Ireland is a land of tall tales and myths which are commonly thrown around as accepted truths. Over generations and generations, these old Irish medicine cures have been woven into the fabric of the Irish psyche.
While the majority of people from the Emerald Isle will know these ten old Irish medicine cures through and through, some of you may wonder if they actually work. The answer truly is: some yes, some no. Have a look now and see which ones you know!
10. A Hot Water Bottle
A lot of Irish people will have quite a few memories of being under the weather and being given a hot water bottle.
It was/is as if the newfound warmth from cuddling into said water bottle would miraculously make any ailment disappear into the night. Oftentimes, it did though.
9. Dry, Burnt Toast
This one isn’t the most appealing meals – especially if you happen to have dry mouth before consuming it. In fact, dry, burnt toast would never really sound appealing, dry mouth aside.
Saying that Irish nurses have been swearing by this one for generations, and we’re not going to argue with them.
In Irish tradition, this would have been given to patients in hospitals or those with sick stomachs.
8. A Spoonful of Brandy
Brandy is a popular beverage consumed in Ireland. And, it offers dual purpose, finding its way into the medicinal category, also.
Toothaches, gum infections and wisdom teeth are the common ailments, which call for your mammy to grab the brandy. They say one spoonful, and you’ll be right as rain. And it’s no word of a lie.
7. Sudocrem
Sudocrem is an Irish antiseptic healing cream which was founded in Ireland in the 1930s.
Its thick, velvety texture offers super soothing qualities and given that the cream aims to target nappy rash, it is extremely gentle on skin.
Nowadays, Sudocrem is favoured by Irish parents for most ailments. Burns and bedsores, acne and skin irritation as well as minor wounds and sunburn, are all treated (effectively) in Ireland by Sudocrem.
6. Dock Leaves
If you were born and raised in Ireland, you would know too well that the most effective way to stop the burn from a nettle sting is to rub a dock leaf on it.
Luckily, these miracle leaves (which hastily kill the stinging sensation) grow neighbour to nettles, so they’re never too hard to find!
Interestingly, it is not the dock leaf itself which soothes the sting but instead the cooling sap which is released from the leaf as you rub it on your skin.
5. Hot Toddy
Sore throat? If you’re from Ireland, you’ll surely know this one! The only answer is “hot toddy”.
This drink consists of a shot (or two) of whiskey in hot water with lemon, cloves or sometimes ginger. It is a popular winter drink and often suggested for a cold or flu.
4. Guinness
Feeling under the weather? Burning the candle at both ends? Sure it’s nothing a Guinness won’t fix. As an Irish resident, you’re likely to have heard that reasoning one too many times.
Although we strain to understand where this random logic came from, it’s as Irish as you can get and one of the most popular old Irish home remedies.
3. A Spoonful of Honey
This is another method to curb a common cold or a sore throat. A spoonful of honey aims to coat the throat as it is thick and soothing, eliminating that god-awful “tickly cough” and providing relief to the patient.
A spoonful of honey is consumed on its own, or often it is added to tea, making it one of the most common old Irish home remedies.
2. A Cup of Tea
Similar to Guinness at #4, this is merely “Irish reasoning” through and through. A cup of tea, Irish mammies say, can cure anything. And, while that is unfound reasoning, you can’t argue with an Irish Mammy.
1. Flat 7 Up
The most common of all old Irish home remedies is drinking flat (as in a carbonated drink which has lost its fizziness) 7 Up.
It’s hard to imagine finding one Irish person who hasn’t heard of this familiar feat. In Ireland, this old-school cure is given to those with a sick stomach and also patients in a hospital. Along with their burnt, dry toast, of course (see #9).
