Kitridge's Salve

Bitter-sweet and sweet elder roots, of each 1 1/2 lbs; hop vines and leaves, and garden plantain, top and root, of each 1/2 lb; tobacco 1 three-cent plug. Boil all in rain water to get out the strength, then put the herbs in a thick cloth and press out the juice and boil down carefully to 1/2 pt; then add unsalted butter 1 lb; bees-wax and rosin, of each 1 oz, and simmer over a slow fire until the water is all out.

Source: Dr Chase's Recipes, or Information for Everybody, A.W. Chase

Itch Ointment

Unsalted butter 1 lb; Burgundy pitch 2 oz; spirits of turpentine 2 oz; red-precipitate, pulverized, 1 1/4 ozs; melt the pitch and add the butter, stirring well togethe; then remove from the fire, and when a little cool add the spirits of turpentine, and lastly the precipitate, and stir until cold.

This will cure all cases of psora, usually called "The Itch", and many other skin eruptions, as pimples, blotches, &c.

Source: Dr Chase's Recipes, or Information for Everybody, A.W. Chase

Toad Ointment

For sprains, strains, lame-back, rheumatism, caked breasts, caked udders, &c., &c.

Good sized live toads, 4 in number; put into boiling water and cook very soft; then take them out and boil the water down to 1/2 pt, and add fresh churned, unsalted butter 1lb, and simmer together; at the last add tincture of arnica 2 ozs.

This was obtained from an old Physician, who thought more of it than of any other prescription in his possession. Some persons might think it hard on toads, but you could not kill them quicker in any other way.

Source: Dr Chase's Recipes, or Information for Everybody, A.W. Chase

Lameness, Plantain Leaves and Cream for

"Make ointment from plantain leaves, simmered in sweet cream or fresh butter. This is very cooling."

Source: Mother's Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter

News: Home remedies passed down through generations

"Home remedies: We asked, and you answered.

It seems every family has one or two favorites. Many of them incorporate vinegar, salt, whiskey, Vicks VapoRub or honey. Some have been passed down for generations."

Full story: Utica Observer-Dispatch, 7th February 2008

News: Culinary curatives for chills, sniffles

"Feeling achy and feverish? Have a bowl of Mom's tom yum soup. Or maybe some warm milk with melted lamb fat.

Chicken soup may be the all-American cold and flu panacea, but around the world people turn to all manner of culinary curatives for the chills and sniffles."

Full story: London Free Press (Canada), 23rd January 2008

Colds, Molasses-Vinegar Syrup for

"One-half cup of molasses, butter the size of a hickory nut, one tablespoon vinegar, boil together. Dose: One teaspoonful or less as the case requires. Take often until relieved." This is an old remedy and a good one.

Source: Mother's Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter