N.Z. Tradition Of Folk Remedies

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31753, 9 August 1968, Page 2

N.Z. Tradition Of Folk Remedies

Pioneers in New Zealand had to work out their own remedies for minor ills and consequently New Zealand must have its own tradition of folk medicine, according to Mrs Gillian Polson, of Christchurch, who is anxious that these remedies should not be lost. As president of the Canterbury Herb Society she is also interested in herbal remedies, some of which are also folk remedies, but she is making special effort to collect a record of tried and proven folk remedies. Folk remedies differ radically from old wives’ tales in that the former is based on practice and the latter is not

Since she made a radio broadcast last week she has had several remedies passed on to her. Oddly, some of these remedies may be confined to certain geographical areas. Two North Island women have passed on the advice that septic cuts can be treated with a poultice of linseed and oatmeal while two South Islanders have said that a poultice of grated soap and brown sugar will do the trick. “Clean-Out” Sulphur and treacle mixed together has been brought forward as a tonic for a “once-a-year clean-out." Two elderly men are reported to have thrived on their morning glass of pip and peel. Lemons—pips and all—were cut up, a handful of raisins were thrown in and boiling water was added. This beverage taken daily is reputed to have kept people in good health, she said. Miss Millicent Jennings, patron of the herb society, said her father never passed a dandelion by—he kept himself in excellent health by eating both the flowers and the leaves.

Other ways of treating septic cuts have also emerged. A North Islander says her grandmother used to treat these with the leaves of the arum lily. These were im-

mersed in boiling water and applied directly, first the under side then the upper side, on to the wound. Mustard Ballis Mustard baths have been found by many to be a cure for the common cold. One soaks in a hot bath with a pound of mustard for 20 minutes, gets into a warm bed, and in the morning the cold should be gone, said Mrs Polson.

Cold water cures were very popular in her mother’s day. according to another reader, who said a Scottish doctor whose writings were popular at that time devoted a book to cold water remedies.

A cold water compress soaked wrapped round the throat during sleep was supposed to cure sore throats. Nasturtium flowers and leaves were also supposed to have antibiotic qualities which cure sore throats. Honey also has wonderfully antiseptic properties. It can be applied directly to a slight wound to prevent infection or can also be taken as a cure for a sore throat. Germs cannot survive in honey. No matter how long you keep it, it never goes bad, said Mrs Polson. Several herbs have antiseptic qualities. A member of the herb society reports that as a child she was instructed to rub thyme on her

teeth to prevent infections. Parsley, which can only be grown by the bead of the house (an old wives’ tale, perhaps) is very rich in minerals and vitamin C and a guardian of good health. Mrs Polson is particularly interested in Maori medicine, but these have not reached her yet Maoris are reported to have taken ground flax or a mixture of ground flax and licorice as a cure for dysentery. Alternately they chewed koromika leaves. Blankets which had been washed in barilla soap have been used to bring down a fever. Kelp or seaweed tablets were also taken for their iodine properties. Green elderberry leaves and camphorated oil have been a proven relief for sprains. Baths in epsom salts are wonderful for the relief of stiffness. Chamomile baths are very good for those who suffer from sleeplessness, while chamomile tea helps alleviate nervous headaches. Hyssop, a culinary herb, is said to cure a black eye when applied as a hot poultice. An infusion of the same also alleviates catarrh. An infusion of peppermint cures minor respiratory ailments—“especially when the nose is sore to touch.”

For Shyness A soup of thyme of beer is said to be a wonderful cure for shyness while a mixture of thyme and cider vinegar is an excellent insect repellant.

Comphrey, a spinach-like plant which thrives in this climate, has excellent properties to cure skin ailments. Applied as a hot fermentation directly to the skin it is said to cure boils and pimples and if pounded to a pulp and applied to the skin it is supposed to smooth away wrinkles. Hore hound is said to have curative properties, especially with rheumatism. Herbal beauty treatments are also beginning to be unearthed and Mrs Polson is interested in gathering these, too.

Mrs Polson does not claim to be an authority nor does she wish to enter into any controversy but she is anxious to preserve these folk remedies before they are lost.