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QR 15 A Powder for Worms
This recipe was taken from Martha Bradley's housekeepers companion The British Housewife 1756 "Receipts from Lady Hewet's Book ART 36".
In his book Culpeper's Complete Herbal and English Physician enlarged the 17th Century astrologer and physician, Nicholas Culpeper, mentions various types of worms:
"Worms in the belly & stomach, flat and broad" ;
"Long worms in the stomach" ;
"Worms in sores" - his remedy: garden sage;
"Worms in putrid & filthy ulcers" - his remedy: "the powder of the leaves of plantain taken in wine".
Another Culpeper remedy for worms uses: "the leaves of the peach tree bruised and applied to the belly or boiled in ale and drank". He also mentions that the juice of the tansy herb, as well as the tansy seeds could be given to children to treat worms. During this time, worms were considered one of the great diseases of childhood and were occasionally presumed to be the cause of death.
For more historic 'recipes for remedy' and further information, please follow the links below.
IMPORTANT - Warning: Please do not pick, take or eat any plant, fruit or berry from the Garden even if you think that you know what it is. Reference to any medicinal or curative properties of plants or to the recipes noted are historic and for the interest of visitors and should not be used or relied on as this may cause harm. Neither the Artist nor the Chelsea Physic Garden will be held liable if people disregard this advice.
Culpepper's English physician; and complete herbal
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