Burdock

Burdock is a plant that was used in the treatment of boils, eczema and other skin complaints. It was also used to relieve bruising and burns.

Arthritis and rheumatism were said to be relieved by it, as was neuralgia. It was also used in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis and in the relief of indigestion.

Burnet

Burnet is a plant that was used as a tonic and in heart disease. It was also used for stopping the menstrual flow. When applied externally it helped to speed up the healing process of wounds and running sores.

Burns

Home treatments for burns vary, depending on the degree of burn. For mild burns, it may just be enough to put it under cold running water and kept there for a considerable time. Alternately, the burned area can just immersed in cold water.

In folk medicine there were several cures. Honey was thought to be an effective cure, and grated potato was also thought to do good. An application of cold tea was another old remedy.

Grated raw carrot in poultice was thought to be curative, as was onion juice and a lotion made from leeks cooked in milk. The crushed fresh leaves of plantain applied to the area were considered to speed healing, as were fresh nettle leaves and crushed dock leaves. Sage tea and an ointment made from comfrey were both thought to be curative.

Marigold, elderflowers and yarrow were all used as remedies for burns, and lavender was held to be particularly useful in minimizing scarring caused by burns. Witch hazel, eucalyptus and glycerin were all used to soothe burns.

One folk cure was based on pulverized charcoal and linseed oil. Another cure involved treating the area of the burn with a soft soap and linseed oil and then sprinkling wheaten flour over it to form a coating. A cloth saturated with linseed oil and lime water and bound round the burn was a suggested remedy for burns.

Chalk and linseed oil mixed to a thick compound was thought to be curative. Fern leaves, were the basis of another cure. These were to be boiled with two pints of cream or vegetable fat and allowed to simmer. The mixture was cooled, strained and applied to the burn.

A lotion made from yellow dock, dandelion, plantain and greater celandine was held to be curative for burns.

Burr Marigold

Burr Marigold is used to relieve gout and dropsy and to bring down fever. It was used in the treatment of hemorrhages and internal bleeding.

Butterbur

Butterbur is also known as bog rhubarb. In early times it was used to bring down fever and promote perspiration.

Cabbage

In ancient Rome cabbage was thought of as being a sovereign remedy that was useful for most things.

In folk medicine it was used as a tonic and in the treatment of stomach disorders, as well as for purifying the blood and cleansing the system. It was thought to have diuretic properties and was used in the treatment of arthritis.

Ulcers were thought to be healed by it, as was heartburn. It was considered to have antiseptic properties and was used to protect against respiratory infections.

In early times raw cabbage was taken to cure nervous complaints. It was also used in some liver conditions and was used to treat alcoholic and as a hangover cure.

Externally, cabbage was used to soothe, cleanse and heal the skin. It was used in the treatment of stings, burns, blisters, ulcers and sores. In the form of poultices, cabbage was used to bring boils to a head, to soothe chest infections and to bring relief to inflamed joints.