Remember the statement of Hippocrates that any remedy can become poison or medicine - it all depends only on the dosage? It has the most direct relation to vodka. In large quantities it is a poison, in lesser quantities - a relaxant, in minimal quantities - an effective medicine. Even very serious diseases can be successfully treated with tinctures of medicinal plants or propolis on vodka. Moreover, there are ways to apply it not only internally, but also externally - as rubbing and compresses. A vodka cough compress is especially helpful.
When vodka doesn't work
First of all, you need to understand that a vodka compress for an adult is not a cure for a disease, but only an auxiliary therapy. Since when applied externally, vodka has no effect on the causes that caused the cough. Therefore, vodka compress will be effective for colds in combination with other methods of therapy, in which the cough is cured from the inside.
There are only three main reasons that provoke the appearance of a cough: allergy, infection, and external irritants (mechanical or chemical). With an allergic cough, a vodka compress will definitely not help. In this case, you will have to use antihistamines, and then, as soon as possible, find the allergen and get rid of it.
If the cough is caused by non-infectious causes, then it will be possible to cure only by eliminating them. Such reasons may be smoke, strong odors, dust, debris or small foreign bodies getting into the throat.
In this case, a vodka compress can be used if prolonged exposure to an irritant has caused an inflammation of the throat. It will eliminate perspiration, relieve pain and have a calming effect.
Operating principle
An effective cough remedy is vodka compress at the initial stage of any respiratory disease or if a cough occurs with a cold. When used correctly, it has a powerful effect not only on the respiratory system, but also on the entire body:
- expands small capillaries;
- relieves spasms;
- improves blood circulation;
- soothes pain;
- relieves inflammation;
- disinfects;
- heats up deeply;
- eliminates puffiness.
Thanks to this effect, the coughing attack quickly passes, the bronchi dilate, breathing and sputum discharge are facilitated. That is why vodka compress so well helps with dry, unproductive chronic lingering cough, and can also significantly alleviate the condition of bronchial asthma.
Important rules
In order for the vodka compress to effectively help, it must be placed correctly and the necessary precautions must be taken:
It should be just vodka, not alcohol - its effect is milder, it does not cause irritation and skin burns.- The fabric used for the compress must be completely natural: cotton, linen or ordinary medical gauze.
- The area of the skin on which the compress will be placed must be intact: no scratches, cuts, irritations and redness.
- When installing on the chest, it is important to avoid the area of the heart - to place not in the center, but slightly to the right of it.
- Before applying the compress, the skin must be lubricated with a fat cream to protect it from irritation.
- It must be insulated by covering it with cellophane wrap and a folded terry towel.
- The procedure is best done at night, since you need to lie down quietly with a compress for at least two hours.
- If you decide to be treated with vodka in the daytime, then after the procedure you cannot go outside, especially in the cold season.
- When the compress is removed, wipe this place with a clean cloth and lubricate with moisturizer - vodka dries the skin.
It should be just vodka, not alcohol - its effect is milder, it does not cause irritation and skin burns.It is very important to remember that in no case is a vodka compress used for coughing if the patient's body temperature is above 37.2 0C. This can lead to overheating and a sharp increase in heat.
When the vodka compress is applied correctly, the patient feels a soft enveloping warmth that spreads throughout the body. In some cases, there is a chill. Then the procedure must be abandoned immediately. This means that the patient has a fever or a vascular spasm.
Technique for performing the procedure
Everything you need for the procedure must be prepared in advance. For her you will need:
about 100 ml of vodka;- oily hand or body cream;
- a piece of natural fabric;
- cellophane film is slightly larger than fabric;
- packaging of non-sterile cotton wool;
- wide bandage or scarf.
about 100 ml of vodka;Before installing the cough compress, it is good to lubricate the skin with a fat cream and wait a few minutes until it is absorbed and creates a protective film.
You can apply a compress on the chest, avoiding the heart area, or on the back. It is advisable to slightly warm the vodka, but not too much so that the alcohol does not evaporate. Soak a cloth in it and squeeze very well - it should remain damp, not wet. Apply to the desired area of the body and cover with cellophane wrap on top.
Now the compress must be properly insulated. To do this, fold cotton wool in several layers and put on cellophane. Press the cotton wool tightly with your palms to your chest - if the compress does not fit well to the skin, the patient will feel cold instead of warmth, and the procedure will not help. Fix the cotton wool with a wide bandage or scarf. Take cover warmly and lie quietly for 2-3 hours.
Sometimes applying a compress provokes increased sputum discharge. This is normal and should not be interrupted. It's just that when deeply warmed up, the accumulated mucus liquefies and clears up your throat more easily. It is better to prepare in advance and put on hand a few napkins and a thermos with green tea or herbal decoction so that you do not have to get up with a compress.
Honey-potato
A vodka compress with honey and potatoes is softer, but no less effective. It can even be left overnight, as the additional ingredients greatly mitigate the irritating effect of vodka on the skin. Such a cake not only deeply warms up the bronchi, but also successfully fights inflammatory processes. Therefore, with the permission of the doctor, it can be a good help in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and even pneumonia.
It is not difficult to prepare it. You will need 50 grams of vodka, 2 large potatoes, a tablespoon of honey. Boil potatoes with peel, peel and mash until puree. Add honey to warm potatoes, pour in vodka, mix everything well and put it in an even layer on cheesecloth. Then put it like a regular vodka compress. After the procedure, wipe the skin thoroughly with a napkin moistened with warm water. If you feel dryness or there is slight redness, you can lubricate with a soothing cream. The procedure should be repeated no more often than every other day. Contraindications, as for the usual vodka compress.
Warming up on the neck
With angina, laryngitis, pharyngitis and other diseases of the throat, it is advisable to put a vodka compress not on the chest, but on the neck. The technology and rules for its installation are the same as described above. But in this case, the compress covers the entire front of the neck to the jugular cavity, from above reaching the chin and capturing the cervical lymph nodes.
Although it is great for relieving inflammation and sore throat, due to the location with such a compress, you need to be very careful. In no case should it be set when:
- inflammation and / or enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- diseases of the thyroid gland;
- purulent sore throat;
- purulent otitis media;
- bleeding gums.
Therefore, before treating a cough in this way, it is better to coordinate your actions with your doctor.
You may not even be aware of malfunctions in the thyroid gland, and deep heating can provoke a sluggish chronic disease or accelerate the growth of nodes and other neoplasms, if they are present.
Contraindications
Such a simple and seemingly safe remedy like vodka also has some contraindications for use. Not everyone can put vodka compresses. Their use is categorically contraindicated for:
acute and purulent bronchitis;- chronic pleurisy;
- purulent sore throat;
- any oncological diseases;
- sinusitis and otitis media;
- any stage of tuberculosis;
- blood clotting disorder;
- serious cardiovascular disease;
- systemic diseases (hepatitis C, AIDS, lupus, etc.).
acute and purulent bronchitis;You should not combine vodka compresses with other heating procedures: UHF, Solux, electrophoresis, etc. Any damage to the skin at the site of the application of the compress, as well as skin diseases and neoplasms are also a contraindication to its use.
Pregnancy is not a direct contraindication to the use of vodka cough compress. But it is still better to consult a doctor. Vodka significantly improves blood circulation, and if the uterus is in good shape, especially in the early stages, there may be a threat of miscarriage.
People with hypersensitive skin and those prone to severe allergic reactions should also be careful. Remember that even as a medicine, vodka does not forgive a frivolous attitude towards oneself.
