Top 20 Fatal Natural Old Time Remedies

Discover 20 old time natural remedies that could put you six feet under. The amazing thing about these remedies is that people swear that they work! Sadly, there are people using them today in many parts of the world.

20 Fatal Natural Old Time Remedies

Oh, hi there, pain sufferers! Are you tired of relying on those pesky pharmaceuticals to numb your aches and pains? Well, have no fear, because today we’re delving into the world of “natural remedies.” That’s right, folks, forget about science and modern medicine, because apparently all you need are some plants and essential oils to magically cure what ails you.

So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn about ten “all natural” ways to relieve pain, because who needs evidence-based medicine when you have Instagram influencers and online wellness blogs?

 

Fatal Old-timey Medicines

Well, folks, it turns out that not all “natural” remedies are created equal. In fact, some of them can be downright deadly! Here are ten examples of folk remedies that turned out to be extremely poisonous:

Aristolochia 

 

This plant was once used to treat a variety of ailments, but it turned out to contain a toxic compound that can cause kidney failure and cancer. Here’s an interesting fact about this fascinating (and dangerous) plant:

One type of Aristolochia, called Aristolochia clematitis, used to be thought of as a good way to treat snake bites. But the plant doesn’t work against snake venom, and because it has a lot of aristolochic acid, it can also cause kidney failure and even cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization has put aristolochic acid in Group 1, which means that it is proven to cause cancer in humans. Therefore, if someone claims that Aristolochia can treat snake bites or any other condition, you should probably avoid them!

Comfrey

 

Comfrey used to be used as a poultice for cuts and bruises, but it was later found that the plant has pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are bad for the liver. In fact, its common name, comfrey, is derived from the Latin “confervere,” which means “to knit together.”

But even though comfrey has been used as a medicine for a long time, it has chemicals in it that can hurt the liver if it is eaten, so it is usually not recommended for internal use anymore.

An interesting fact about comfrey is that its scientific name, Symphytum, comes from the Greek word “sympho,” meaning “grow together,” because it was traditionally used to heal fractures and wounds by promoting the growth of new tissue.

Foxglove

 

This pretty plant was used as a heart medication, but it contains digitalis, a compound that can cause heart failure and death if not used properly. Foxglove contains a group of chemical compounds called cardiac glycosides, which can be both beneficial and dangerous to humans. The scientific name for Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, comes from the Latin word “digitus,” meaning finger, because the flowers were believed to be the perfect size for a fingertip to press and release drops of medicine.

Hemlock

Ancient Greeks used hemlock to help them fall asleep, but its poison can kill or make you unable to move. The presence of a powerful neurotoxin called coniine is responsible for the toxicity of hemlock, which is an interesting fact in and of itself. Socrates, a great Greek philosopher, was killed with hemlock, a poison that was often used to kill people in ancient Greece. Even though hemlock is dangerously poisonous and shouldn’t be used as medicine, some species of hemlock have been used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses.

Lead

 

Lead: Believe it or not, lead was once used to treat a wide range of conditions, including constipation and headaches. Lead was commonly used in ancient Rome to make water pipes and cooking pots, which is an interesting fact.

The term “plumbing” is derived from the Latin word for lead, “plumbum,” as lead pipes were used to transport water throughout the city. However, the Roman population was poisoned as a result of the metal leaching into their food and water, causing a variety of health problems.

Even though these health risks are known, millions of Americans are exposed to lead every day because their water comes from lead pipes.

Mercury

 

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, which is an intriguing fact about the element. Because of its low melting point of -38.83 degrees Celsius (-37.89 degrees Fahrenheit), it can exist in a liquid state at typical indoor temperatures.

Mercury is a heavy metal that can be harmful to both people and the environment, even though it looks like silver and is a liquid. Despite its well-known toxicity, mercury, like lead, was once used as a cure-all.

It was applied to the skin, consumed, and even used as an enema. Yikes!

 

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is technically a vegetable, but in the United States, it’s considered a fruit for legal purposes because it is most often used in sweet dishes like pies and jams. However, in other countries like the United Kingdom, rhubarb is classified as a vegetable and is often served in savory dishes. While the stalks of rhubarb are safe to eat, the leaves contain a toxic compound that can cause kidney failure and death.

Sassafras

Sassafras was once used as a flavoring agent and as a “blood purifier.” An interesting fact about sassafras is that the tree’s roots, bark, and leaves have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and cooking.

The oil made from the root bark contains safrole, a chemical that used to be used to flavor root beer but is now banned in many countries because it might cause cancer. However, sassafras leaves are still used as a spice in Cajun and Creole cooking, particularly in filé powder, which is made from ground sassafras leaves and is used as a thickener and flavoring in gumbo.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is a popular herbal remedy for depression. St. John’s Wort is a medicinal plant that has been used for centuries and is now commonly used as a natural remedy for mild to moderate depression. It gets its name from the fact that it blooms around the time of St. John the Baptist’s feast, and “wort” is an old English word for plant. However, St. John’s Wort can have dangerous interactions with certain medications, so it’s best to consult with a doctor before taking it as a supplement.

 

Tobacco

Despite the fact that tobacco is not a “natural” cure, many different cultures have used it as medicine for hundreds of years. Did you know that tobacco is responsible for the deaths of more than 8 million people worldwide each year? This includes both people who use tobacco products and people who are around people who do. Also, smoking is a major cause of diseases that can be prevented, like lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Even though the risks of smoking are well known, it is still used by a lot of people all over the world.

