So if you’re suffering from an annoying sniffle, sore throat, or pesky cough, you want to shake it off as soon as possible.
You’ll probably reach for the lozenges, Lemsip, and Vicks. But experts say a treatment used by Britain’s past monarchs may have a similarly calming effect.
Some old cold remedies dating back centuries suggest boiling an owl’s head or smearing goat excrement on the forehead to relieve headaches, but There are also some less extreme treatments that may be effective.
Dr Kathryn Maud, a medieval expert at the National Archives at Kew, has discovered two 15th century prescriptions among the papers of Henry VI.
One was to relieve a coryza, and the other was to clear a stuffy nose. “Imagine a medieval Vicks VapoRub,” she said.
Recipes for herbal head poultices and inhalations of stale ale, mustard seed, and nutmeg were discovered among the miscellaneous items of the Treasury, the King’s secretariat.
Dr. Maud explained that “stale ale” is not as strange as it sounds, as it does not mean ale that has disappeared, but rather a mature, powerful ale of the highest quality.
Some old cold remedies, dating back centuries, suggest boiling an owl’s head or smearing goat excrement on the forehead to relieve headaches, but in reality There are some things that might work (file image of sick man)
An 18th-century sore throat remedy (pictured) written in a notebook by Scottish aristocrat Lady Augusta Murray suggests gargling with a combination of vinegar and port wine.
For a poultice on a feverish head, use a mixture of chamomile, sagewood, betony, and wild purslane. These are all native to the UK and are commonly found.
Dr. Maud says, “You can make a poultice and put it on the top of your head.” Poultices were a common part of medieval medicine. I think this is like using a hot water bottle.
However, Dr. Maud explains that there are many other unusual treatments available to treat cold symptoms.
An 18th-century sore throat remedy written in a notebook by Scottish aristocrat Lady Augusta Murray suggests gargling with a combination of vinegar and port wine.
She writes: “The best mouthwash, especially for a sore throat, is equal parts port wine, vinegar, and sage tea, with a little honey and bark.” [mixed] It contains no bark powder, just a liquid. ”
Dr. Maud explains that the “bark” mentioned in her note is probably cinchona bark, brought back from South America as a purported malaria cure.
Another 10th century treatment dating back almost 1,000 years, recorded in the Bald Hill Book housed in the British Library, also uses a blend of vinegar and herbs.
The recipe involves pounding celandine (a plant with yellow flowers) with vinegar and applying it to the head and forehead to cure headaches.
Another recipe for “dangerous coughers” written by Gilbertine nuns around the 13th century suggests making a syrup by mixing sage, cumin, and pepper powder and boiling it with honey. has been done. It adds that it should be taken every night and in the morning.
Dr Kathryn Maud (pictured) discovered two 15th century prescriptions in the papers of Henry VI. One was to relieve a coryza and the other was to clear a stuffy nose.
Dr. Philippa Kay tried the King’s recipe for decongesting her nose for herself and claimed that the combination of steam and mustard cleared her sinuses, but at the same time she also claimed that her eyes were running and she had a headache.
Dr. Phillipa said that while the combination of steam and mustard does seem to clear the sinuses, it also makes her eyes watery and gives her a headache.
However, notes taken from a medical text written in the Middle Ages called the Leiden Reach Book contain some pretty strange recipes.
Some people suggest that people with headaches should boil and eat an owl’s head, while others suggest mixing goat excrement with vinegar and applying it to the forehead.
If you’re feeling unwell, you shouldn’t resort to these strange methods at home, but remedies like smoking a steaming beer or drinking sweet syrup may have a calming effect. yeah.
Dr Philippa Kay, a London-based general practitioner, tried the king’s recipe for decongesting her nose herself and claims the combination of steam and mustard cleared her sinuses, but left her eyes running and gave her a headache. did.
Dr Kaye says: ‘The benefits of steam inhalation are well known – it can help loosen mucus in the nose and sinuses and soothe sore throats and hoarseness – but these effects can be reversed by adding water to a bowl or pot of hot water. It can be achieved,” he said.
Professor Ron Eccles, a biological sciences expert at Cardiff University and former director of the university’s cold center, also said that hot steam and warm sugary drinks can help fight colds.
He once studied the effects of drinking a soothing warm drink on nasal congestion.
A 2008 study found that drinking hot blackcurrant cordial provided immediate relief from runny noses, coughs, sneezing, sore throats, chills, and fatigue.
In contrast, room-temperature drinks only relieved symptoms of runny nose, cough, and sneezing.
Professor Eccles expects any warm, sugary drink to have the same effect.
He believes the steam in hot drinks can help soften and break up mucus, making it easier to breathe. It also reduces swelling in sore throats, although experts aren’t entirely sure why.
A warm shower or steam bath likely has the same effect, relieving stuffy noses, coughs and sore throats, Professor Eccles said.
He previously told MailOnline that hot, sweet drinks, such as a cup of honey with lemon or blackcurrant, are an easy way to relieve symptoms of coughs and sore throats.
He added that such drinks are effective because they stimulate saliva production and soothe the throat.