of strangers, that I would have an epiphany about the joys of communal living and the mental health benefits of enforced breaks, well … then I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

But let me back up and explain.

At the time I boarded the plane, the siren song of Shanghai — my hometown — seemed hard to resist.

In Hong Kong, Omicron was running amok, but in Shanghai cases were still in the single digits and with China’s iron-fisted approach to infections it seemed reasonable to think things would stay that way.

That was my first mistake.

Keep calm and quarantine

During my three-week quarantine on arrival, I watched in horror as the cases exploded.

And the longer I stayed inside, the higher the cases climbed.

By the time I was finally allowed out, I had one fleeting day of freedom then was forced back inside for a lockdown that would supposedly last just four days.

Nothing to worry about, I thought.

That was my second mistake.

In fact, the residential compound where I was staying with my parents was about to be sealed off for the best part of two months as the virus worked its way through its 21 stories and 300 inhabitants.

Covid could seemingly pass between the floors and walls and the realization even the strongest measures couldn’t stop it was terrifying and shocking. Each time a single person tested positive, the lockdown was extended another 14 days.

Many of us responded by becoming model Chinese citizens, volunteering to disinfect the estate and help distribute food and essential goods — all of which had to be delivered — directly to people’s doors.

And the volunteers sanitized with a vengeance, lugging around 30-kilogram (66-pound) tubs of chemicals and donning full hazmat suits to douse in disinfectant every incoming package, every nook and cranny.

By the time they had finished, the building was so awash with chemicals that some of my neighbors’ touchscreen electronic door locks had corroded and stopped working.

This might have helped ease people’s nerves, but there’s little evidence it did anything to stop the virus spreading.

Twenty-four days into the lockdown, my mom — who like my dad and I had not set foot outside the apartment except for a mandatory test — saw the dreaded double line in her daily self-administered antigen test.

I waved goodbye to mom as the government workers hauled her off to one of the 288 schools that had been converted into isolation sites. The next day, I found I too had been infected.

Welcome to the jungle

Any hopes of seeing mom again were soon dashed as people were randomly assigned to different sites. I was bused to the National Exhibition and Conference Center, Shanghai’s largest quarantine facility — nicknamed the “lucky clover” due to its shape.

Once host to the world’s biggest auto show, it was converted into a makeshift Covid hospital with 50,000 beds, one of many public venues to have been repurposed into what Chinese refer to as “fangcang”.

Fangcang date back to the original Covid outbreak in Wuhan and are widely viewed by Chinese as a success story.

Somehow though, my arrival felt less than auspicious.

The second I stepped into my designated hall — one half of a leaf of the four-leaf “lucky clover” — I was overwhelmed.

A sea of what looked like oversized baby cots and laundry hanging from the rafters stretched before my eyes.

“Welcome to the jungle,” I thought, as hoards of strangers dressed in their pajamas hustled and bustled around me, made all the scarier by my mental state, which had deteriorated from a lack of social interaction.

A nurse assigned me a cot, the previous occupant of which had kindly left behind a large yellow bag marked “medical waste.” Then I was handed a bag of my own, containing bedding, a plastic basin and a cup for washing, a toothbrush, toothpaste, towel and slippers.

It was only later that I discovered the true horror lurking behind the “lucky clover”: the toilets.

Do you feel lucky?

It is hard to describe the odor that results from thousands of people depending on dozens of portable squat toilets day after day.

Let’s just say that every visit to the washroom — a shady, stinking area covered by a giant tent on the edge of the clover — was a test of courage.

The constant booming of the plumbing system lent every visit a sinister feel. When you approached there would be long, snaking queues of people with tissue paper wrapped around their hands, all gingerly inspecting toilet cabin after cabin in doomed attempts to find one that might be hygienically acceptable.

It wasn’t the cleaning staff’s fault — simply the volume of people. The toilets would soil and the tissue bins fill and overflow far sooner than the staff could get to them.

The floor was always wet, which made balancing while squatting harder — especially as the cabin locks rarely worked, meaning one hand needed to be dedicated to fending off unwanted intruders.

Unfortunately, given the many gallons of water I was forcing down my throat in an effort to flush out the virus, I spent far more time here than I would have liked.

Then there was the problem of trying to sleep in a place where there is no darkness. Rows of ceiling lights stayed on throughout the night, so I took to wearing two face masks — one for my mouth and nose and one for my eyes.

Others struggled with the noise; the sound of thousands of people snoring, grinding their teeth, tossing and turning and groaning and grunting in their sleep gave this the feel of a safari.

That first night, it took me hours to fall asleep, only to be woken what felt like moments later by a loudspeaker blasting “please come take the PCR test” — at 6:00 am.

The lack of sleep was making things seem weird, but things were about to get weirder still.

