Nettle Rash

Nettle Rash, though not dangerous, is a very troublesome and annoying complaint. It breaks forth, as its name implies, into an eruptive rash, discovering itself in large red patches, mostly white in the centre. The irritation is very great, resembling that of a sting of a nettle, and is most troublesome when the patient is in bed, or before a fire, or heated from any other cause. It is a very uncertain complaint, often appearing on one part of the body, and then leaving that and appearing on another part.

The most popular remedy for this complaint is nettle tea, made by boiling a good bunch of stinging nettles in three pints of water, till reduced to a quart.

Dose– Half a teacupful or more, three or four times a day.

Nettle rash mostly appears in the spring. Sometimes, however, it is not so easily got rid of; when this is the case make the following: Take two ounces of sarsaparilla, one ounce of clivers, and one ounce of the herb archangel; boil in three pints of water till reduced to a quart, strain and keep in a bottle. Dose— A large wineglasaful three or four times a day.

When the irritation is very great, ease may be obtained by washing with a strong decoction of common garden parsley; boil about half a pound of the green herb in a quart of water till reduced to a pint, apply this to the body as a lotion, warm, just before going to bed. Celandine tea will have the same effect, so also will camphor water. A slight purgative should also be taken, about twice or thrice a week. Under this treatment it will seldom last more than a week or so, but if neglected, will sometimes poison the blood, causing scrofula, or some other constitutional complaint.

Source: Baldwin’s Herbal Guide To Health, G. Baldwin

Oil for the Hair

A very excellent ready-made oil for the hair which answers all common purposes, is made by mixing one part brandy with three parts of sweet oil. Add any scent you prefer.

Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie

For Bilious Diarrhoea, attended with Wind and Headache

Take Mountain Flax, 1 ounce.

Turkey Rhubarb, 1/4 ounce.

Ginger Root, 1 ounce.

Calumba Root, 1 ounce.

Bruise all the roots, and boil together with the Mountain Flax in one quart of water until reduced to a pint and a half, let stand till cold, and strain off.

Dose– Half a wineglassful two or three times a day according to its aperient effect, two hours after a meal.

Source: Baldwin’s Herbal Guide To Health, G. Baldwin

Heart Disease

Heart disease is greatly relieved by taking a tablespoonful of whisky in a little milk.

Source: Fray’s Golden Recipes for the use of all ages, E. Fray

Pearl Water for the Complexion

Castile soap, one pound; water, one gallon. Dissolve, then add alcohol, one quart; oil of rosemary and oil of lavender, each two drachms. Mix well.

Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie

For Rickets

A blacksmith, whose fathers have been smiths for three generations, must carry the child in his apron three times round the anvil for seven days in succession, repeating the Paternoster each time. But no money must be accepted for the cure.

Source: Ancient Cures, Charms, and Usages of Ireland, Lady Wilde

Almond Paste

Take 1 ounce of bitter almonds, blanch and pound them to a fine powder, then add 1 ounce of barley flour, and make it into a smooth paste by the addition of a little honey. When this paste is laid over the skin, particularly where there are freckles, it makes it smooth and soft.

Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley

Blood Purifier, A Recipe Invaluable

The simplest and best blood purifier known is a sliced lemon, two tablespoonsful of black currant preserves, and ten red sage leaves, to a quart of boiling water, sweetened to taste, which makes a most agreeable drink.

Source: Fray’s Golden Recipes for the use of all ages, E. Fray

Milk of Roses

Take 1 ounce of Jordan almonds; 5 ounces of distilled rose-water; 1 ounce of spirit of wine; ½ a drachm of Venetian soap, and 2 drops of otto of roses. Beat the almonds (previously blanched and well dried with a cloth) in a mortar, until they become a complete paste, then beat the soap and mix with the almonds, and afterwards add the rose-water and spirit. Strain through a very fine muslin or linen, and add the otto of roses.

The common milk of roses sold in the shops, frequently contains salt of tartar, or pearlash, combined with olive oil and rose-water, and therefore it is better to make it yourself to ensure it being good.

Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley

To Make The Complexion Fair

Take emulsion of bitter almonds, one pint; oxymuriate of quicksilver, two and a half grains; sal ammonia, one drachm. Use moderately for pimples, freckles, tanned complexions.

Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie