Exploring Grandmother's Old Medicine

When I was a child, I loved exploring my grandmother's house. She always offered such interesting things to see, especially her fascinating medicine chest filled with bottles of all shapes and sizes, each bearing a mysterious name. Some of my favorites were paregoric, valerian, silver, and slippery elm. I would often ask her about the contents of the bottles, and she would tell me stories about when she had used them.

For example, she would take paregoric for an upset stomach and valerian for nervousness. She would use the silver for wounds, mouthwash, and even for cleaning surfaces. Sometimes she would even make a poultice out of slippery elm to soothe a sore throat.

 I always thought it was so interesting that she had such a variety of remedies at her disposal. Even now, whenever I see a medicine chest, I can't help but think of my grandmother and all the amazing stories she used to tell me.

Early Pioneers

The early pioneers had a variety of herbal remedies and concoctions that they used to treat various ailments. People still use some of these remedies today, while modern medicines have replaced others.

Some of the most common compounds, herbs, and spices used by the early pioneers included:

• Black Cohosh: Used for treating menstrual cramps, headaches, and other female health issues.
• Ginger: Used for treating nausea, indigestion, and cold symptoms.
• Peppermint: Used for treating stomach pain, nausea, and cold symptoms.
• Rosemary: Used for improving memory and concentration, as well as treating headaches.
• Sage: Used for treating colds, coughs, and sore throats.
• Silver: Sore throats, infections, skin problems
• Thyme: Used for treating respiratory problems, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Medicine Shows Would Display the Old Medicine Ways

Although people still use many of these compounds, herbs, and spices today, modern medicines have replaced them in most cases.  However, some people still prefer to use natural remedies, and there is a growing trend of people interested in herbal medicine.

Medicine shows were a common occurrence in the United States during the 1800s. These shows were traveling salesmen who would sell various medicines and cures to the public.

Some of the most popular medicines sold by medicine showmen included: 

• Paregoric: A medicine used to treat diarrhea, stomach pain, and coughs.
• Kola Nuts: A stimulant used to treat fatigue and hunger.
• Silver Solution: A liquid for wounds and dental issues.
• Valerian: A sedative used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
• Snake Oil: A purported cure-all that was said to treat everything from joint pain to baldness.

Modern advertising forms eventually replaced medicine shows, but people still use some of the remedies sold back then. For instance, paregoric continues to treat diarrhea, and valerian remains a natural sedative.

We were also captivated by the daily-used silver solution, besides the herbs.

For centuries, people have used colloidal silver as an antimicrobial agent, a natural disinfectant known to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Colloidal silver is safe to use on surfaces and in food preparation. It can also be taken internally as a dietary supplement.

The first recorded use of colloidal silver was in ancient Greece, where it was used to treat wounds and infections. In the Middle Ages, silverware and coins were often used to disinfect drinking water.

Colloidal silver fell out of favor with the advent of antibiotics but has seen a resurgence in recent years as people search for natural alternatives to conventional medicine.

Hospitals Using Silver 

Hospitals have started using colloidal silver as a way to combat the spread of infection. It is safe to use on surfaces and in food preparation. It can also be taken internally as a dietary supplement.

In an age of modern medicine, it can be easy to forget that nature has a lot to offer in the way of healing. There are a growing number of people who are turning to modern natural remedies to treat both physical and mental health conditions naturally. Several reasons draw people to these remedies. For one, they tend to be much gentler on the body than traditional medications. They also often address the root cause of an issue, rather than simply masking symptoms.

And lastly, they tend to be much more affordable than conventional treatments. If you're looking for an alternative approach to your health, modern natural remedies may be worth exploring.

Thanks for reading! I hope this gives you a better understanding of what has been in our medicine chest in the US. From the Pioneers to Medicine Shows to My Grandma, they all have one thing in common. The simpler and more pure, the more effective the results seem to be. I think my Grandmother really knew something here I need to better use in my daily life now too. The simple solution really is the best solution.