Monday, October 17, 2016

19th Century Medicine Arrowroot

The Medical Companion: or family physician; treating of the diseases of the United States by James Ewell ©1827 is the source of today's pos on Arrow Root

ARROW ROOT, Marania Arundinacea—Is cultivated in the southern states. A table-spoonful makes a pint of the finest jelly in nature, which affords the most nutricious food in acute diseases for children. To persons labouring under bowel complaints, as diarrhoea and dysentery, it is of itself a remedy.

The jelly is made in the following manner—To. a table-spoonful of the powdered root, add as much cold water as will-make it into a thin paste, anfl then pour on boiling water through the spout of a kettle, stiring it at the same time briskly, till it- becomes a clear jelly, after which season it with sugar and nutmeg, and to rentier it-still more palatable, a little wine or lemon juice may be added. But to children, blending it with new milk is best.


  1. Fantastic job with the medicinal and prairie travel posts. It's fascinating to learn about how our ancestors lived through extremes without modern survival supplies and medicine.

    1. Absolutely! If you hit the health-illnesses topic button on the blog you'll see some of the medicine items. The other is Household Medicine.