Important: Safety Warning
This page prescribes plants as medicine according to pre-modern medical theory. Several of the plants named are toxic, correct identification is difficult, and the doses given have no scientific basis. Do not ingest or apply any preparation described here.
This page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Rheumatism
Put 1 ounce of gum camphor into a quart of spirits, and as much of the bark of sassafras roots as the spirits will cover, steep 12 hours at least--take half a wine glass full at bed time, in the morning, and before noon. Rub the parts affected with it--the dose may be increased if necessary--it produces perspiration--avoid taking cold.