Carrots

In folk medicine carrots were used from very early times and for various conditions. They were traditionally considered to be aids to sharp eyesight and were thought to be helpful in regulating the circulation. They were also thought to regulate the menstrual cycle and increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers.

Carrots were also taken in the belief that they would act as an appetite stimulant and be effective in a number of disorders associated with the digestive system. They were used to treat flatulence, colic, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea and hemorrhoids.

They were thought to be diuretic and were used in the treatment of cystitis, gout and arthritis. They were also thought to be expectorant and were used in various respiratory disorders.

Externally carrots were used, sometimes in a poultice, to speed up the healing of wounds, ulcers, boils and styes. They were also used to treat eczema and chilblains.

Castor Oil

Castor oil is one of the oldest remedies known, and it has been used as a laxative for thousands of years. It has a particularly unpleasant odor and taste and so was difficult to take.

One old remedy suggest floating it on hot milk and eating a piece of orange or lemon peel before taking it. Alternatively, something with a strong taste, such as peppermint, could be taken before, with, or after it.

Externally Castor oil was used as a hair conditioner and as a remedy for dandruff and hair fall. It was also thought to be effective in treating eye irritation caused by the presence of a foreign body in the eye.

Catarrh

Honey taken with tea was an old remedy for catarrh, as was a mixture of cinnamon and lemon juice taken in warm water. An infusion of elderflowers, peppermint and yarrow was also thought to be effective.

A mixture of herbs taken in the form of a tea was thought to be useful in the treatment of catarrh. The herbs involved were coltsfoot, mullein, thyme and yarrow.

Another cure involved heating a pint of milk with mace, nutmeg, cinnamon and sugar until it was on the point of boiling. Two glasses of white wine or sherry were then added and the mixture heated and stirred until it curdled. It was then strained and given to the patient.

A snuff made from a mixture of roasted coffee, menthol and sugar ground together to make a powder was another suggested old remedy.

It was often thought that the bowels were involved in a whole range of illness, and aperients were recommended in catarrh.

Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, chamomile, rosemary, sage, thyme, rose, lavender, borage and balm were used in the treatment of catarrh, as were pepper, tea, vinegar, witch hazel and olive oil. Onions, leeks and garlic were thought to be effective catarrh remedies, as were watercress, turnip juice, elder, plantain, yarrow, marigold, myrrh and nettle. Eucalyptus was a common remedy.

Catnip

Catnip is also known as catmint. Cats are attracted to it because of its distinctive smell.

In folk medicine it was used as a remedy for colic and flatulence and also to treat stomach upsets and diarrhea.

Catnip was also used to treat bronchitis, colds and influenza. Anemia was also treated with it, and it was used to induce the menstrual flow.

It was thought to be useful in treating nervous conditions and insomnia.

Externally it was used to treat cuts, bruises and sores.

Centaury

Centaury was used as an aid to digestion and as a stimulant of the appetite. It was used as a remedy for indigestion and as a tonic. Nervous disorders were treated with it.

Chamomile

Chamomile is frequency used by early herbalists to cure cases of fluid retention and jaundice. It was also used to treat menstrual pain, painful joints and asthma. It was thought to reduce fevers, cure insomnia and stimulate the appetite.

It was used as sedative in nervous disorders. Externally, it was used to soothe rashes and bruises, to heal sores and to reduce inflammation.

Chervil

Chervil was used in folk medicine to purify the blood. High blood pressure was treated with it, and it was used as a remedy for gallstones and bronchitis. It was also used as a diuretic and as an aid to digestion.

Externally, it was used to treat skin disorders, abscesses and sores.

Chickweed

Chickweed is also known as adder’s mouth and starwort.

In folk medicine it was used as an expectorant in the treatment of bronchitis. It was also used as a laxative and as a cure for rheumatism and arthritis. Period pains were treated with it, and it was used externally to treat skin diseases, wounds, bruises, burns and abrasions.

Chilblains

Old remedies for chilblains included angelica, garlic, glycerin, hawthorn, horseradish and mugwort. Onion, shepherd's purse and watercress were also used. Other curses slices of raw potato, a lotion made from raw carrot, turnip poultices, crushed fresh marigold flowers applied to the chilblains or mustard taken internally.

An old cure for unbroken chilblains involved applying a lotion made from linseed oil, oil of turpentine and spirits of camphor. Another was made from oil of lavender, liquid carbolic acid and oxide of zinc ointment.

Childbirth, Making It Easy

For childbirth, several courses of action were recommended well in advance of the actual labor to ease childbirth. Once old piece of advice was that raspberry tea should be taken when women were about six months pregnant. This was thought to prevent miscarriage and increase the milk supply. Another suggestion was that pregnant women during pregnancy should take linseed tea with added honey.

During labor, clove oil was sometimes used as a massage oil to increase the strength of the contractions. Marigold was also thought to strengthen contractions, as was myrrh. Parsley was thought to be helpful to get the uterus back to normal after childbirth, although, since it was thought to stimulate the muscles of the uterus, pregnant women were advised to avoid it during pregnancy. Chamomile was used as relaxant during childbirth.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon was used to stimulate the circulation and in the treatment of colds, catarrh and respiratory infections, especially when there was fever present. It was also used as a remedy for disorders of the digestive system and was used in diarrhea, flatulence, colic and nausea.

It was also thought to stop heavy bleeding, and it was used in nosebleeds and in heavy menstrual bleeding. Muscle pains and arthritis were also treated by it.

Externally, it was used as an antiseptic for the relief of wounds, abrasions and stings and in skin conditions. Cinnamon was also used to treat head lice.

Cinquefoil

Cinquefoil is also known as wild tansy, silverweed and gooseweed.

It was used as an antispasmodic to relieve muscular spasm and spasm of the uterus. Stomach pains and painful menstruation were also thought to be relieved by it. Early herbalist used it to treat epilepsy.

It was used as a gargle for sore throats and as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers. Externally it was used in the treatment of abrasions and wounds.

Cloves

Cloves were particularly used for the relief of toothache because of the numbing effect that cloves can produce. It was used as an aid to digestion and as a cure for indigestion and to relieve nausea.

They were used in the treatment of nervous disorders, such as excessive anxiety, and also in the treatment of depression. They were thought to have expectorant properties and were used in the treatment of colds and other respiratory infections.

Clovers were also thought to be able to induce perspiration and bring down fevers. They were also thought to relieve hay fever. Diarrhea and flatulence were both treated with cloves.

Oil of cloves was used as a massage oil to strengthen uterine contractions in childbirth. Rubbed on the temples it was thought to be a remedy for headaches. Cuts, wounds and ringworm were treated with it, and it was used as a liniment for aching joints.