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Ye Olde Cold Cures That Sound Disgusting… But Might Work Better Than Lemsip
As the winter chill sets in and our noses start to run, we’re all desperate for a cure. But, it seems some of our ancestors’ solutions may be more…unpalatable than others.
Imagine being told that the best way to treat a cold is by drinking fermented mare’s milk (that’s horse milk, for those who didn’t attend medieval medicine school). Or, how about snorting boiled onion juice up your nostrils? No thanks!
However, as we dig through history books and ancient remedy collections, it’s astonishing what people used to do. And, while some might be laughable, others have surprising medical merit.
Fermented mare’s milk, for instance, contains a compound that has antibacterial properties. Yes, it sounds disgusting, but if you’re desperate enough, maybe try sipping on some equine elixir.
On the other hand, boiling onions and using them to relieve sinus pressure might not be the most elegant solution, but research suggests that sulfur compounds in onions have natural decongestant properties. Just don’t tell anyone you’re snorting raw onion juice for a sniffle.
We’ve also got some historical hot water bottles – like bathing in cow urine or using the pungent extract to treat colds and fever. No wonder we’re opting for Lemsip instead!
Other old-school treatments include drinking vinegar mixed with honey, which might be as unpleasant as it sounds but has antibacterial properties; or using ear candles (which actually work, shockingly) to drain out the dreaded ‘head cold’.
In a world where Google can’t help us, we’re forced to rely on 17th-century wisdom and questionable folk remedies. Who knows? Maybe those medieval medicine folks knew something we don’t.
So, as you huddle under your blanket with that box of tissues, remember: there’s always a chance that some ancient quackery might just work better than Lemsip (or at least make for an interesting cocktail party story).
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
