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Curatives | Chowder | Sweet Potato Pie | Angel Cake


Curative Recipes for the Journey to America


For Seasickness

To make wormwood water take two gallons of good ale, a pound of aniseed, half a pound of liquorice, and beat them very fine; then take two good handfuls of the corps of wormwood, and put them into the ale and let them stand all night, and then distill them in a limbick [a still] with moderate fire.

For Heart Sickness

Take rosemary and sage, of each a handful, and seethe them in white wine or strong ale, and then let the patient drink it.

-- GERVASE MARKHAM, The English Housewife, 1615

The earliest voyages from England to America lasted anywhere from six weeks to several months. Gale winds blew hard, knocking people into the sea. Dampness was everywhere. Passengers drank rainwater that fell onto the deck, though it tasted of tar. Choppy Atlantic waters and rotten food brought sickness, weakness, and death. A housewife of any means at all would be sure to pack medicinals, lemon juice to prevent scurvy, and other curatives for her nauseous family being tossed about on the rocky seas.

Please do not try the seasickness recipe. Wormwood is currently discouraged because of potentially dangerous side effects, though licorice has been proved an enduring remedy for upset stomachs.

As for the heart sickness remedy, I say it can't hurt to try.

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