Medieval medicine was heavily reliant on herbal remedies and folk knowledge passed down through generations. Many common plants were believed to have medicinal properties, and they were used in various forms, from poultices and teas to tinctures and salves. Some of these remedies were effective, while others were based on superstition or incorrect beliefs.

Common Herbs and Their Uses:

• Garlic: Often regarded as a powerful antiseptic, garlic was used to treat infections, colds, and other ailments.
   

• Wormwood: This herb was thought to treat digestive issues and was used as a remedy for worms and parasites.
   

• Lavender: Known for its calming and soothing properties, lavender was used to treat anxiety, headaches, and insomnia.
   

• Willow Bark: Used for pain relief, willow bark contains salicin, which is chemically similar to aspirin. This made it a valuable remedy for headaches and joint pain.
   

• Foxglove: While dangerous in large doses, foxglove was used to treat heart conditions. It contains compounds that are now known to be effective for treating heart failure.
   

In addition to herbs, medieval people also used animal products, such as honey, fats, and even urine, as part of their treatments. Honey, for example, was used as an antiseptic for wounds, and urine was sometimes employed as a remedy for eye infections.

Strange and Bizarre Treatments

Medieval medicine was not without its more bizarre treatments. Given the limited understanding of disease, medieval doctors often resorted to remedies that would seem odd by modern standards.

The Use of Toads and Other Animals:
Some medieval treatments involved the use of toads, animals, or even parts of animals. For example, it was believed that toad's skin could cure warts, and some doctors prescribed toad fat for a variety of ailments. The use of animal products extended to other creatures as well, with snake oil being marketed as a cure-all for various conditions.

Trepanation:
Trepanation, the practice of drilling or scraping a hole into the skull, was used in medieval times as a treatment for various ailments, particularly head injuries or mental disorders. It was believed that releasing evil spirits trapped in the brain could cure a person of conditions like epilepsy or madness. While trepanation was sometimes successful in relieving pressure on the brain, it was also highly dangerous and often led to infection or death.

The "Cure" for the Plague:
The Black Death, which devastated Europe in the 14th century, inspired a wide range of treatments, many of which were ineffective and bizarre. Some doctors used aromatic herbs or burning incense to ward off the "miasma" (bad air) thought to cause the disease. Others recommended bathing in urine, or applying live chickens to the infected areas of the body, believing that the animals would "draw out" the illness. shutdown123