Genuine remedies are contrasted with the outrageous and often hilarious quackery that has always accompanied them. "Meticulously indexed as to type of ailment and cure, the book is divided into three sections dealing with Internal Ailments, External Ailments, Methods of Treatment...folklore experts provide scholarly information on the history of Irish folk medicine with its rich source of healings and remedies."-- "The Irish Herald . 160 pages, 5 3/8 x 8 1/4.

At a time when people are increasingly interested in natural medicine and holistic remedies, this book traces the history of folk medicine in Ireland and examines its continued popularity. It reviews a comprehensive range of country cures for both people and animals, noting that many remedies date back to early pagan times before the rise of medical science in the 19th century while others arose in the 20th century as an alternative to modern medicine. With often lighthearted humor, this guide examines how folk medicine has always been a curious blend of common sense and nonsense. From attempts to cure a child of dropsy by tying it up in a rope used to hang an innocent man to driving away whooping cough with medicine made from sheep droppings boiled in milk, this book looks at how practical observations and natural cures often went hand in hand with useless and often dangerous remedies.

An exploration of the rich herbal healing traditions of Ireland which resonate through the country’s landscape, music, festivals and language. Indigenous medicine, no matter where it exists in the world, is characterised by the oral transmission of knowledge and the necessity for each person to be in harmony with themselves, their society and environment, as well as the spirit world. Ireland is no different, and its traditional therapeutic approach is designed to address body, mind, spirit and emotions within the local social and environmental context. However, these ancient healing traditions are increasingly neglected due to the dominance of biomedicine as the country's primary system of healthcare. Ireland's Hidden Medicine explores how the core elements of any medical system are always the same: diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of ill health. These central elements do not change, but the medical systems which give them expression may evolve, mutate, and even die, because their fortunes are tied up with the changing cultural, technological, and economic paradigms of their societies. This book provides a fascinating look at the history and fortunes of Irish folk medicine - from the legendary god of healing, Dein Checht, to the coming of Christianity and the religious and social backdrop of the nation's development. The book also provides a seasonal guide to utilising Ireland's indigenous medicine, which provides a wealth of benefits and a connection to a sacred and therapeutic landscape.

It’s said that almost everyone in Ireland, particularly in rural communities, will know of someone with a ‘cure’. It might be for the mumps, a stye in the eye, or a sprain. Indeed the author of The Cures of Ireland, Cecily Gilligan was herself cured of jaundice and ringworm by a ‘seventh son’ in her local Sligo during her childhood. Cecily Gilligan has been researching the rich world of Irish folk cures for almost forty years and, given the tradition has largely been an oral one, has been interviewing a broad range of people from around the country who possess these mystical cures, and those who have benefited from their gifts. One has a cure for eczema that comprises herbal butter balls, another ‘buys’ warts from the sufferer with safety pins. There are stories of clay from graves with precious healing properties and pieces of cords from potato bags being sent across the world to treat asthma. While the Ireland of the twenty-first century continues to develop at lightning speed, there is something deeply comforting and reassuring in the fact that these ancient healing traditions, while fewer in number, do survive to this day. The Cures of Ireland is an exquisitive book that will be treasured by many generations to come.

It's said that almost everyone in Ireland, particularly in rural communities, will know of someone with a 'cure'. It might be for the mumps, a stye in the eye, or a sprain. Indeed the author of Cures of Ireland, Cecily Gilligan was herself cured of jaundice and ringworm by a 'seventh son' in her local Sligo during her childhood. Cecily Gilligan has been researching the rich world of Irish folk cures for almost forty years and, given the tradition has largely been an oral one, has been interviewing a broad range of people from around the country who possess these mystical cures, and those who have benefited from their gifts. One has a cure for eczema that comprises herbal butter balls, another 'buys' warts from the sufferer with safety pins. There are stories of clay from graves with precious healing properties and pieces of cords from potato bags being sent across the world to treat asthma. While the Ireland of the twenty-first century continues to develop at lightning speed, there is something deeply comforting and reassuring in the fact that these ancient healing traditions, while fewer in number, do survive to this day. Cures of Ireland is an exquisitive book that will be treasured by many generations to come.

"'This is a fascinating and beautiful organized and written manuscript'-Rebecca Lester, Washington University in St. Louis.