What Do You Do When You’re Not Feeling Well?

Just like in other countries, Japan has its own set of traditional remedies for when you catch a cold or feel under the weather. Rather than heading straight to the doctor, people sometimes turn to home remedies using whatever is handy. (Though, of course, they don’t always work.)

In Japan, these folk remedies are sometimes referred to as “Oba-chan no chie” (Grandmother's wisdom), passed down through generations.

Here are a few examples you might find interesting.

Wrapping Green Onions Around Your Neck

This is probably the most famous one. When you have a cold, you wrap green onions around your neck.

There’s a bit of logic behind it: Green onions have a strong odor, which comes from a compound called allicin. Allicin is known for its antibacterial properties and can help relieve fatigue. By placing the onions near your mouth and nose, you can supposedly inhale the beneficial compounds and ease the symptoms of a cold.

I, personally, have never tried this myself.

Placing Umeboshi (Pickled Plum) on Your Temples

This remedy is used for headaches.
Umeboshi, the sour pickled plums, contain benzaldehyde, which is believed to help relieve pain and reduce discomfort.

Again, I’ve never tried it.

Interestingly, Japanese umeboshi makers warn that applying umeboshi to your temples could cause skin irritation, so they suggest doing it at your own risk. Haha.

梅干しが長時間皮膚と接触すると肌荒れを起こす可能性がありますので、梅干しをこめかみに貼る際は自己責任でお願いします。
※こめかみに貼らなくても、梅干しのにおいを嗅ぐことで同様の効果が得られます。

— (株)梅樹園 【公式】 (@Baijuen_Umebosi) January 30, 2023

Drinking Tamago-zake (Egg Sake)

Tamago-zake is a traditional drink used to treat colds in Japan.

The way it’s made can vary from household to household, but generally, it’s a mixture of warm sake and one egg. Some people add sugar or salt for extra flavor.

While I think fewer people make this nowadays, when I was a kid, my mom would often make it for me when I had a cold. (Just a note: The legal drinking age in Japan is 20, so this may not be the best remedy for kids!)

Get Well Soon!

In modern Japan, most people don’t try these traditional remedies. Instead, they tend to go straight to the doctor when they’re feeling unwell.

It’s common to hear a conversation like:

“I don’t feel so good…”
“Oh, you should go to the doctor!”

Even for a mild cold, people often visit the doctor to get medicine. It’s probably because they worry that something more serious might be lurking underneath the symptoms, so they want to be safe.

When you’re sick, the best thing to do is stay warm and rest at home.
And if that doesn’t help, then go to the doctor!