Could Medieval Remedies Be the Answer to Your Cold?
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Feeling under the weather? Before you reach for the cough drops and decongestants, consider this: remedies used by past kings of England might offer some surprising relief.
While some ancient cures involved boiling owl heads or smearing goat excrement (we’ll pass on those!), Dr.Kathryn Maude, a medieval specialist at the National Archives at Kew, unearthed two 15th-century prescriptions from the papers of King Henry VI that might actually work.”Imagine a medieval Vicks VapoRub,” Dr. Maude says, describing the recipes for a herbal head poultice and an inhalation made from stale ale, mustard seed, and nutmeg.
These remedies, discovered among miscellaneous items from the King’s writng office, offer a engaging glimpse into historical healthcare practices.
Dr. Maude explains that “stale ale” in this context referred to aged, strong ale, not spoiled beer. The poultice,made from camomile,sage wood,betony,and wild purslane – all native to the UK – would have been applied to the forehead to soothe a feverish head.
“Poultices were a common part of medieval medicine,” Dr. Maude explains. “I guess this would be like using a hot water bottle.”
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While some ye olde cold cures of centuries past suggest boiling an owls head or smearing goat excrement to your forehead to relieve a headache — there are some that might actually work (File image of a sick man)
but the medieval remedies don’t stop there.
An 18th-century cure for a sore throat, penned by Scottish aristocrat Lady Augusta Murray, suggests gargling a mixture of vinegar and port.
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An 18th century cure for a sore throat written in a notebook by Scottish aristocrat Lady Augusta Murray (pictured) suggests gargling a combination of vinegar and port
While these historical remedies might seem unusual, thay highlight the enduring human quest for relief from common ailments. And who knows, maybe a touch of medieval wisdom could be just what the doctor ordered.
Ancient Remedies: From Medieval Vinegar Gargles to King Charles’ Mustard Steam
Could centuries-old medical practices hold the key to modern ailments?
From sore throats to coughs, humans have been battling common illnesses for centuries. While modern medicine has advanced substantially, a peek into the past reveals some surprisingly familiar remedies.
Dr. Philippa Kaye, a practicing GP, recently explored these ancient cures, testing out a recipe from King Charles III’s personal physician. the King’s remedy for congestion involves inhaling steam infused with mustard. While Dr. Kaye found the combination cleared her sinuses, she also experienced some unpleasant side effects, including watery eyes and a headache.
This isn’t the first time historical remedies have caught the attention of modern medicine.
Medieval manuscripts, like the 10th-century Bald’s Leechbook housed at the British library, offer a glimpse into the medical practices of the time. One recipe suggests gargling with a mixture of vinegar,herbs,and honey to soothe a sore throat.
Another remedy, penned by 13th-century Gilbertine nuns, recommends a syrup made from sage, cumin, pepper, and honey to combat coughs.
Interestingly, these ancient practices often incorporated ingredients still used in modern medicine. For example, the “bark” mentioned in a 10th-century remedy for sore throats likely refers to cinchona bark, a source of quinine, a drug historically used to treat malaria.
while these historical remedies may seem quaint or even bizarre today,they offer a fascinating insight into the evolution of medical knowledge. While some may prove surprisingly effective, it’s crucial to remember that modern medicine has made important strides in understanding and treating illnesses.Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before trying any home remedies.
[image: Dr. Philippa Kaye trying the King’s congestion remedy]
[Image: Dr.Kaye’s reaction to the mustard steam]
Caption: Dr. Philippa Kaye tested King Charles III’s mustard steam remedy for congestion, finding it effective but with some side effects.
Keywords: ancient remedies, medieval medicine, King Charles III, sore throat, cough, vinegar, mustard, steam inhalation, historical medicine, modern medicine.
Medieval Medicine: Could Ancient Remedies Offer Relief From Modern Colds?
