1. Butter on Burns
It was once common to smear butter on a fresh burn. The idea was that the fat would soothe the pain and keep it moist. Unfortunately, it actually trapped the heat in and increased the risk of infection.
While it felt comforting in the moment, it often made things worse. Doctors now say cool water is the way to go. Butter belongs on toast, not first aid.
2. Whiskey for Teething Babies
A dab of whiskey on a baby’s gums was a widely used remedy for teething pain. It numbed the area, but it also exposed infants to alcohol. At the time, people thought it was harmless.
Today, we know it was dangerous and unnecessary. There are far safer ways to ease teething discomfort. This is one old remedy best left in the past.
3. Kerosene or Turpentine for Lice
Some households used kerosene or turpentine to kill head lice. The strong smell and sting made it seem effective. In reality, it was harsh, toxic, and downright hazardous.
Kids risked chemical burns and poisoning from the fumes. It often left them worse off than before. Thankfully, safer lice treatments eventually replaced this practice.
4. Mustard Plasters for Chest Colds
Mustard plasters—cloths spread with mustard paste—were applied to the chest to treat congestion. They created a burning sensation that was thought to “draw out illness.” More often, they just caused skin irritation or blisters.
While the heat may have felt soothing, the risks outweighed the benefits. The pungent smell lingered long after, too. It’s one of those remedies that’s remembered more for discomfort than relief.
5. Sugar on Wounds
Sprinkling sugar on cuts or wounds was once believed to help healing. The idea was that it absorbed moisture and killed bacteria. In reality, it often caused more infections.
Wounds treated this way sometimes healed slower or got worse. Modern antiseptics are far more effective. Sugar is better kept in the kitchen jar.
6. Raw Meat for Black Eyes
Placing a slab of raw steak over a black eye was supposed to reduce swelling. The coolness of the meat helped a little, but it also carried bacteria that could infect the injury. It wasn’t exactly sanitary.
A bag of ice would have done the same job with none of the risks. Still, the image of someone holding a raw steak to their face became a cultural cliché. It’s a remedy that belongs in old cartoons, not real life.
7. Castor Oil for “Cleansing”
Grandma swore by castor oil to clean out the system. Kids were often forced to swallow spoonfuls of the thick liquid, leading to stomach cramps and diarrhea. It was marketed as a cure-all for everything from constipation to bad behavior.
In reality, it was more punishment than medicine. While it worked as a laxative, the misery it caused wasn’t worth it. Many still shudder at the memory of its taste.
8. Vinegar Soaks for Sunburn
Some families treated sunburns by soaking cloths in vinegar and applying them to the skin. It was meant to cool the burn, but often made the sting even worse. The harsh acidity didn’t do damaged skin any favors.
The smell alone was enough to make it unpleasant. Aloe or cool water would have been far better. This is one cure that soured quickly.
9. Onion Poultices for Colds
Onions were mashed, heated, and pressed onto the chest or feet to fight colds. The strong smell was supposed to draw out illness and open airways. In truth, it just left kids smelling like soup.
The poultices sometimes caused skin irritation and rarely helped congestion. While onions are great in cooking, they’re no substitute for real cold remedies. This was a cure more memorable for the odor than the outcome.
10. Bacon Fat on Splinters
Some households swore by taping bacon fat over a splinter to “draw it out.” The grease was said to soften the skin and make removal easier. More often, it just made a mess.
Greasy, unsanitary, and prone to infection, it wasn’t the best method. A needle and tweezers worked far better. This remedy was more appetizing in the frying pan.
11. Soap Under the Bedsheets for Cramps
Some grandmas believed placing a bar of soap under the bedsheets could cure leg cramps. No one really knew why—it was just passed along as tradition. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t actually work.
People swore by it, though, and the ritual gave a kind of placebo comfort. Still, cramps had far better treatments. Soap was best kept at the sink.
12. Mercury Ointments for Cuts and Sores
Mercury was once a common ingredient in ointments for skin ailments. It was thought to kill bacteria and speed up healing. Instead, it exposed people to toxic metal.
Repeated use could cause serious health problems. At the time, the dangers weren’t fully understood. It’s a shocking reminder of how far medicine has come.