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

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

Wash for the Hair

Half an ounce of glycerine; half an ounce of spirit of rosemary; five ounces of water.

To be well mixed together and shaken, and used night and morning.

Source: Warne’s Model Cookery and Housekeeping Book, Mary Jewry

Erysipelas, Soda Wash for

“Put about a tablespoonful of baking soda in one pint of water and bathe parts several times a day,” This is an extremely simple remedy for such a serious disease, but has been known to do good in many cases. The baking soda is soothing.

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

Colds, Quinine and Ginger for

“Give plenty of quinine and drink hot water with ginger in it.” Quinine, as we all know, is an old remedy for colds and therefore we all know how it acts. The ginger warms up the system and produces sweating. Care should be taken when using this remedy not to take cold, as the pores are all opened by the quinine.

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

Castor Oil Pomade for the Hair

Four ounces of castor oil; two ounces of prepared lard; two drachms of white wax; essence of jessamine, or otto of rose.

Melt the fat together, and when well mixed, and becoming cool, add whatever scent you prefer, and stir it constantly until cold; then put it into pots or bottles for use.

Source: Warne’s Model Cookery and Housekeeping Book, Mary Jewry

Lungs, Mullein for Congestion

“The mullein leaves may be purchased at any drug store or gathered in the fields. Make a tea of the leaves by steeping them. Add enough water to one tablespoon mullein to make a pint, which will be three doses, taken three times a day.” This is a very good
remedy.

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

Tonic Drink

Time, twenty-four hours.

A quarter of an ounce of camomile flowers; a quarter of an ounce of sliced gentian root; a quarter of an ounce of bruised columba; a quarter of an ounce of dried orange peel; fifty cloves bruised; a pint and a quarter of cold spring water.

Put these ingredients into a jug, and pour upon them rather more than a pint of cold spring water; let it stand twenty-four hours, then pour off the clear liquor. Take three tablespoonfuls for a dose, fasting every morning.

Source: Warne’s Model Cookery and Housekeeping Book, Mary Jewry

Dysentery, One Ounce Dewberry Root for

“Boil in one quart of water one ounce of dewberry root. This should be boiled down to one-half pint and a half wineglassful given to patient two or three times a day, or in severe cases, a half wineglassful every two or three hours until discharge diminishes.”

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

Consumption, Simple Home Method to Break up

“A cloth saturated with kerosene oil, bound around the chest at night and frequently repeated, will remove lung soreness, and it may be taken inwardly with advantages, eight to ten drops three or four times a day in sarsaparilla. It has been tried efficaciously as a cure for consumption.”

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