Cough Mixture

December 16th, 2015

Take of boneset, slippery elm, flax seed and stick liquorice two ounces each, one pint molasses, half pound brown sugar. Simmer the herbs in water (about three pints), until the strength is extracted, add the sugar and molasses, strain and boil to the consistency of cream. A teaspoon every two hours.

Source: The Kansas Home Cook-Book

Camphor Ice for Chapped Hands

December 14th, 2015

Take of spermaceti four ounces, white wax (pure), eight ounces; oil of sweet almonds, one pint. Mix together by a gentle heat, add of camphor (in small pieces), four ounces; when dissolved stir until partly cold, and add essential oil of bitter almonds and expressed oil of mace, two fluid drachms, and pour into moulds.

Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts

Rosemary Tea for the Hair

December 12th, 2015

Bruise a branch of rosemary, pour one pint of boiling water over it, and use it warm every morning. This will do for several times.

Source: The Unrivalled Cook-Book and Housekeeper’s Guide, Mrs Washington

Wen

December 10th, 2015

Wash with strong salt and vinegar twice a day for a month.

Source: The Kansas Home Cook-Book

For a Consumption

December 8th, 2015

Take a Pint of Red Cows milk, then take the Yolk of a new laid Egg potched very rare, then stir it into the Milk over a soft fire, but do not let it boil, sweeten it with a little Sugar Candy, and drink it in the morning fasting, and when you go to bed.

Source: The Queen-like Closet or Rich Cabinet, Hannah Wolley

Earache

December 6th, 2015

There are various ways of treating earache: the most old fashioned are the appliance of a roasted onion, or a hot bag of salt to the ear, and putting in the ear a small piece of cotton wet with camphorated oil, or simple olive-oil with a drop of chloroform; better still, to puff tobacco smoke into the ear. This remedy is very soothing and effective.

Or, take a small wax taper, pare one end quite small, envelop it in a dry linen rag, insert it into the ear; then light the taper. Odd as this remedy may seem, it is wonderfully rapid and effective; it is practised by all Italian sailors and fishermen.

In Kentucky, a cockroach is drowned in whiskey, then wrapped in hot cotton, and applied to the ear.

Source: The Unrivalled Cook-Book and Housekeeper’s Guide, Mrs Washington

Flax-Seed Lemonade

December 4th, 2015

To a large tablespoonful of flax-seed, allow a tumbler and a half of cold water. Boil them together till the liquid becomes very sticky. Then strain it hot over a quarter of a pound of pulverized sugar, and an ounce of pulverized gum arabic. Stir it till quite dissolved, and squeeze into it the juice of a lemon.

This mixture has frequently been found an efficacious remedy for a cold, taking a wine-glass of it as often as the cough is troublesome.

Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette

Dysentery

December 2nd, 2015

Into half a glass of port wine stir a teaspoon of starch, sweetened with loaf sugar; grate half a nutmeg in it, and drink three or four times a day.

Source: The Kansas Home Cook-Book

To Remove Smell of Onions from the Breath

November 30th, 2015

Wash the mouth with a weak solution of citric acid ; rinse with soda water.

Source: The Kansas Home Cook-Book

Sunstroke

November 28th, 2015

Bind the head with wet cloths; wet another cloth, fold into a small square, cover thickly with salt, and apply to the back of the neck; apply dry salt behind the ears, and mustard plasters to the calves of the legs and soles of the feet. The salt is an Arabian remedy, and is very effective.

Source: The Unrivalled Cook-Book and Housekeeper’s Guide, Mrs Washington

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    NOTE: these remedies are listed only for information and/or amusement. They are not to be construed as medical advice of any type, nor are they recommended for use. Consult your doctor or other medical professional for any medical advice you require.