Cordial for Diarrhoea

The best rhubarb root, pulverized, 1 oz; peppermint leaf 1 oz; capsicum 1/8 oz; cover with boiling water and steep thoroughly, strain, and add bi-carbonate of potash and essence of cinnamon, of each 1/2 oz; with brandy (or good whisky) equal in amount to the whole, and loaf sugar 4 oz.

Dose: For an adult, 1 to 2 tablespoons; for a child 1 to 2 teaspoons, from 3 to 6 times per day, until relief is obtained.

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

Rheumatic Alternative

In Rheumatism of long standing, the following preparation has often proved very valuable:

Colchicum seed, and black cohosh root, of each 1/2 oz, the root to be bruised; best rye whisky 1 pt; put together and let stand 3 or 4 days. Dose: from one tea-spoon to a table-spoon 3 times daily, before meals.

The action will be to loosen the bowels, or cause a little sickness at the stomach; and the dose may be modified not to cause too great an effect on the patient either way, but increasing the dose if necessary until one of these specific actions is felt, and lessening it if the action is too great in any case.

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

Vomiting, Spice Poultice to Stop

"Make a
poultice of one-half cup of flour and one teaspoonful of each kind of ground spice, wet with alcohol or whisky. Apply over the stomach." This acts as a counter irritant and has the same action on the system as a mustard plaster, only not so severe and can be left on for hours, as there need be no fear of blistering. This kind of a poultice should always be used when it is necessary to leave one on any length of time.

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

Cholera Morbus, Blackberry Cordial for

"Take a quantity of blackberries, strain out all of the juice. To each pint of juice add a pint of sugar. Then put in a little bag or cloth one-half ounce of cinnamon, one-fourth ounce of mace, two teaspoonfuls of cloves. Place this little bag with spices in the berry juice and boil for about two minutes, after which remove bag of spices and add one large cup of brandy or whisky to each pint of juice."

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

Rheumatism, Three Things that Will Help

"Best Rye Whisky 2 pints
Ground Burdock Seed 1/2 pound
Poke Berry Juice 1/2 pint

Mix, shake well before using.

Dose for adults, one and one-half or two tablespoonfuls night and morning." In severe cases take three times a day. This is a thoroughly tried remedy and is a very successful one.

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

Poor Circulation, Alcohol Rub for

"Rub vigorously night and morning with good whisky. Don't stop for a week or so after patient looks and feels well." Rubbing with alcohol would probably be preferred.

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

Stomach Trouble, Spice Poultice for

"Take all kinds of ground spices and make a poultice. Heat whisky and wet the poultice with it, then apply to the stomach and bowels." This will always give relief. Wetting the poultice with whisky will be found very beneficial as it will retain the heat longer.

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

Cough, Reliable Mixture in Severe Cases

"Oil of Anise 1/2 ounce
Syrup of Balsam of Tolu 1/2 ounce
Black Stick Licorice 1/2 ounce
Best Rye Whisky 1 pint

Shake well before using. Dose:-- One teaspoonful at intervals of one hour or oftener; if cough is very bad."

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

Colds, Rock Candy Syrup for

"Ten cents worth of rock candy; one pint of whisky; one pint of water; fifteen cents worth of glycerine; mix all together; this will syrup itself." Take one teaspoonful as often as necessary. This is excellent.

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

News: Remember days of home remedies?

"Modern medicine could be spelled m-i-r-a-c-l-e, and I wouldn't object. It seems that even as more and more unbelievable strides are made, the gains come even faster and faster.

I still marvel at the progress of medicine even in my lifetime. When I was a kid, medicine had not stumbled much beyond home remedies, some of which worked, and some didn't."

Full story: Beaumont Journal, 13th February 2008

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

Chills and Fever, Peruvian Bark and Rhubarb for

"Pure Rye Whisky 4 ounces
Pulverized Peruvian Bark 1 dram
Pulverized Rhubarb 1 ounce

Mix.

Put in bottles. Dose for adults:-- One tablespoonful three times a day. This is an excellent remedy."

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

Round and Pin Worms, Tansy remedy for

"Tansy leaves may be crushed and put in whisky or dried and crushed with sugar. This is the best vermifuge I ever used." A tea made of tansy leaves must be used carefully as it is strong and never given to pregnant women.

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

Erysipelas, Cranberry Poultice for

"Take cranberries and stew them and make a poultice of them." This is a remedy that cannot be beaten for this disease. It gives relief in a very short time and saves the patient a great deal of suffering. If the whisky is used to wet the poultice it is much better, as it keeps the poultice moist longer. All that is necessary is simply to put on more whisky and it will not be necessary to change the poultice so often.

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

Bronchitis, Grandmother's Remedy for

"Hoarhound 5 cents worth
Hops 5 cents worth
Wild cherry bark 5 cents worth
Licorice root 5 cents worth

"Boil and simmer altogether in two quarts of water long enough to get the strength out of the ingredients, strain, add three cups sugar, then add enough good whisky to keep from souring, say a half pint." This combination is not only good for bronchitis, but for the cough left from the effects of bronchitis. The hoarhound, wild cherry bark and licorice root have a very soothing effect on the bronchial tubes, and the hops quiets the nervous system. This is also good for a common cough.

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

Baldness

"A first class hair restorative is made of sage tea and whisky in equal parts with a dash of quinine in the bottle."

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

Definition: Aqua Vitae, Ardent Spirit

Aqua Vitae or Ardent Spirit generally signifies a strong distilled spirit, most usually brandy or whisky.