17 Forgotten Remedies From the 1920s

The 1920s was a decade of great change and curiosity in the world of medicine. Many people were eager to try new products that promised to improve their health and energy levels. During this time, the rules for what could be sold as medicine were much looser than they are today. Companies often made big claims about their tonics and pills without having much proof that they worked. Some of these remedies were harmless mixtures of herbs and sugar, while others contained ingredients that we now know are very dangerous. This article looks at 17 specific remedies that were found in family cabinets a century ago. It is fascinating to see what our great grandparents believed would keep them strong and fit. These stories show us how much our understanding of safety and chemistry has grown since that era. We now have much better ways to protect our health and treat common aches and pains.

1. The Use Of Medicated Cigarettes

In the 1920s, some doctors actually recommended specific brands of cigarettes to treat asthma and throat irritation. These were not filled with regular tobacco but with herbs like stramonium and belladonna. Manufacturers claimed that the smoke would help open up the lungs and clear out mucus. People would light up a cigarette to stop a coughing fit or to help them breathe more easily during a cold. We now know that inhaling any kind of smoke is actually very damaging to the lungs and makes breathing problems much worse. It is hard to imagine a time when smoking was seen as a health habit rather than a serious risk. Modern medicine uses clean inhalers and vaporizers instead of burning dried leaves.

2. The Tonic Of Liquid Radium

After the discovery of radiation, many people thought it was a miracle source of energy for the human body. One popular remedy was a bottle of water infused with radium that people drank to cure everything from fatigue to joint pain. They believed the glowing element would jumpstart their internal organs and make them feel young again. Advertisements described it as sunshine in a bottle that could provide a permanent glow of health. Sadly, the people who drank these tonics suffered from terrible radiation poisoning and bone damage. It took many years for the public to realize that radiation was a deadly force that should never be swallowed. We now keep radioactive materials very far away from our food.

3. The Application Of Mustard Plasters

A very common home remedy for chest colds and muscle aches was the mustard plaster. This involved mixing mustard powder with flour and water to create a thick paste that was spread on a cloth. The cloth was then placed directly onto the skin of the patient to generate heat. The idea was that the stinging heat would draw out the sickness and increase blood flow to the area. However, if the plaster was left on for too long, it could cause painful chemical burns and blisters on the skin. Many children dreaded the smell and the sting of this treatment during the winter months. Today, we use gentle heating pads or medicated creams that provide warmth without damaging the surface of the skin.

4. The Dose Of Castor Oil

Castor oil was the most famous and feared remedy in many households in the 1920s. Parents used it as a general cure for stomach aches, fevers, and even bad behavior. It has a very strong and unpleasant taste that made children cringe at the sight of the bottle. While it is a very powerful laxative, it was often used far too much and for the wrong reasons. Doctors believed that cleaning out the bowels was a key step in curing almost any type of infection. This often led to dehydration and made the sick person feel even weaker than before. We now have much milder ways to handle stomach issues that do not involve such a harsh and oily liquid that causes so much unnecessary misery.

5. The Use Of Violet Rays

The violet ray was a high-frequency electrical device that was sold to families for home use. It consisted of a glass wand that would glow with a purple light and buzz when it touched the skin. The machine was supposed to treat skin issues, hair loss, and even internal pain by sending tiny sparks into the body. People would spend several minutes every day rubbing the glass tube over their faces and limbs. While it looked very futuristic and impressive, it did very little to actually heal any serious medical conditions. It was mostly a fancy gadget that relied on the excitement of the new electrical age. Most of these machines were eventually banned for making false health claims to the public.

6. The Reliance On Beef Juice

When a person was recovering from a long illness, they were often fed concentrated beef juice as a health tonic. This was made by squeezing the liquid out of raw or lightly cooked meat and bottling it for later use. People believed that this dark red liquid contained all the strength and vitality of the animal. It was given to babies, the elderly, and anyone who looked pale or thin. While it did provide some iron and protein, it was often not very safe to drink if it had not been stored correctly. The smell and taste were very strong, and not everyone could keep it down. We now use balanced vitamin shakes and healthy soups that are much easier to digest and safer to consume daily.

7. The Treatment With Yeast Cakes

In the 1920s, eating raw yeast cakes was a very popular trend for improving the skin and digestion. Advertisements claimed that the tiny organisms in the yeast would clean the blood and clear up acne. People would buy small foil-wrapped squares of yeast at the grocery store and eat them with their meals. Some people complained that the taste was bitter and that it made them feel very bloated and gassy. While yeast does have some B vitamins, eating large amounts of raw yeast is not a very effective way to stay healthy. The trend eventually faded away as people found better ways to care for their skin. We now know that a balanced diet is much better than eating squares of baking ingredients.

8. The Application Of Goose Grease

Goose grease was a staple in many country medicine cabinets during the 190s. People would save the fat from a cooked goose and rub it on their chests to treat a heavy cough or a sore throat. They believed the grease would sink into the skin and loosen up the congestion in the lungs. Sometimes it was mixed with other strong-smelling oils like peppermint or eucalyptus to make it even more powerful. While the massage and the warmth might have helped a little bit, the grease itself did not have any special healing powers. It mostly just left the patient and their clothing smelling like a kitchen. Modern chest rubs use clear gels that are much less messy and far more effective.