Arsenic

An interesting fact about arsenic is that it has a long and storied history as a poison. In fact, it was once known as the “king of poisons” due to its deadly effects and was a favorite tool of assassins throughout history.

However, it’s also an important element in the production of semiconductors, wood preservatives, and pesticides and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments.

Small amounts of arsenic are also found in many foods, especially seafood and rice. Being exposed to high levels of arsenic for a long time can cause a number of serious health problems.

Yes, you read that right; the stuff is everywhere. Arsenic was once used as a cure-all for everything from headaches to anxiety. Of course, we now know that arsenic is a deadly poison that can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and even death.

Cocaine

In the history of cocaine, it was first used as a local anesthetic for eye, nose, and throat surgeries in the late 1800s. Until the early 1900s, it was even added to Coca-Cola. But because it was so addictive and bad for your health, it was eventually taken off the market as a medical treatment and became a controlled substance. Believe it or not, cocaine was once used as a treatment for hay fever. It’s probably needless to say that it’s now illegal and highly addictive.

Datura

Datura seeds and flowers contain powerful hallucinogenic compounds that have been used for centuries in traditional spiritual and shamanic practices, but they can also be highly toxic and even lethal if consumed in the wrong dose or context.

Datura has been dubbed the “devil’s trumpet” or the “angel’s trumpet” because of its dangerous beauty and powerful effects on the mind and body. Datura, also known as “jimsonweed,” was previously used as a hallucinogen and asthma treatment. It can, however, cause delirium, convulsions, and even death.

Kerosene

Kerosene gets its name from the Greek word “keroselaion,” which means “wax oil.” This is because kerosene was originally created by distilling a mixture of hydrocarbons from petroleum and then treating it with sulfuric acid to remove impurities, resulting in a clear, colorless liquid that resembled wax.

Today, kerosene is mostly used as a fuel for lamps, heaters, stoves, and jet engines. In the past, however, it was also used as a medicine and a cleaning solvent. Kerosene was once used to treat colds and other respiratory ailments. Needless to say, it is highly flammable and toxic when consumed.

Lye 

Lye, a highly acidic substance, was once used to treat indigestion and constipation. It can result in severe burns, blindness, and even death. Lye has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes, including soap making and food processing.

In fact, the ancient Egyptians mixed lye made from the ashes of burned plants with animal and vegetable oils to make soap for washing clothes and bodies. Lye was also used in the production of pretzels and bagels, as well as the curing of olives.

Lye is still used in the production of soap and other cleaning products, as well as in the food industry for a variety of purposes. However, it is extremely caustic and must be handled with caution.

Methylene blue

Methylene blue was once used as an antimalarial and cyanide poisoning treatment. It can, however, cause seizures, confusion, and even death. Methylene blue is a dye that has been used to stain and visualize microscopic organisms and biological tissues for over a century.

However, it has recently been studied for its potential therapeutic uses, including as an antidepressant and in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is also being researched as a potential treatment for certain types of cancer.

Opium

Opium was once used to treat diarrhea and as a pain reliever. We now know, of course, that it is highly addictive and can lead to respiratory depression and death. Opium is a highly addictive drug made from the sap of the opium poppy plant. It has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years and has played an important role in world history. For instance, in the middle of the nineteenth century, British traders illegally smuggled opium into China, which led to the Opium Wars between Britain and China. This conflict eventually led to China handing over control of Hong Kong to Britain.

Strychnine

Strychnine was once used as a stimulant and as a depression treatment. It has the potential to cause convulsions, paralysis, and death. Strychnine is a highly toxic compound found in the seeds of the Southeast Asian and Indian tree Strychnos nux-vomica.

It was once used as a pesticide, an athlete stimulant, and even a medicine to treat ailments like respiratory depression and constipation. However, due to its high toxicity, it is rarely used and strictly regulated today.

Strychnine can increase muscle activity in small doses, which is interesting. Some cultures used it in the past as a performance-enhancing drug for hunting and other physical activities.

Turpentine

Turpentine was once used as a disinfectant and a treatment for respiratory ailments. It has the potential to cause kidney damage, convulsions, and even death. Turpentine has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine for a variety of ailments, including respiratory issues, rheumatism, and even toothaches.

It was a popular home remedy for coughs and colds in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was frequently combined with other ingredients, such as honey and lemon, to make cough syrups. It is important to note, however, that turpentine should not be consumed in large quantities because it is toxic to humans.

Wormwood

Wormwood was once used to treat intestinal worms and as a hallucinogen. It does, however, contain thujone, a compound that can cause seizures and other neurological problems.

Wormwood has also been used in the production of absinthe, an alcoholic beverage. Absinthe was popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and it was often associated with bohemian artists and writers.

However, the drink was eventually banned in many countries due to its high alcohol content and the belief that wormwood contained a psychoactive compound called thujone, which was thought to be responsible for its hallucinogenic effects. Recent research suggests that the thujone content of absinthe is not high enough to cause hallucinations, but the drink is still banned in some countries.

Conclusion -20 Fatal Natural Old Time Remedies

So, there you have it, folks – a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly trusting in “natural” old timey remedies without first doing your research.  So, the next time someone tries to sell you on the latest “natural” cure-all, remember that not everything from the past is worth revisiting. Stick to evidence-based medicine and leave the toxic plants to the professionals.