Stings, an Old, Tried Canadian Remedy for

“For the bee sting I put soda on and dampen it with honey.” An old-time remedy and seems to do the work. Soda is an antiseptic and cleansing remedy. If no honey at hand, dampen soda with water.

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

Oak Poison, Gunpowder and Lard for

“Mix small quantity of gunpowder and lard and apply. One application cured me.” This is an old, tried, standard remedy.

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

Snake Bites, Simple Poultice for

“Poultice of hops or salt and grease; grease is to keep salt together. Hops are always kept to be used in berry season.” As a poultice it draws the poison out.

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

Conserve of Sage

Take new flowers of Sage one pound, sugar one pound; so beat them together very small in a Marble Mortar, put them in a vessell well glassed and steeped, set them in the Sun, stir them daily; it will last one year.

The Vertues

It is good in all cold hurts of the brain, it refresheth the Stomach, it openeth obstructions and takes away superfluous and hurtfull humours from the stomach.

Source: A Queen’s Delight: Or, The Art of Preserving, Conserving and Candying, Nathaniel Brooke

Ruptures, Herb Remedy for

“Make a poultice of lobelia and stramonium leaves, equal parts, and apply to part, renewing as often as necessary.” This poultice acts by relaxing the muscles, but in severe cases no application will do any good and the doctor should be consulted.

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

Sore Eyes, Camphor and Breast Milk for

“When a tiny baby has sore eyes, add one-half drop of camphor to a teaspoonful of breast milk; bathe the eyes several times a day.” Breast milk alone applied to the eyes of an infant is very healing, but the addition of camphor improves it.

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

Finger Nail Powder, Old Tried Remedy for

“Violet Talcum Powder 1/2 ounce
Pulverized Boric Acid 1/2 ounce
Powdered Starch 1/2 ounce
Tincture of Carmine 15 drops

If the nails become hard or brittle, immerse them in warm olive oil every
night or rub vaselin into them.”

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

Sweating, to Cause

“Wet flannel cloth in vinegar, lay it on a hot soapstone and wrap in cloth. Take it to bed and you will sweat.” This creates a steam and of course will produce sweating very quickly.

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

Earache, Fresh Warm Milk for

“The warm milk from a cow will cure earache and has also been known to cure deafness.” While still warm from the cow drop a little in the ear.

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

Stye, Common Tea Leaves for

“After steeping tea gather out a small handful of the steeped leaves, lay them in a cloth as you would any poultice, and apply warm over the stye.” It is the tannin in the tea that cures the stye, although clear tannin bought at the drug store does not seem to do the work as well. Black tea may be preferable.

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