“…But I would like something natural!” concludes the patient's request as he goes to the pharmacy to seek a cure for his problem. Phytotherapy, from the Greek phyton 'Plant' – natural remedies, therefore – is increasingly appreciated today, especially given the side effects caused by modern drugs. Our ancestors also had a keen interest in natural approaches. Many synthetic molecules, in fact, did not exist. Humans he exploited the herbs that nature offered him.
Credit: greenstyle.it
Women of the past were unknowingly herbalists
Until the post-war period, plants were often used in Conflenti as the only therapeutic remedy. Unknowingly, the women of the past, in preparing their remedies with wild herbs, were practicing the modern herbalist's art. Without knowing their scientific effects, Wild herbs were used only based on the knowledge passed down from previous generationsAs they say, blindly! Of course, it was well known that certain specific pathologies needed to be treated with specific therapies. But for simple disorders,arrizicavanu all in agreement with the neighbor who had suffered from the same problem a short time before.
Credit: meteoweb.eu
Grandma's natural and healing remedies
Who hasn't woken up with a sore throat and longed for a nice cup of warm milk and honey? Well, this is a familiar solution to everyone. And what about raw or boiled lettuce leaves? How could they be used? Simple! As compresses against skin inflammation or to treat burns and boils. How Giuliana Paola Carnovale tells in her book “Racconto Conflenti”, there are truly many natural remedies! For liver colic, infusions of erva 'e viantuAfter decanting the infusion, it was swallowed the following day to obtain excellent results. Toothache was treated with vinegar rinses in which garlic pieces were diluted. A decoction of dried sage leaves was used as a mouthwash for the gums. While the cooked wine excellent against coughs.
Natural solutions for adults and children
Any inflammation of the eyelid was treated by dabbing the area with a handkerchief soaked in chamomile tea, which is still used today, and elderflower. Warts were removed by tying them and tearing them off with a broom stick.
Credit: docfarma.it
And what about mallow roots? Useful for respiratory infections and for treating bruises or tooth abscesses. Even children benefited from the herbs used by their mothers or grandmothers. Redness between the legs was treated with putrazzu 'e castagna or with the powder from worm-eaten beams or red brick dust. Intestinal parasites were fought with garlic suppositories or by attaching a garlic clove around the neck of children. Chamomile or a nice herbal tea made from domestic poppy seeds was used to treat insomnia in children. Fennel seeds and leaves were used to stimulate breast milk production and treat mastitis or other breastfeeding problems.
As of today theherbalist's shop It has modernized, and specialized agricultural crops have replaced the wild harvesting of the past. But the essence, more or less, remains the same. Seeing is believing!