Seeing the light

I was in an enormous room with 3,000 strangers, and I felt all alone. All I had was a tiny cot, a corner, a cabinet and a stool. The intense overhead lights left me feeling sterile, cold and exposed. It felt like a hospital, a bazaar and a maze all rolled into one.

That’s when something deep inside me stirred: memories of the communal living experiences I’d had as a child growing up in China.

As part of the state curriculum, city kids like me had been sent to countryside camps to learn how to farm and work on assembly lines. Part of the experience was sleeping on large, undivided platforms with little privacy. The living conditions were poor, but any discomfort was outweighed by the youthful excitement of having a sleepover with classmates.

My feelings of awkwardness in the “lucky clover” fell away. What I once viewed as embarrassingly intimate now felt like a pajama party.

Most people were just minding their own business, and something not entirely unlike “normal life” was continuing. People lounged on their cots, making calls with friends and family, scrolling on their phones and laughing at TikTok-style videos.

Even those separated from their loved ones did their best to stay positive. One couple across from my cot would video-call the 12-year-old daughter they had been forced to leave at home, alone. The mom would take her through meal-prep; the dad fielded math homework questions; and when she sobbed, they would comfort her.

But the brightest spot was the food. It was no feast, but having access to filling meals seemed fortuitous during such a strange time.

Normally, people from Shanghai are spoiled by the city’s vibrant food scene, but I was keenly aware that during this time of lockdown many people outside the “lucky clover” were genuinely scared of starving.

Within the clover, there was no need to scramble for groceries or make do with what came your way.

Breakfast meant congee, baozi (steamed buns), eggs and pickles. Lunch and dinner were hot, and even more generous — usually two main dishes with a choice of protein — shrimp and beef, chicken and pork, fish and chicken — and three sides of vegetables. Special menus were available for Muslims, diabetics and vegetarians.

Meals were rarely repeated and neither were the encouraging fortune-cookie style messages attached to the boxes.

“Go Shanghai!”, “Zero worries, endless happiness….” and “Life is always warm and bright. A stumble will be followed by further progress” were among my favorites.

I shared photos of my meals on social media, with many friends saying they wished they would get Covid just for the free food. They might have been joking, but I often saw people hoarding snacks — milk and fruit — and taking the goodies home when they finally left.

I soon realized, too, that for some of those around me, staying in the “lucky clover’ really was a piece of good fortune, a reprieve from the hectic non-stop hustle of a city of 25 million.

That’s when I met Mr. Sun.

He was a worker with a state-owned construction company who had ended up staying in the same fangcang that just weeks previously he had worked to repurpose. He told me that since March his job had felt like fighting a war as he and his fellow workers had been tasked with building fancang after fancang, day after day.

The nonstop work had left his shoulder buckled and hands calloused. Buried in work and toiling away he had lost track of time and was almost “relieved” to hear he had caught Covid.

“I could finally take a break,” he said.

‘Everyone will be scared of me’

Much as I tried, like Mr. Sun, to look on the bright side, it was hard to fully banish my mental anxiety.

My routine had become monotonous, I missed home, and felt icky from not having showered for days.

It was like I was trapped in a maze, barred from leaving despite feeling fine. Even at their height, my symptoms were only mild — fatigue and occasional coughing and sneezing — and that was a blessing as the little medical assistance that was on offer was largely pointless. Nurses were too busy to check on us and the most you could hope for were basic remedies like paracetamol, cough syrup, sleeping pills and traditional Chinese medicine.

Alas, there was no cure for Covid, or stubborn PCR test results. Days after my symptoms had disappeared I, like many others, would continue to test positive and remain stuck in limbo.

The release of the PCR test results was itself a scene every day.

Everyone’s name and results would be printed out and posted on a wall — much like how Chinese schools publicly release exam scores — and every day the large crowd poring over them would be a smorgasbord of emotions from joy and despair.

I learned that PCR tests are not black and white. At least five people I knew had their hopes of freedom dashed as their results oscillated between positive and negative.

Desperate to avoid the same fate, I would thoroughly rinse my nasal passage and throat with a saline solution before taking my daily test.

Whether it was the saline or fate, I tested negative on my seventh day — and after a follow-up test 24 hours later I was told to prepare for discharge.

Mr. Sun, the constructor worker, was told the same. But while I was excited, he seemed peaceful and contemplative. He told me he was concerned his neighbors might not allow him back in his compound. “I’m someone who tested positive. Everyone will be scared of me,” he said.

I tried to console him, saying the infection would have strengthened his immune system and he would be less likely to fall ill again. He smiled reluctantly and said he hoped the community would be equally understanding.

The next day, Mr. Sun was missing from the line of people to be discharged. The nurse couldn’t find him anywhere. I don’t know if he decided to stay or not.

Maybe what was a prison for many was actually a sanctuary for him.

