12/14/2025
◇ Colonial Remedies: Then, Now, and Why They Endure ◇
In colonial America, medicine was not always something purchased. More often, it was made. Households relied on inherited knowledge from European herbals, Indigenous practices, and lived experience. These remedies were practical, repeatable, and designed to work with what could be grown, foraged, or preserved. Many of them still exist today, refined but recognizable.
▪︎ Herbal Tinctures and Medicinal Waters ▪︎
Then: Colonists commonly prepared alcohol-based herbal infusions known as medicinal waters. These were made by steeping herbs such as rosemary, sage, fennel, or hyssop in high-proof spirits. They were used to support digestion, strengthen the body during illness, and preserve medicinal plants year-round.
Now: Modern herbal tinctures follow the same extraction method. While today’s versions focus on standardized dosing and safety, the process itself remains unchanged.
Why it matters: This practice laid the foundation for modern herbal extraction and long-term preservation of plant medicine.
▪︎ Honey-Based Herbal Syrups ▪︎
Then: Honey was valued not only as a sweetener, but as a preservative and medicinal base. Colonial cough syrups often combined honey with herbs like hyssop, horehound, or thyme, simmered into a thick syrup and taken by the spoonful.
Now: Honey remains a central ingredient in many natural cough and throat remedies, with research now supporting its soothing and antimicrobial properties.
Why it matters: Honey-based remedies show how food and medicine were once inseparable.
▪︎ Medicinal Pottages and Broths ▪︎
Then: Pottage was a staple meal, but it was also medicinal. Roots, greens, onions, garlic, and herbs were intentionally added to support strength and recovery, especially during winter or illness.
Now: Bone broths, healing soups, and nutrient-dense stews are widely used for immune and digestive support.
Why it matters: Colonial cooking recognized nourishment as a form of preventative care.
▪︎ Herbal Washes and Poultices ▪︎
Then: Without antibiotics, colonists relied on herbal washes made from strong decoctions of plants like chamomile, calendula, and goldenseal. These were used for wounds, rashes, and skin infections.
Now: Herbal first-aid products still use many of the same plants, processed with modern quality controls.
Why it matters: These practices influenced early approaches to topical care and hygiene.
▪︎ Fruit Shrubs and Vinegar Preparations ▪︎
Then: Shrubs, made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar, were used to preserve nutrients and prevent spoilage. They were consumed for refreshment and health, particularly to avoid vitamin deficiencies.
Now: Shrubs have returned as digestive tonics and culinary staples.
Why it matters: Vinegar preservation was an early form of nutritional conservation and fermentation awareness.
▪︎ Why These Remedies Survived ▪︎
Colonial remedies endured because they worked within the limits of their time. They relied on preservation, observation, and repetition rather than convenience. While modern tools have refined safety and consistency, the foundations remain the same.
These traditions reflect a period when healing began at home, shaped by necessity, resilience, and a close relationship with the land.
