Culture and Kossu

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:11 am

Lately I ve been thinking about the Flu thats been going on in Finland!!
The last one ( still going on) was the stomach flu that affected both adults and kids..
and then wonder why it has not affected me at all!! ( I aint immune to this virus as I didnt have it before)
Is it so that the Kossu withstanding, drink-till-you-pass-out stomach of a regular Finn is susceptible to a mere Virus?
Considering the fact that an Average Finn doesnt eat much spices.. It kinda makes me wonder if this is the root cause of not able to withstand this Flu!!
( There have even been a few death cases this year with the elderly).
I ve read that the more spice you eat, the better off your immune system is ( nothing to do with antioxidants, rather to do with how the immune system fights the virus/bacteria)
Any thoughts?
Maybe its time for that famous mullagtawny ( pepper water as known by some ) soup.

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Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:56 am

Interesting theory raamv.

Chilliis are of course very high in vit C (antioxidant part), but also have antiseptic properties. They are good at killing e .coli if IRC.

RA · Post by RA » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:53 am

My mother eats a piece of fresh chilli everyday. Apparantely it keeps the bugs away. I don't know of scientific evidence behind this. But I know the only ailment she has is diabetes.
Ginger is supposed to be very good for the immune system too. I think. My mother has this mix of a drink she makes if you feel there's a flu coming on: crush fresh ginger and garlic together, pour hot water over it, strain and add honey. Tastes awful and it's very strong, but no flu.

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:44 pm

Karhunkoski wrote:Interesting theory raamv.

Chilliis are of course very high in vit C (antioxidant part), but also have antiseptic properties. They are good at killing e .coli if IRC.

Yes, but, if you eat more than a few...then the antiseptic turns into a nightmare!!

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:48 pm

RA wrote:My mother eats a piece of fresh chilli everyday. Apparantely it keeps the bugs away. I don't know of scientific evidence behind this. But I know the only ailment she has is diabetes.
Ginger is supposed to be very good for the immune system too. I think. My mother has this mix of a drink she makes if you feel there's a flu coming on: crush fresh ginger and garlic together, pour hot water over it, strain and add honey. Tastes awful and it's very strong, but no flu.

Similar Concotion used in India :1 spoon crushed ajwain+1 spoon crushed cumene( or fenkoli) and boil in water for few minutes.
Add fresh ginger for Flu/Cold,
Add a couple of crushed peppercorn for stomach indigestion or eating disorder(to make em eat).
But none of my family here touches this..

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:02 pm

Syö chiliä, se kasvattaa piliä.

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:14 pm

Just do not touch it to measure right after eating the chili.

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:46 pm

Tiwaz wrote:Just do not touch it to measure right after eating the chili.

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:50 pm

raamv wrote:
Tiwaz wrote:Just do not touch it to measure right after eating the chili.

I've heard horror stories about this... and been very careful myself... imagine, you're preparing some chillied food, and then suddenly you need to "go"... erm... touch the wrong body parts after handling hot chilles and you'll be 'entertained' for some time

With 'body parts' I mean eyes of course... what were you imagining...?

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:57 pm

Well that indicates 2 things:
Its only fresh chillis that cause this!! and that only for people with sensitive skin!!
and as for my imagination.. I dont let it wild with Chilli!!
I am always careful with fresh Chilli n hot stuff for fear of me putting or touching things that ma kids eat!!
Same things go on in Cultures like India. So wash hands before you dip!!

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:38 pm

raamv wrote:Its only fresh chillis that cause this!! and that only for people with sensitive skin!!

Hmm... if your John Thomas isn't in the "sensitive skin" category then what is?

But yes that probably is true, only after slicing fresh (not dried) chillies you can experience that burnin' sensation... in the eyes, or other parts of body.

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:19 am

Sammy, I am talking from the perspective of a person who is able to handle 1/4-1/2 regular bottle of Tabasco sauce at a time!!
and my kids can only handle bland!!

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:36 am

raamv wrote:Sammy, I am talking from the perspective of a person who is able to handle 1/4-1/2 regular bottle of Tabasco sauce at a time!!
and my kids can only handle bland!!

I know, but are you saying that if you accidentally rub fresh chili in your eyes - it has no effect on you? Your eyes do not start watering? At no point would I doubt that your ability to EAT chili is on a much more advanced level than mine... everything about me is bland

...but seriously, does that ability to withstand chili extend to eyes and -erm- other sensitive organs too...?

Another thing - only now I noticed you mentioned Mulligatawny soup

That brings distant memories since it must have been one of the first "Indian" recipes I ever tried preparing myself... the recipe, or presumably some variation of it, was included in this Finnish-Indian cookery book I bought years ago - books like that weren't so thick on the ground those days...! (It was printed in 1984...)

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:20 pm

sammy wrote:With 'body parts' I mean eyes of course... what were you imagining...?

I've usually picked my nose... *after* washing my hands that is...

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:23 pm

I had a few rub-ins in my eyes ..!! Not that bad if you know what to do immediately..

Once, I had a whole bottle of red chilli drop on my head N covered with Chilli powder..
Another instance was when I cutting chilli, it splashed some on my eyes!!

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