Old Time Back Ache Remedy

[John in Covina]

I wrenched my lower back on the right side last night and am stiff enough to look crooked. Took some Alieve and am looking for my Ben Gay rub.

Made me think about How did they treat back aches in the good old days? (And what the heck were those Doan's Pills?)

 

[LizzieMaine]

Doans Pills were and still are a diuretic -- intended to keep the kidneys, and thus the back, happy.

The real Golden Era remedy for back pain was hot liniment -- Sloans, Heet, Absorbine Jr., such brands as that. Electric heating pads were popular as well. I get real familiar with mine when my sciatica acts up.

 

[John in Covina]

I used Absorbine Jr mostly for athletes foot and forgot it was a muscle ache remedy. (I do like Salampos for this. Wonder how long they've been around.)

 

[ButteMT61]

"Pep pills". Seems there was a lot of drug use "back then", but it didn't have the negative connotations to it. Even in colas. Maybe that's why they seemed happier lol

 

[Justin B]

Vitameatavegemin!

 

[Gin&Tonics]

Better living through chemistry?

 

[AntonAAK]

Possibly an older remedy than you were thinking of but I discovered this recently in the physic garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It seems that back pain had only two possible causes in the eighteenth century.

I hope you feel better soon.
Anton

 

[Juliet]

An old lady shared a recipe with me - I don't know how "vintage-authentic" it is, but seeing as how she's well over 80, I think it qualifies. Homemade, too.
Take 5 garlic cloves, grind them, mix in a tablespoon of cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, ginger, and kurkuma each (all ground). Add enough water to make a chubby paste, spread it over the body part in question - you might need help, if it's your back - than cover it with clingfim and a towel. Lay still for about half an hour. Then wipe off with a damp towel.
It sure has a smell, but it warms the muscles very thoroughly, relaxes the deep-seated knots, and so on.

P.S. Please do NOT drink anything made from Symphytum. You might find the results very different from what you expected.
However a cream or gel with an extract from the Sypmphytum officinale (not tuberosum) is very good for wrenched muscles, joints, etc. - and old as the world, so it qualifies, too