Sores and Ulcers, the Potato Lotion for

“Take the water you boil potatoes in and in one quart of it boil one ounce of foxglove leaves for ten minutes, then add one ounce tincture of myrrh to the lotion, bathe the affected parts with the lotion warm, then keep a cloth wet with it on the sore, if possible, until cured.”

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

Treacle Posset (I)

2 tablespoons treacle
1 lemon
1 pint milk

Heat the milk until near boiling point, then add the treacle and lemon juice. Boil slowly until the curds separate, strain and serve hot as a remedy for a cold.

Source: Home Made Wines, Syrups and Cordials, The National Federation of Women’s Institutes

Carbuncle, the Common Scabious for

“Take scabious, the green herb and bruise it. Apply this to the affected part. This has been found a very effectual remedy.” The common field scabious have many hairy, soft, whitish green leaves, some of which are very small and rough on the edges, others have hairy green leaves deeply and finely divided and branched a little. Flowers size of small walnut and composed of many little ones. Sometimes called “Morning Bride,” “Devil’s Bit,” etc.

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

Pneumonia, Herb Tea and Poultice for

“Congestion of the lungs. One ounce of each of the following, slippery elm bark, crushed thyme, coltsfoot flowers, hyssop or marshmallow. Simmer in two quarts of water down to three pints; strain and add one teaspoonful of cayenne. Dose:– Wineglassful every half hour. Apply hot bran poultices or chamomile scalded in vinegar, changing often until the violence of the symptoms abate. If the bowels are confined, give an injection of half pint of hot water in which one-half teaspoonful each of gum myrrh, turkey rhubarb and ginger powder have been well mixed. If possible give vapor bath. Apply hot stones or bottles to the feet.”

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

Constipation in Children, Prunes a Medicine for

“Abate heat and gently open the bowels by the use of prunes. These should be fed to children more often. This would often prevent sickness. A very useful way of administering prunes as a medicine is to simmer for one-half hour, a few in water enough to cover, with 1/2 oz. senna leaves; remove the prunes, allow to dry and let the child eat them when needed. This is very good.”

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

Cider Toddy for a Cold

1 glass dry cider
1/4 oz root ginger
1 dessertspoon honey
lemon peel

Heat the cider, bruised ginger and a twist of lemon peel in an aluminium, stainless steel or enamelled saucepan until bubbles just begin to rise in the liquid. Quickly remove from the heat, stir in the honey and strain into a warmed glass. This is excellent for drinking just before bedtime. Drinking it in bed and taking two aspirins is said to prevent a cold. Even if this is a false hope it certainly induces sleep.

Source: Home Made Wines, Syrups and Cordials, The National Federation of Women’s Institutes

News: Home Remedies

“At a time when federal advisories on drug risks and side effects are common and health-care costs often high, you might be tempted to turn to home remedies to treat your children.

Sometimes parents can soothe children’s symptoms just by using something from the pantry — perhaps learned from their mother or grandma.

“Each culture has its own little set of remedies that they use; it’s just part of the upbringing,” said Dr. Lynn Smitherman, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.”

Full story: The Courier-Journal, March 6th 2008

News: Folk Remedy To Suppress Hunger Makes A Comeback

“AN OLD Scots folk remedy for hunger could be making a comeback as a slimming aid, it was revealed yesterday.

Heath pea, or bitter vetch, was used in medieval times to suppress hunger when crops failed.”

Full story: Daily Record, March 6th 2008

Cough, Mullein Leaf Tea for

“Mullein leaves steeped with loaf sugar cures a cough.” Take four ounces of mullein leaves and boil for ten minutes in water: then add the loaf sugar. This is very soothing to the sore parts and also helps to loosen up the secretion so it can be raised easily.

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

Hiccough, Home Remedy to Stop

“Take nine swallows of cold water while holding the breath.”

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