COUNTRY CURES

Chamomile tea is a popular country remedy and has been used for many years for calming stomachs and improving general health.

Vinegar. Honey. Baking soda.

What sounds like the beginning of a less than tasty recipe is actually a list of cureall's treasured by area senior citizens for treating some of their most common everyday aches and pains.

Nearly every person interviewed at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center could recall a common kitchen ingredient used by their parents or others for medicinal purposes. They weren't always sure how successful the cures were, but they said their relatives swore by them.

"My husband used to have lots of those he got from his mother," said Juanita Moore. "I think the old-time remedies were good, because I had four kids and I never had to take them to the hospital."

By far the most popular country cure was vinegar. Whether the ailment was painful joints from arthritis or simply a need for "pep," older area residents said vinegar would handle it.

However, never use white vinegar for medicinal purposes, they cautioned.

"It has to be apple cider vinegar," said Margie Kurre. "I take a tablespoon of vinegar everyday because it's supposed to be so good for your body."

Not everyone swore by the effectiveness of vinegar.

"It's supposed to be good for arthritis, but it doesn't work for me," said Gladys Gaunce. "I prefer pickle juice."

Elinor Reed said her mother gave her chamomile tea everyday because she was "kind of a puny kid." Reed also remembers drinking hot water and lemon juice daily, although she can't remember what it was supposed to cure.

"My mother also used to give me lydia pinkum. It was horrible tasting," she said.

Amanda Dobner, Reed's granddaughter, said her father makes a special paste to soothe skin irritations caused by bee stings.

"He uses a teaspoon of baking soda and water," she said. "I think it works."

Area seniors also recalled other, more creative ways to soothe irritations caused by insects. For example, baking grease, salty water, or -- you guessed it -- vinegar, all were listed as ways to soothe chiggar bites.

Simple remedies also were used to handle other common health problems. Fruit or juice often was recommended for constipation, and drinking a glass of cranberry juice daily would "flush the system and keep you regular."

And, of course, there was always castor oil.

"My husband believed in castor oil. My kids didn't," Moore said.

Camphorated oil often was used to soothe coughs and end congestion, but a dose of honey or cod liver oil would work in a pinch.

Despite the improved access to doctors, over-the-counter medicines and prescription medication, many senior citizens said they still rely on the country cures learned from their parents.

"They didn't have all those fancy things when we were young," Kurre said. "We had to use what we had."