Leucorrhea, Common Tea for
“A very simple remedy that every woman has in the home is a decoction of common tea; used as an injection twice daily is very beneficial.” The tea has an astringent action and the tannin contained in the tea leaves is very effective. This remedy is a harmless one, and every woman suffering with this disagreeable disease should give this remedy a trial.
Source: Mother’s Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter
Painful Menstruation, a Good Tonic for
“This may be relieved by sitting over the steam of a strong decoction of tansy, wormwood, and yarrow, and fomenting the abdomen with the same. Then take the following in wineglassful doses:– One ounce each of ground pine, southern wood, tansy, catnip and germander, simmering in two quarts of water down to three pints and pour boiling hot on one ounce of pennyroyal herb, strain when cold and take as per dose above.”
Source: Mother’s Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter
Dropsy, Juniper Berries Fresh or Dry for
“The berries of the juniper tree are regarded as excellent home remedies in dropsy. They may be eaten fresh or dry, or make a decoction and drink. Two teaspoonfuls of the berries two or three times a day is considered a dose. It is well to bruise them thoroughly by breaking the seeds with a hammer before taking.” The decoction is more effective. This helps the dropsy by acting on the kidneys.
Source: Mother’s Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter
Pin worms, Pink Root for
“Take one ounce pink root, and one pint of water. Make a decoction of this by boiling the above to half a pint. Give a teaspoonful three times a day for two days, following this up by a good dose of castor oil or cream of tartar to thoroughly cleanse the system.”
Source: Mother’s Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter
Techniques: Decoction
Decoction, or boiling, is employed to extract the mucilaginous or gummy parts of substances, their bitter, astringent or other qualities, and is nothing more than boiling the ingredients in a saucepan with the lid slightly raised. Be sure never to use an iron saucepan for astringent decoctions, such as oak-bark, galls, &c., as they will turn the saucepan black and spoil the decoction. The enamelled saucepans are very useful for decoctions, but an excellent plan is to put the ingredients into a jar and then boil the jar, thus preparing it by a water bath, as it is technically termed; or by using a common pipkin, which answers still better. No decoction should be allowed to boil for more than ten minutes.
Source: Enquire Within Upon Everything.