Old Time Remedies

The remedies our ancestors used -- or, at least, were told to use! Folk remedies, old wives' tales, mediaeval cures... they're all here.

NOTE: these remedies are listed only for information and/or amusement. They are not to be construed as medical advice of any type, nor are they recommended for use. Consult your doctor for any medical advice you require.

 

Sunday, 30 November 2008

Bitters for Chronic Rheumatism

Prickly-ash berries, spikenard root, yellow poplar and dog-wood barks, of each 1/2 lb; all pulverized and put into a gallon jug, and fill it up with brandy. Dose -- A wine-glass of it is to be taken 3 times daily before meals.

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

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Sunday, 27 July 2008

Ague Mixture without Quinine

Mrs Wadsworth, a few miles south of this city, has been using the following Ague mixture over twenty years, curing, she says, more than forty cases without a failure. She takes:--

Mandrake root, fresh dug, and pounds it; then squeezes out the juice, to obtain 1 1/2 tablespoons, with which she mixes the same quantity of molasses, is dividing into 3 equal doses of 1 tablespoon each, to be given 2 hours apart, commencing so as to take all an hour before the chill.

It sickens and vomits some, but she says, it will scarcely ever need repeating. Then steep dog-wood bark (some call it box-wood), make it strong, and continue to drink it freely for a week or two, at least.

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

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Friday, 1 February 2008

Chills and Fever, Dogwood Known to be Good for

"Make a decoction of one ounce of dogwood root, boiled in one quart of water down to one pint; strain, and give half wineglassful every two or three hours." This remedy has been used by our grandmothers for many years, and is one to be depended upon. The dogwood root can be purchased at any drug store.

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

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Thursday, 24 January 2008

Ague and Fever, Dogwood Good for

"Take one ounce of dogwood root and one quart of water. Make an infusion by boiling down to one-half pint. Strain and give one-half wineglassful every two or three hours."

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

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