The 19th century was a time of significant medical advancements, but many people still relied on home remedies and natural cures, often passed down through generations. People relied on herbs, plants, and simple, natural ingredients to treat ailments due to limited access to professional medical care, especially in rural areas.

Here are some common examples: 

1. Herbal Teas and Infusions:

• Peppermint tea: Used to treat digestive issues, stomachaches, and headaches.
• Chamomile tea: Taken for calming nerves and promoting sleep.
• Sage: Used for sore throats, often in the form of tea or gargles.
• Fennel tea: Given for colic and other digestive problems, especially in babies.

2. Poultices and Compresses:

• Mustard poultice: Made from mustard seeds and applied to the chest for respiratory issues like congestion and colds.
• Onion poultice: Used to draw out infections from wounds or to relieve chest congestion.
• Bread poultice: Soaked bread was placed on wounds or boils to help draw out pus and promote healing.

3. Herbs and Plants:

• Willow bark: Contained salicin, a compound related to modern-day aspirin, and was used to relieve pain and fever.
• Comfrey: Known as “knitbone,” comfrey was used to treat sprains, broken bones, and skin wounds.
• Elderberry: Commonly used for colds, flu, and infections.
• Garlic: Used for various ailments, including colds, infections, and as an insect repellent.

4. Vinegar:

• Apple cider vinegar: Used for various purposes, including treating infections, digestive problems, and cleaning wounds.

5. Honey:

• Honey was commonly used to soothe sore throats and coughs. Its antimicrobial properties also made it valuable for treating wounds.

6. Castor Oil:

• Castor oil: Taken as a laxative or applied to the skin for various ailments like inflammation and rashes. It was also used to promote labor in pregnant women.

7. Whiskey and Brandy:

• Alcohol was sometimes used medicinally, either as a painkiller or in small doses to treat colds and respiratory problems.

8. Turpentine:

• Distilled from pine trees, turpentine was used for a variety of purposes, from treating lice and wounds to easing joint pain when mixed with other substances.

9. Leeches and Bloodletting:

• Though not strictly a home remedy, bloodletting and the use of leeches were common practices believed to balance the body’s “humors” and cure various ailments, including fever, inflammation, and headaches.

10. Dietary Remedies:

• Oatmeal: Consumed for digestive health and sometimes applied as a poultice for irritated skin.
• Cranberries: Used to treat urinary tract infections.
• Ginger: Used to calm the stomach and reduce nausea. 
• Baking soda: A common antacid

11. Salt and Saltwater:

• Saltwater gargles: Used to treat sore throats.
• Salt: Applied to cuts and wounds to help prevent infection.

Many of these remedies reflect the knowledge people had at the time, relying on natural ingredients available to them. While some of these remedies have been proven to have legitimate health benefits, others were based on trial, error, and traditional beliefs.

Penicillin was not discovered until 1928 by Alexander Fleming and did not become readily available until after WWII.

What, if any, home remedies do you use today? Let me know in the comments!