Frontier / Pioneer remedies

[Forty Rod]

My daughter is looking for home remedies that folks would have used in frontier /pioneer days.  You know, the "potato against the fevered part and then bury it by moonlight" sort of thing.

What did people do if there weren't any doctors around and no one with real medical knowledge?

I appreciate any help.

[Stump Water]

Leeches.

Used for all kinds of "medicinal" purposes.

[St. George]

No matter what - there were 'always' folks around who were familiar with 'some' manner of doctoring - as there were always folks who knew what roots and herbs would help.

In a self-sufficient environment - you either doctor yourself - or die.

The secrets of herbs, roots and whatnot were passed down from generation to generation - as were the various methods of setting bone or sewing torn flesh.

T'wasn't always 'pretty' - but in general - it usually worked well enough - and that was the object of the exercise.

Your daughter'd be well-served by going to the Public Library and looking up 'home remedies'.
There's a myriad of interesting things and she should be suitably amazed.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Marshal'ette Halloway]

Shred a raw potato and make a poltice.. Put it on spider bites or boils or anything that poison needs to be drawn out from.
Works like a charm every time..
I still use it today, as does my family.

[Silver Creek Slim]

We always use a mud pack on bee stings.

Slim

[Camille Eonich]

Use tobacco on bee stings ya sillies.

[Marshal harpoluke]

A baking soda polace will work on most stings, n inscect bites, as wellas Nettle stings.

[Marshal'ette Halloway]

I'm with Cammie on this one.. Tobacco ..fresh out of someone's mouth is what we always use on wasp or bee stings..
And around here.. that is always readily available..