Pennyroyal Tea

The virtues of this old-fashioned remedy are vouched for in cholera years, by a correspondent, who says that the pennyroyal herb, made into a tea and drank hot, is the most comforting and active preventive that can be imagined when depressing symptoms set in.

Source: The Universal Cookery Book, Gertrude Strohm

For Tooth-Ache

Take a piece of soft muslin or lawn, about two inches long and one and a quarter inches wide, lay a little dry powdered ginger in the centre and fold over the sides and ends and sew it in place. Put this between the cheek and gum, and it will almost invariably ease the pain. These can be made larger or smaller, and will stay in place night or day.

Source: Two Hundred and Fifty Recipes, Grace Church Sewing Circle

To Stop Hiccoughs

A few drops of glycerine in cold water, or a spoonful of brown sugar taken dry.

Source: Household Gas Cookery Book, Helen Edden

For Healing Spots on the Face

Take of oxide of zinc, 2 drams; calamine powder, 2 drams; glycerine, 2 drams; bisulphide of mercury, 2 grains; rose water, 2 oz. Paint on with a camelhair brush at night.

Source: Still Room Cookery, C.S. Peel

Camphor and Borax Hair Wash

1/2 oz camphor
1 oz borax powder

Cut the camphor into small pieces, add the borax, put into a jug and pour over a quart of boiling water. When cold bottle. When required, strain a little through a muslin into a saucer and rub on the head with a sponge or a piece of flannel.

Source: Still Room Cookery, C.S. Peel

Elder Tea

Make a strong tea of elder-flowers, either fresh or dried. Sweeten with honey. This tea is to be drunk as hot as possible ,after the person is warm in bed; it produces a strong perspiration, and a slight cold or cough yields to it immediately; but the more stubborn requires two or three repetitions. Used in Russia. This is an excellent remedy for colds attended with feverish symptoms and sore throat.

Source: The Universal Cookery Book, Gertrude Strohm

Health Gems for Constipation

One quart unsifted wheat bran, 1 pint entire wheat flour, 1 pint milk, 6 tablespoons molasses, 2 teaspoons soda, salt. Makes two dozen gems.

Source: Cook Book, Woman’s Association of the Church of the Evangel, Congregational

Hiccough

An attack may often be stopped by holding the breath for half a minute or so and then breathing very slowly, or by a draught of cold water.

Source: The Complete Household Adviser

Lotion for Chapped Hands

Soak 1/8 oz gum tragacanth in one pint soft water for three days, or until quite soft, then add to it one gill alcohol, 1 gill glycerine, and 1/4 gill cologne. Shake well and it is ready for use.

Source: Book of Recipes, Daughters of the American Revolution, Genesee Chapter

A Hair Tonic

Scald two ounces of black tea in one gallon of boiling water; add three ounces of glycerine, one quart of bay rum and half an ounce of the tincture of cantharides; scald for five minutes longer; strain and bottle. This will prevent the hair from falling out, and at the same time will stimulate a new and healthy growth.

Source: The Kentucky Housewife, Mrs Peter A. White