Korean Home Remedies

No matter what season it is, cold and flu can strike at any time. When you are run down with sickness, you feel exhausted, unwell and sometimes achy. In worst cases, you may have to miss school or take time off work, and this can be very costly.

In Korea and many other Asian cultures, it is common to use home remedies to soothe and cure illness. Sometimes you can be put off usual food and drink, so here are some of the remedies that are used in Korea to battle sickness.

Ice Plum tea Korea by shootages, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Maesil-cha

Different sicknesses produce different symptoms. If you are feeling a sense of an unsettled stomach or are having digestion issues, it can leave you feeling very poorly.

Maesil-cha is a type of tea that is made from Korean plums; this fruit helps with fatigue, stomach problems and digestion. However, the tea uses either Korean plum jam or syrup (also known as cheong maesil) because the actual fruit is far too bitter to be consumed on its own.

Also, if you aren’t a big fan of hot drinks, don't worry because maesil-cha can be consumed both hot and cold.

Yuzu Tea

Whether you are already sick or would like to keep any illness at bay, yuzu tea is the perfect remedy. The recipe uses either a combination of yuzu fruit jam with water or you can create it by chopping the fruit and adding some honey to give the drink a sweeter taste.

If you have a sore throat, honey can be an excellent remedy for soothing the pain, and the traditional Westernised version of the cure is honey and lemon. However, a yuzu fruit contains far more vitamin C than lemons, and, therefore, it is slightly more beneficial.

Alternatively, if you would like to keep your health up and avoid illness, consuming this tea regularly can help to build your immune system. It can be consumed either hot or cold, and drinking it hot will help soothe a sore throat.

If you would like to make this tea yourself, yuzu fruit can be challenging to find, but yuzu jam is sold in most Asian supermarkets.

Bori-cha

If you are feeling run down or are experiencing some digestion problems, then bori-cha could be the best remedy for you. It is very simple to make as it is just roasted barley that is then boiled. If you would prefer the drink instantly and avoid the roasting process, you can purchase barley pre-roasted or buy it in the form of a teabag.

You can enjoy the tea both hot and cold; it makes for a lovely refreshing drink. As the barley contains high levels of fibre and melatonin, it can help to improve sleep, fix digestion issues and soothe any stomach pains.

For more ideas, take a look at our guide to Korean tea.

Ginseng

If you are looking to build your immune system and protect yourself from any potential illness, ginseng could be the answer to your prayers. As well as this, it can also reduce stress and also has anti-inflammatory properties. This ingredient packs plenty of goodness and is a multipurpose remedy.

You can find ginseng in many different forms, from tea bags to jams. So, however, you wish to consume it, you can reap the benefits.

If you prefer a sweet taste, it is recommended you opt for the jam, but if you enjoy a more intense flavour, the tea bags or root could be a better option.

Whether you are feeling under the weather, or you are looking for remedies to keep the colds and flu at bay, we hope you have found this information insightful. For more tips on how to boost your overall feeling, check out our blog on Japanese winter remedies.

If you wish to create some of these cures yourself, you find all the ingredients you need at Oriental Mart. As a Korean supermarket that is based online, we can offer ingredients and goods that can be challenging to come by in certain countries.

Take a look at our range today and explore the endless possibilities of Asian food you can create at home.