The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TONIC INGREDIENTS

ALWAYS PICK FLOWERS AND ROOTS FOR TONICS. OUR SPRING TONIC WAS
SASSIFRAS AND SWEET ANISE. WE'D USE THE ROOTS OF THE SASSIFRAS FOR
TEA AND WE'D CHEW THE SWEET ANISE.
MAY APPLE ROOT AND GINSENG WERE MADE INTO MEDICINAL ROOTS AND DRIED
AND SOLD.
WE'D ALSO USE GREENS- LADY BRITCHES, POLK, DANDELIONS, ETC.-
WE'D PUT THEM IN A TUB AND WASH THEM. THEN MOM WOULD BOIL IT WITH
BACON OR PORK FAT AND YOU'D END UP WITH JUST A LITTLE BOWLFULL-
IF YOU GOT A QUART YOU WERE GOING GOOD. THEN WE'D MAKE
CORN BREAD WITH IT.

Submitter comment: HAPPENED IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.

Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): POKEWEED ; SASSAFRAS

Subject headings:

BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 05-11-1965