The author was a retired country doctor in Vermont, a mountainous inland area of northeastern USA. He treated both human beings and farm animals. He wrote the first edition of “Folk Medicine” in 1958 after many years of observations. He learned the specific remedies from traditional uses in that area.
He found that the following could be useful remedies for many conditions that otherwise today would be treated with patented prescriptions:
- apple cider vinegar,
- honey,
- kelp,
- iodine,
- castor oil.
Specifically, he recommended adding one or more teaspoons of raw (unpasteurized) apple cider vinegar to a quart of water. It contains potassium, and it is also a fermented food. Apple cider vinegar also makes the stomach more acidic, which can stimulate digestion. Dr. Jarvis observed that adding apple cider vinegar to the feed of the animals prompted them to grain health and strength. Other observers attribute the use of apple cider vinegar to its capacity to detoxify the liver.
He also recommend using honey, such as raw honey, for energy and its micronutrients.
Kelp is a seaweed that contains iodine and other nutrients. He recommended using tablets of kelp, particularly if the local soil has little or no iodine. The thyroid is stimulated by iodine, which he also recommended, in small doses of one or more drops.
Castor oil can be used to soften callous skin and also to remove warts, according to Dr. Jarvis.
