Appalachain folk remedies were unrelated to religious practices. They were often refered to as "folk magic" or "witch remedies". They included poultices, tinctures, liniments, charms, and other cures.
Tinctures are a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
This is a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation. They are typically kept in place with a cloth.
A liniment is a liquid or lotion, especially one made with oil, for rubbing on the body to relieve pain. There are many examples of these available. While these may have been safer than medical practices at the time of their invention, they are no longer consider to be. A few examples of liniments that you shouldn't try include camphor, olive oil, chloroform, and a dash of sassafras; oil of spike, origanum, hemlock, wormwood, ammonia, gum camphor, turpentine, and sweet oil; also, bark from apple and white oak trees, boiled down in water, and mixed with oil.
As shown, the ingriedients list of an Appalachain folk remedy can be quiet surprising, when considering their application was medicinal. Watch the video for more examples and an entertaining guessing game. A list of remedies used within the last century are availible below. Although some may seem harmless, they are still quiet dangerous for reasons which may not obvious. Never use them on yourself, others, and especially never use these on babies or children.
Appalachain folk remedies are great examples of how common household ingrdients, in a pinch, can be used as an effective home remedy. However, as the video demonstrates, just because they are effective does not mean they are safe. Please, don't try them. Evidence of there effectiveness is anecdotal and debated.
**This poses a risk of alcohol posioning for infants. Never use it.