While modern medicine offers a plethora of solutions for the common cold, a centuries-old manuscript known as the Leechbook offers some rather unconventional remedies. This 10th-century text, filled with bizarre suggestions like boiling and eating owl heads or applying goat excrement to the forehead, might seem laughable today. Though, some of its more palatable recommendations, like inhaling steam or drinking sweet syrups, might actually hold a grain of truth.
Dr. Philippa Kaye, a London-based GP, decided to test the Leechbook’s “King’s recipe” for clearing congestion. While the combination of steam and mustard did clear her sinuses, it also came with some unpleasant side effects, including watery eyes and a headache.
“The benefits of steam inhalation are well known,” Dr. Kaye explains. “It helps loosen mucus in the nose and sinuses, eases a sore throat and hoarseness, although you can achieve these effects over a bowl or pan of hot water.”
Professor Ron Eccles, a biosciences expert at Cardiff University and former director of its Common Cold Center, agrees. He points to a 2008 study he conducted which found that drinking hot blackcurrant cordial provided immediate relief from a range of cold symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chills, and tiredness. in contrast, a room-temperature drink only offered relief from a runny nose, cough, and sneezing.
Professor Eccles believes the steam in a hot drink softens and breaks down mucus, making it easier to breathe.It also reduces the swelling of a sore throat, although the exact reason for this remains unclear.He suggests that a warm shower or bath could offer similar benefits, relieving nasal congestion, cough, and sore throat.
Professor Eccles has also previously stated that a hot sweet drink, such as honey with lemon or blackcurrant, can be a simple way to soothe a cough and sore throat.The warmth promotes salivation, which helps to soothe the irritated throat.
While the Leechbook’s more outlandish remedies should be left in the past, its emphasis on steam inhalation and warm drinks might offer a surprisingly effective, albeit ancient, approach to tackling the common cold.
Could Ancient Remedies Be the Answer to Your Cold?
NewsDirectory3.com – Feeling under the weather? Before you reach for the latest decongestant, step back in time and consider this: remedies used by past monarchs might hold surprising relief.
We spoke with Dr. Kathryn Maude, a medieval specialist at the National Archives at Kew, about her fascinating discoveries in the papers of king Henry VI. Two 15th-century prescriptions caught her eye – a herbal head poultice and a unique inhalation made from stale ale, mustard seed, and nutmeg.
“Imagine a medieval Vicks VapoRub,” Dr. Maude quipped, describing the ancient remedies.
These prescriptions,unearthed amongst miscellaneous items from the King’s writing office,offer a captivating glimpse into ancient healthcare practices.
The poultice, crafted from camomile, sage wood, betony, and wild purslane – all native to the UK – would have been applied to the forehead to soothe a feverish head.
“Poultices were a common part of medieval medicine,” Dr.Maude explained. “I guess this would be like using a hot water bottle.”
Beyond King Henry:
But these medieval remedies weren’t the only ones catching attention. We also learned about an 18th-century cure for a sore throat from Scottish aristocrat Lady Augusta Murray. her recipe suggests gargling a mixture of vinegar and port – a surprisingly effective remedy, according to Dr.Kaye, a practicing GP who tested out various historical cures.
A Modern take on Ancient Wisdom:
While some ancient cures involved rather questionable ingredients (boiling owl heads, anyone?), many surprisingly align with modern understandings of health and wellness. The use of herbs for their medicinal properties, the focus on steam inhalation for congestion, and the application of warm compresses for pain relief are all approaches still practiced today.
Dr. Maude emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context when examining these remedies. “While some might seem unusual, they reflect the limited resources and knowledge available at the time,” she explained.
Could these ancient therapies offer unique solutions to modern ailments? While further research is needed, exploring these historical practices offers a fascinating glimpse into the enduring human quest for healing and reminds us that sometimes the wisdom of the past can hold valuable insights for the present.
To read more about Dr. kaye’s experience with King Charles III’s mustard steam inhalation and other historical cures, visit our SOURCES section.