The-CNN-Wire
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Editor’s Note: On leaving the camp, the author was able to secure a rare flight back to Hong Kong, departing Shanghai on May 20. Despite efforts beginning June 1 to “reopen” the city, life in Shanghai remains heavily restricted, with an increasing number of neighborhoods being placed back into full lockdown.

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Before the advent of formal medicine, people largely depended on herbal plant knowledge that has been passed through generations of families. From poultices for wounds and bruises to tinctures and concentrated oils for disease treatments, herbal medicine has been around since time immemorial. Ancient civilizations were known to have relied on the power of herbal medicines, with evidence pointing to herbal medicine being practiced by Sumerians and the Ancient Chinese. Because of the proven effect of herbal medicine, its practice has survived the test of time and is now still part of modern practices in the Philippines and around the world, with medicinal plants and herbs figuring largely in alternative medicine.

In the Philippines where herbal plant species abound, it is customary for Filipinos to use them in nursing minor sicknesses such as cough, colds, flu, infections, and other skin infections. Though there are still many Pinoys who still question the efficacy of these plants, medical research and studies have already acknowledged their value in the world of medicine. Following the establishment of the efficacy of these herbal medicines in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have released their recommended list of herbal plants found in the Philippines and the health benefits they provide, further concretizing the role of alternative medicine in medical practice.

In this article, we’ve compiled some of the most well-known herbal and medicinal plants in the Philippines, the conditions that they’ve been proven to be effective against, as well as their folk medicinal applications.

Philippine Herbal Medicine for Colds, Cough, and Fever

Lagundi

Among the medicinal uses and benefits of lagundi are to stop coughing, relieve asthma, facilitate the discharge of phlegm and lower fever due to colds or flu. It is also a pain reliever for headaches and toothache.

For cough, asthma and fever, here’s how to prepare lagundi leaves. Boil lagundi leaves in two glasses of water for at least 15 minutes. This boiled mixture is called among experts as “decoction.” To stop coughing, take ½ glass of decoction three times a day. In addition, drink at least eight glasses of water a day to further help loosen phlegm.

If you’re suffering from asthma, take 1/3 glass of decoction three times a day. However, if your asthma does not improve after one dose of the decoction or when the attack is severe, consult your physician right away.

For fever, take ½ glass of decoction every three hours, or as needed. To relieve headache, heat enough fresh lagundi leaves over a fire until slightly wilted. Then crush the leaves and apply the poultice to the forehead and temples. Bandage the leaves in place. Change the dressing every four hours when needed.

Ampalaya

A known antitussive and antipyretic, ampalaya leaf juice is known to assist the human body to clear viral infections that often lead to cough and colds. To use ampalaya to alleviate cough, grind and juice ampalaya leaves every day. Drink a spoonful of concentrated ampalaya leaf juice every day. However, if you’re planning on taking ampalaya as a treatment option when you’re pregnant, it’s best that you first ask for a health expert’s opinion.

Tawa-Tawa

Also known as gatas-gatas, tawa-tawa is a powerful herbal medicine that is used in the Philippines to treat viral infections, including colds and cough, and fever symptoms. Aside from its antiviral properties, tawa-tawa is also a well-known anti-bacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. To use this herb, you can boil its leaves and drink it as a tea to help relieve respiratory symptoms associated with cough and even asthma.

Sambong

Sambong is an effective antipyretic that can aid in lowering high temperatures brought on by fevers. To utilize sambong leaves, soak the leaves in cold water and wring them out. Place the leaves on clean cloths, and apply the cloths to the feverish person’s armpits and forehead.

Philippine Medicinal Plants for Arthritis and Gout

Sambong or Blumea camphor (Blumea balsamifera)

Sambong is a medicinal herb that is well-known in the Philippines for its useful traits in treating kidney stones, wounds, and cuts. It can be helpful as well in healing rheumatism, colds, coughs, and acts as an anti-diarrhea and anti-spasmodic.

Patients with kidney problems are familiar with sambong, as it’s popular to carry diuretic treatment for hypertension. It also regulates uric acid in the body, making it a great preventive for gout.

To use sambong to ease arthritic pain, crush or grind sambong leaves into a paste and directly apply it to your sore joints and muscles.

Yerba buena Ppy2010ha | Dreamstime.com

Yerba Buena

Relieve arthritis pain with Yerba Buena’s anti-inflammatory properties. Heat fresh Yerba Buena leaves over a fire, then pound them into a rough paste. While still warm, apply the poultice to your affected joints. Tie a bandage around over the Yerba Buena leaf pastes, and change the dressing every four hours or as needed.

Pansit-Pansitan

Scientific studies have shown the efficacy of pansit-pansitan as a conjunct treatment for arthritic pain, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic characteristics. Aside from these, this herbal plant from the Philippines is also able to keep uric acid in balance, thus lowering the chances of gout development.

