Green Ointment
Boil the leaves of Jamestown weed in water until a very strong tea is obtained; add good hog’s lard in the proportion of three pounds of lard to one gallon of the water. Stew until the water is evaporated. Strain, and to each pound add an ounce of turpentine; add it when the lard is nearly cold.
Source: Mrs Hill’s New Cook-Book
Mint, Balm and Other Teas
Put either the fresh or the dried plants into boiling water in a covered vessel, which should be placed near the fire for an hour. The young shoots both of balm and of mint are to be preferred, on account of their strong aromatic qualities. These infusions may be drunk freely in feverish and in various other complaints, in which diluents are recommended. Mint tea, made with the fresh leaves, is useful in allaying nausea and vomiting.
Source: Valuable Receipts, J.M. Prescott
Pepper Tea
Six red peppers broken in small pieces, one pint of boiling water poured over them, one teaspoonful of salt, one-half pint of vinegar. This is a good remedy for sore throat.
Source: The Housekeeper’s Friend: A Practical Cookbook
To Prevent Styes
Bathe the eye every fifteen minutes in quite warm water; if applied when the soreness first appears, it is a sure preventive, otherwise it will greatly relieve. Also moisten green tea leaves and bind on the stye.
Source: 76: A Cook Book
To Destroy Flies
Strong green tea, sweetened well, and set in saucers about the places where they are most numerous, will attract and destroy them. This plan is much to be preferred to the use of those horrible fly-papers, which catch the poor insects alive, cruelly torturing them while starving them to death.
Source: Cassell’s Household Guide
For Headache
For headache, drink a cup of strong black tea, in which has been squeezed the juice of a lemon. Half a teaspoon of common baking soda dissolved in hot water is also good.
Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts
Beef Tea (For Invalids)
One-half pound tender beef (no fat), cut in bits; put in glass bottles, with top well screwed on (can add a little water), place in kettle of boiling water 20 minutes, take out, shake well; this quantity makes 1 cup of rich tea.
Source: Tested Recipe Cook Book, Mrs H.L. Wilson
Cough Mixture
Take buttonwood root and make a strong tea of it; to a pint of the tea and a pint of honey, a piece of saltpetre about the size of your thumb; mix all together and boil down to one pint; also add one tablespoon of paregoric.
Source: Tested Recipe Cook Book, Mrs H.L. Wilson
To Stop the Flow of Blood
Bathe the cut with ordinary red wine; then cover the wound with either whiting, pipe-clay, or cobwebs and brown sugar ; if you have none of these, apply the fine dust of tea, or, if all are
wanting, a handful of earth held tightly to the wound until help can be obtained ; if the cut is deep, it is wise not only to bandage it tightly, but to tie another bandage above, not onto, the wound.
Source: The Unrivalled Cook-Book and Housekeeper’s Guide, Mrs Washington
Rosemary Tea for the Hair
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