Costiveness

From whatever cause it may arise, frequent exercise in the open air, and abstinence from heating liquors, will be found very beneficial. To those who are afflicted with this complaint, it is particularly recommended that they should visit the customary retreat every morning at a stated hour, that nature may in this respect, by perseverance, acquire a habit of regularity. In obstinate cases, three drams of carbon may be taken two or three times a day, mixed with three ounces of lenitive electuary, and two drams of carbonate of soda, as circumstances may require. Half an ounce of Epsom salts, dissolved in a tumbler or two of cold water, and drank at intervals, will have a very salutary effect.

Source: The Cook And Housekeeper’s Complete and Universal Dictionary, Mary Eaton

Medicinal Imperial

Useful in the Spring, or in slight Fevers, or Colds.

Pour 3 quarts of boiling water over 1 1/2 oz. of cream of tartar, 1 oz. Epsom salts, 3/4 lb. lump sugar, the peel of 3 lemons, and the juice of 1; cover close half an hour, then boil up, skim and strain it through thin muslin, into decanters.

A wine-glassful before breakfast.

Source: The English Housekeeper, Anne Cobbett

Hives

Epsom salts will check bold hives. Dose, two tablespoonfuls. Continue taking one teaspoonful a day until no more hives appear.

Source: The Inglenook Cook Book

To Remedy A Sluggish Liver

Boil two ounces of freshly-sliced dandelion root in two pints of water until the liquor is reduced to one pint, then add one ounce of compound tincture of horse-radish. Use occasionally.

Or, take occasionally ten minims of tincture of rhubarb, ten grains of bicarbonate of soda, and twenty grains of Epsom salts, in a wineglassful of water.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Cure for Sciatica

Two ounces tartaric acid, four ounces Epsom salts, two ounces citrate of magnesia, two ounces baking soda, two ounces cream tartar, six ounces icing sugar; One teaspoonful to a glass of water.

Source: The New Galt Cook Book, M. Taylor & F. McNaught

Drive Ants Away

Sprinkle a little epsom salts around or near where the ants are and they will quickly disappear.

Source: 1001 Household Hints, Ottilie V. Ames

Orange Flower Lotion for the Complexion

Dissolve a slightly heaping tablespoonful of Epsom salts in a pint of imported orange flower water (Chiris de Grasse), and add to it one tablespoonful of witch hazel. Apply with a soft linen cloth. Very refreshing in warm weather and an excellent remedy for oiliness of the skin.

Source: The Golden Age Cook Book, H. L. Dwight

Cuts, Iodoform and Vaselin Salve for Barb Wire

“Iodoform 1 teaspoonful.
Vaselin 1 ounce.”

Before applying the above salve it is very necessary to cleanse the affected parts with a solution made of one teaspoonful of salt to a pint of water. If the iodoform is offensive to some people, you may use the vaselin alone, although the iodoform is known to be one of the best healing remedies that can be obtained.

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

Abscess, Milk and Salt Poultice for

“Make a poultice of one cup of hot milk and common salt three teaspoonfuls; salt added gradually so it will not curdle. Cook until smooth and creamy, then add enough flour so it will spread but not be dry. Divide this into four poultices and apply in succession every half hour. This will remove the soreness and it should be kept oiled until healed.”

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

Blood Purifier, Doctor Recommends Senna and Salts for

“Five cents’ worth of senna leaves, one tablespoonful of epsom salts in one quart of
cold water; cover and let stand over night, then strain and put in bottles. Take a wine-glass full every morning until you feel well.” This is from Mrs. Jonathan Shaw, she has used it with good results in her family. A physician in England told her if people would use this the year round they would seldom need a doctor.

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