Home Remedies - Scarlett O'Hara Style

Gone with the Wind just came out on blu-ray yesterday. *Sigh* My husband and I watched the first half last night in all its restored, high-def glory. It was gorgeous.

But what does this have to do with frugality? Not much, admittedly. I came across a book in at my in-laws' house a while back and I had to borrow it. It's called Home Remedies from the Old South. I mostly borrowed it for laughs and thought it would be fun to share on this blog. You know, just for kicks. And now I have a good excuse because of the blu-ray release of one of my all-time favorite movies.

Disclaimer: I don't endorse any of these remedies; I have no idea or opinion on their effectiveness or if they've been approved by modern medicine (though I'm sure most of these wouldn't hurt since they're mostly made from foods). That said, here's just a few of the interesting, funny, and unusual ideas I read...

• Soaking hands in very hot water will ease pain in the head.
• Heal varicose veins in a month. Put full strength vinegar onto offending veins twice a day. Each morning and evening, drink a glass of water with 2 tsp. vinegar in it.
• Frequent eating of sunflower seeds will prevent rashes and skin eruptions.
• Scaly rashes are healed by rubbing daily with a raw potato.
• Burns will heal fast if covered with froth of a lightly beaten egg white.
• Lighten the color of the face by rubbing down twice a day with a fresh tomato.
• Cook small potatoes in their skins. Strain and set potatoes aside. Apply this goodly juice to the hair, without getting it on the face or neck. Allow to dry without rinsing. Will darken drab brown hair and eliminate gray streaks.
• Apple cider vinegar taken every day will keep the reproductive system of both men and women working fit and fine.
• Sip on a strong infusion of raspberry leaves to shorten and reduce labor pain. Makes for lively babies!
• Cure twitches and reoccurring muscle cramps in one week by taking 2 tsp. honey with each meal and at bedtime.
• Every lady soon learns to drink lots of water to keep the body purified.
• Washing up is much nicer when flower petals are scattered into the bath. If flowers of the honeysuckle are sprinkled into the bath water, your skin will emerge as soft as a baby's bottom!
• A goodly tea of alfalfa and nettle will lessen swelling.
• Eat a generous spoonful of horseradish sauce each day to prevent baldness of the head. Hair growth can also be promoted by rubbing the head with a clove of garlic. Do this four times a day.
• A cup of strawberries with each meal will cure the gout, quick!

And don't forget this handy tip for your beauty regimen...

• Grate a medium sized cucumber and simmer for five minutes in a cup of fresh milk. Add enough oatmeal to form a thick paste. Pat this mask onto the face, neck, shoulders, and down well onto the bosom. Lay quietly while it dries, then remove with lots of cool rain water.

I'm sure if you try that last one you'll be, as Rhett Butler says, "the cutest trick in shoe leather."