In the medieval era, medicinal practices were influenced by a blend of herbalism, superstition, and early medical theories. This led to an array of home remedies, some effective, some strange, some which should never be practiced today, that people of that time used to cure themselves of their ailments. Here’s a list of the most common remedies of that time.
For migraines
The medieval remedy for migraines was boiling barley with herbs like betony and vervain, then wrapping them in a cloth and applying them to the head. Betony, a grassland herb, was commonly used in medieval remedies for various ailments and is still utilized in modern medicine for treating severe headaches and migraines. Vervain, known for its glycoside derivatives, was also used in the remedy and is still applied today in modern treatments for migraines, depression, and anxiety.
For a sore throat
The medieval remedy for quinsy involved a rather gruesome procedure: stuffing a cat with various ingredients like hedgehog grease, bear fat, resins, fenugreek, sage, honeysuckle gum, and wax, then roasting it and using the gathered grease to apply on the patient’s body. This bizarre treatment is just one example of harmful medieval practices that should not be practiced today.
For a cough
The medieval remedy for treating a cough was consuming a mixture of horehound juice and diapenidion, a confection made from barley water, sugar, and egg whites drawn out into threads. Horehound, known for its effectiveness in treating coughs, was combined with diapenidion, which provided a sweet and pleasant taste. Some parts of this remedy are still used today as sugar, a key ingredient in diapenidion, is used in over-the-counter cough remedies for its soothing effects on the chest.
For an upset stomach
To relieve colic caused by trapped wind, medieval medicine prescribed a remedy made from carminatives, cumin and anise, steeped in white wine for three days and nights. After drying for nine days on an ash board, the mixture was powdered and ingested in pottage or as a drink. Alternatively, dill and fennel could be used for the same purpose, similar to modern gripe water formulas. This concoction usually took around 2 weeks to prepare, so patients would likely purchase this remedy from apothecaries.
For gout
To treat gout, medieval people would prepare an owl by plucking it, cleaning it, and salting it before placing it in a pot covered with a stone and baking it in an oven until burnt. Once burnt, the owl was pounded with boar’s grease to create a mixture used for anointing the affected area. However, this treatment was likely entirely ineffective and only led to an unfortunate situation for the owl.
A stye/bump on the eye
The remedy for a stye, or a small painful bump, on the eye was done through first pounding either onion or leek and garlic, then mixing them with equal parts of wine and bull’s gall. After letting the mixture stand for nine nights in a brass bowl, it was strained and applied to the eye with a feather at night. This concoction, though initially unappealing in appearance and odor, exhibited potent antibiotic properties due to the antimicrobial components of onion, garlic, and bull’s gall. Additionally, the reaction between the wine and brass bowl produced bactericidal copper salts. Recent research has validated the efficacy of this remedy, prompting further investigation for potential use against antibiotic-resistant infections like MRSA.
For burns and scalds
Medieval medicine recommended using the slime of a live snail to treat burns and scalds, a simple yet effective remedy that reduces blistering and alleviates pain. Recent scientific studies have confirmed that snail slime contains a range of beneficial properties, including antioxidants, antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, and skin-repairing compounds like collagen and elastin. Modern skincare products, known as “Snail Gel,” now utilize these properties for treating minor injuries such as cuts, burns, and scalds.
For sciatica nerve pain
Medieval remedies for sciatica or pain caused by the sciatic nerve often included a mixture of ingredients such as the gall of a red ox, water-pepper, cumin, and suet. These ingredients were boiled together to create an ointment-like gruel, which was then applied to the affected area. Additionally, the patient was instructed to apply heat to the hip bone and use hot cloths on the area. Despite the questionable effectiveness of the ingredients, the combination of bed rest and heat treatments may have provided some relief for sciatica symptoms.
Sources
Anastasi, L. (2023, January 13). Medieval History – Herbal Medicine in the Middle Ages. Medieval History. https://historymedieval.com/herbal-medicine-in-the-middle-ages/
Freeman, J. (2022, August 17). Do not try this at home: Medieval medicine under the spotlight in major new project. University of Cambridge. https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/curious-medieval-medicine
Mason, E. (2015, April 20). 9 weird medieval medicines. History Extra; History Extra. https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/9-weird-medieval-medicines/