To use this plant, you can either add it to salads or cook it with other vegetables, or you can drink it as pansit-pansitan tea. Brew your own pansit-pansitan tea by gathering fresh leaves and boiling them for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the concoction and drink half a cup of this tea 3 times a day.

Philippine Herbal Medicine for Diarrhea

Tsaang-Gubat

Also called kalabonog, maramara, semente and buyo-buyo, tsaang-gubat is a Philippine herbal plant that may be utilized to treat diarrhea or LBM (loose bowel movement). To treat LBM using tsaang-gubat, boil dried or fresh leaves in two glasses of water for 15 minutes. Let cool, then strain and divide into four parts. Drink one part every two hours (until stool becomes solid).

Lagundi

While Lagundi leaves are known to alleviate cough symptoms, the plant’s flowers may also play an important role in easing diarrhea symptoms. To use Lagundi to stop loose bowel movement, extract the juices of the Lagundi flowers and take the extracts until your diarrhea symptoms are eased.

Niyog-Niyogan

Also known as the Rangoon Creeper, Niyog-niyogan offers numerous benefits, including working as an effective remedy for diarrhea and loose bowel movement. To use this Philippine medicinal plant, harvest its ripe fruits and roast them. Take them internally until your symptoms subside. This plant may also aid in expelling intestinal parasites and worms. Get dried niyog-niyogan seeds and take 4 to 7 seeds orally.

Sambong

If you’re looking for a natural and calming remedy for diarrhea, sambong tea is a good choice. Used to help bulk up stool and treat stomach cramps and spasms, sambong tea can be prepared by gathering fresh sambong leaves and steeping them in hot water for 10 minutes. Drink up to 4 glasses of sambong tea a day and wait for your symptoms to be alleviated.

Philippine Medicinal Plants for Skin Diseases and Wound Healing

Tsaang-Gubat

Tsaang-gubat is a versatile plant that can treat numerous conditions, depending on how it is prepared. Because it boasts anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, this Philippine herbal plant can help promote wound healing and shorten the healing time. To use this herb, pound tsaang-gubat leaves and boil them for about 10 to 15 minutes. Use the cooled-down tea to clean and disinfect the wound periodically.

Bayabas

Known for their antiseptic properties, bayabas leaves have been used since time immemorial to treat wounds and cure bacterial infections. To create an astringent and antibacterial wash out of this Philippine herbal plant, boil clean leaves for 8 to 10 minutes and let cool. Wash the affected area with the bayabas “tea” 2 to 3 times a day until the wound is completely healed.

Other Uses for Herbal Plants in the Philippines

Aside from the conditions and disorders mentioned above that herbal medicine may effectively treat, there are also other uses that herbal plants have. These include purposes for daily hygiene as well as for nutritional supplementation. Here are a few of the other uses of some traditional Filipino herbal plants:

• As a mouthwash. Aside from being an aid for alleviating arthritis and gout, Yerba Buena is an herbal plant in the Philippines that’s also used as a mouth wash to keep your breath fresh and your mouth clean. Surprisingly, Tsaang-Gubat shares this function with Yerba Buena, thanks to its antibacterial properties, which may slow down odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
• As a lactation aid for breastfeeding mothers. Also known as the miracle tree, malunggay is a popular herb thanks to the sheer concentration of nutrients in its leaves. In addition to its role in nutrition boosts, malunggay is also popular for breastfeeding mothers, thanks to its ability to improve breastmilk production – making it one of the most well-known galactogogue in Asia.
• As a dengue fever aid. As a tropical country, one of the leading disease burdens of the Philippines is dengue. In 2014, the Department of Health promoted Tawa-Tawa or the asthma plant as an effective treatment for dengue fever, thanks to its ability to increase platelet count. Today, Tawa-tawa is considered a valuable herbal medicine in the Philippines as it helps patients recover from dengue faster.
• As a toothache remedy. In addition to its ability to alleviate cough, Lagundi may also be used to ease toothaches. Let the patient drink a ½ glass of Lagundi decoction every three hours until the pain is abated.

There are hundreds of home remedies, thousands maybe from our grasses, plants, bushes, shrubs and trees. Some time ago, we read that a Chinese scientist compiled herbal plants in China and his list ran close to 6,000 to 7,700. Our very own, the late Filipino scientist Eduardo Quisumbing, had a book on medicinal plants and trees. It has been reprinted and is now sold in bookstores.

This means that while this list includes some of the herbal plants in the Philippines deemed effective by both the Philippine’s Department of Health and Department of Science and Technology, the country is gifted with hundreds more of medicinal plants that people can utilize for a more natural way of treating minor ailments and health problems. Together with modern technology and medical practice, alternative medicine can not only help prolong life, but it can also improve quality of life as well as general healthcare.

Image credits: Wasana Jaigunta | Dreamstime.com, Ppy2010ha | Dreamstime.com

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