The Amish use a wide array of health care and wellness solutions, including both “conventional” and “unconventional”. This can vary by the Amish group, community, or family. But generally speaking, natural remedies – those derived from plants, vegetables, herbs, and the like – make up a big part of what many Amish people use to treat common ailments. And this is not necessarily unique or specific to the Amish. Many of these are remedies which have been used and passed down for generations in non-Amish society as well.
I put this video together based on two previous posts – Five Natural Remedies Used By Amish & Five More Amish Natural Remedies – so if you’d like to read more on this, I’ll direct you to those.
And as I’m not a natural remedies expert, I mainly used two books here – Emma Byler’s Plain & Happy Living: Amish Recipes & Remedies and Nature & The Environment in Amish Life by David McConnell and Marilyn Loveless.
By the way, this post is not meant as medical advice, but for educational purposes – though I know some of you will be familiar with these and maybe have even used them. I have actually used just one of them, but multiple times.
The five remedies I discuss in this video are:
1. Dandelion – Emma cites the dandelion more than any other in the book. Among its uses are for liver problems, warts, and Emma describes her father using it as a base for “bitters”.
2. Goldenseal – The root of this plant is used to make a tonic for sore throat and mouth. Emma explains that it can also be used for poison ivy and leg sores, among other purposes.
3. Super Tonic – As you might have seen me discuss before, this is one I’ve tried, and also bought in its commercial version in Amish stores. Intended for immune system-boosting, and for when you’re ill.
4. Feverfew – This plant is part of the daisy family. It’s recommended for coughs, colds and flu, and also has another non-health use that surprised me.
5. Pig’s Ear Leaves (si ohra blatter) – Also known as broadleaf plantain or Plantago major, this one is used for injuries to reduce swelling. Emma shares a story of how her nephew used it when an injured foot was too swollen for a cast.
Check out the full video here. And if you have any experience with these or other remedies, would be glad to hear about it. Runtime: 7:08
