Years ago people did not have the convenience of running to the store or doctor to take care of
everyday problems. They had many of their own cures for illness and everyday problems.
It you have other remedies or cures please e-mail them in and I will add them to list.
Soot from a stove pipe made a great tool for stopping the bleeding from an open wound.
A paste of salt and meat grease would relieve the itching from chigger bites.
The milk from milkweed was a great drying agent for poison ivy
White shoe polish also works as a drying agent for poison ivy.
Vinegar and soda makes a
wonderful scrub for tubs etc.
Vinegar and water makes a
wonderful window cleaner.
For pans that were
crusted on the outside just place them in a open fire and burn them clean.
Lemon juice is good for
rust stains.
Boiling your white
laundry or socks in lemon slices will bring them white.
Household bleach will
make mildew disappear.
Salt and water will
remove blood stains.
Bee sting , pain removed
by putting a slice of onion on the sting.
Mud pack also was used
for stings.
Vinegar rubbed over the
skin will repel insects while outside.
Boric acid was used for
insects. Spread into cracks and corners.
Fried polk stalks for
constipation.
All wild greens, cooked
helped keep the family regular
Hot drop tea was used to
ease menstrual cramps.
Soak a brown paper bag
with vinegar and tie around a swollen or cut spot for relief.
The inner skin or film
found on the inside section of the egg is great for boils or sty on the eye.
Warm tea bags is great to
relieve the pink eye or swelling over the eye.
Here are some remedies from my family who grew up in Floyd Co. These are some very, very primitive remedies which are really strange:
Sew nine sow bugs (I don't even know what a sow bug is) into a cloth like a handkerchief and wrap around neck for cold or respiratory infections.
Find a flat rock and turn it over, milk a cow so the milk lands on the bottom side, put the rock back in place. This will take the "milk fever" off of a cow's utter.
If someone never saw their father they could blow into a baby's mouth to cure the thrush.
If you see a stranger passing by have them take one of their shoes off and have a baby drink from it to cure thrush.
"scarifying" - cut a small incision on a baby's back and draw out a few drops of blood. Put in thimble and mix with mother's milk. Feed baby to cure thrush.
Take nightshade and crush leaves into sweet milk and apply to poison ivy.
Mix sulphur and lard and apply for "itch"
Take mullen leaves and boild in vinegar and apply to sprains and bruises
For pneumonia, sleep in cold, fresh air.
Best regards,
David Moore