In the beginning primitive man and the animals had only natures plants and herbs to fall back on in times of ill-health. Some myths crept into the system of 'folk medicine' as time went by. Then came the witch-doctors and magicians! It became increasingly difficult for the average person to separate the genuine from the myth!
    At first folk medicine got its 'clues' from watching animals and the remedies they 'naturally' sought out. Animals seem to know which herbs and plants will cure illness. The first thing wild creatures do is to find a place that is quiet and preferably near water, then they rely on nature's own cures. An animal bitten by a poisonous snake make seek out 'snakeroot'. A dog with a fever will find a cool, quiet place and stay there, refusing food, but drinking lots of water.
    The whole essence of 'folk medicine' is in finding nature's cure, whether it be herbs, plants, or healing sunlight. We can all learn from the birds, cats, dogs, cows and horses!

Remedies Our Grandmothers Used