What home remedies did people use during the dust bowl?

Question

If you can provide any links or works that would be great too. I'm looking for alternative medicines that families during the dust bowl migration used to try and cure diseases and illnesses.

Answer 1

For an ear infection I take a little slice of garlic and wrap it in gauze and set it just outside the whole of the ear. (just barely inside the ear).  It works amazing.  For coughs and sore throats I use an essential oil from Young Living Oils called "RC".  I mix just a drop or two in the palm of my hand with grape seed oil (found in the supermarket with cooking oils) and rub all over my childs chest, neck, back, and the bottom of their feet.  The coughing stops instantly!  These are the two homemade remedies I use most frequently but I am always on the lookout for natural ways of healing the body.

Answer 2

Urinating on your feet to prevent athletes foot is one.

I can't remember the source but many took soil and clay from home with them on the way to find work. The clay, which I'm told had a lot of calcium in it, was used as a tonic during pregnancy.    

There are a number of histories of Appalachian folk medicine available.

Answer 3

My grandmother told me that she and the family used to use molded bread on a sore to cure it. The molded bread has the penicillin in it and will cure anything! Also, some used a slice of lemon on a cut to stop the bleeding as lemon has something natural in it to stop bleeding! Garlic was used too for everyday good health!

Answer 4

Castor oil

Answer 5

Read 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck: there are quite a few detailed therein