9. The Use Of Calomel

Calomel was a white powder made from mercury that was used for a long time as a common medicine. By the 1920s, it was still being used to treat various infections and to clear the body of toxins. It worked as a very strong laxative, but it also carried the heavy risk of mercury poisoning. Patients who took it often suffered from loose teeth, swollen gums, and a metallic taste in their mouths. Doctors were starting to move away from it, but many older people still trusted it as a reliable cure for many ailments. It is a scary thought that people were regularly taking poison to feel better. We now have safe and effective antibiotics that do not contain any toxic heavy metals.

10. The Dose Of Cod Liver Oil

Much like castor oil, cod liver oil was a daily requirement for many children in the twenties. It was given to prevent a bone disease called rickets and to keep the body strong during the cold months. The oil has a very fishy and oily taste that most people found completely disgusting. Parents would often have to hold their children’s noses just to get them to swallow a single spoonful. While the oil is actually a great source of Vitamin D, the early versions were not purified very well and tasted much worse than modern fish oil. We now have small pills and flavored liquids that provide the same benefits without the terrible taste that many people still remember with a shudder today.

11. The Treatment With Bread Poultices

A bread poultice was a simple and cheap way to treat a skin infection or a splinter. A piece of bread would be soaked in hot milk or water until it became soft and mushy. It was then wrapped in a cloth and tied onto the affected area while it was still very warm. People believed the moisture and the heat would draw the infection out of the skin and help the wound heal. While the heat did increase blood flow, placing soggy food on an open wound was a great way to introduce even more germs. This could lead to a much worse infection than the one they were trying to fix. We now use sterile bandages and antibiotic ointments to keep our cuts clean and to help them heal quickly.

12. The Use Of Arsenic Wafers

It is hard to believe, but some women in the nineteen twenties ate small wafers containing arsenic to improve their looks. The poison was supposed to give the skin a pale and clear appearance that was very fashionable at the time. The companies that sold these wafers claimed they were perfectly safe for regular use. However, even small amounts of arsenic can build up in the body and cause serious damage to the heart and the nervous system. The people who used them often felt tired and sick without knowing why. This is a dark example of how the desire for beauty can sometimes lead people to do very dangerous things. We now have strict laws that keep such deadly poisons out of our cosmetics.

13. The Tonic Of Iron Wine

Iron wine was a popular restorative tonic for people who felt weak or were suffering from thin blood. It was made by dissolving iron filings in a bottle of wine or sherry. The idea was that the alcohol would help the body absorb the iron more quickly and give the person a boost of energy. It was often given to women who were feeling tired or to men who were recovering from hard labor. While the body does need iron, drinking it in wine was not the most efficient or healthy way to get it. The mixture often caused stomach upset and constipation for those who drank it regularly. We now use small iron tablets or iron-rich foods to keep our blood healthy without needing any alcohol.

14. The Use Of Asafetida Bags

Asafetida is a resin that has an incredibly strong and unpleasant smell, often compared to rotting garlic. In the 1920s, some people wore small bags of this resin on a string around their necks. They believed the powerful odor would act as a shield and keep germs from coming near them. It was especially common during the winter when many people were catching the flu or a cold. The smell was so bad that it probably kept people away, which might have helped stop the spread of germs by accident. However, the bag itself had no medical power to kill a virus or bacteria. Most people are very glad that we no longer have to wear smelly charms to try and stay healthy.

15. The Application Of Cold Cream

Cold cream was a very popular remedy for almost any type of skin irritation or dryness. It was a thick and cooling mixture of wax, oil, and water that felt very soothing on the face. While it was mostly used as a beauty product, many people also used it to treat minor burns and rashes. It provided a protective barrier that kept the skin from getting too dry in the wind. While cold cream is still around today, the versions from the twenties often contained heavy oils that could clog the pores and lead to more skin problems. Modern skin creams are much lighter and are designed to let the skin breathe while still providing a lot of moisture and protection from the weather.

16. The Remedy Of Onion Syrup

For a persistent cough, many families in the 1920s would make their own syrup using onions and sugar. They would slice an onion and cover it with a layer of sugar or honey and let it sit overnight. The liquid that formed was then given to the patient by the spoonful. It was believed that the onions had natural properties that would soothe the throat and help the body fight off a cold. While onions are healthy, the main benefit of this syrup was likely the soothing effect of the sugar on a dry throat. It was a very cheap and easy remedy to make at home when a trip to the doctor was too expensive. Many people still remember the strange and sweet taste of this old kitchen cure.

17. The Use Of Menthol Cones

A menthol cone was a small solid block of menthol that was used to treat headaches and stuffy noses. The person would rub the cone directly onto their forehead or under their nose to feel a cooling sensation. The strong smell was supposed to clear the sinuses and provide a distraction from the pain of a headache. These cones were often kept in small wooden or metal cases and carried in a pocket or a purse. While menthol does provide a cooling feeling, it does not actually cure a headache or stop an allergy. It was a very simple and portable way for people to find a little bit of relief during a busy day. We now have much better medicines that can actually stop a headache at the source.

• Tags:
• Old Remedies
• Health History
• Past Tonics
• Home Cures
• Medical Change