Self-Care Methods From The Past

We live in an era of amazing technology and information. When it comes to hygiene and beauty, there are so many things available that none of us think of a time when they weren’t. However, men and women throughout history have had to come up with insane ideas to do the simplest tasks such as removing a stain, cleaning your teeth, repelling insects, and more. We have gathered some of the most insane and interesting methods used over time, and you might be surprised to learn that urine was utilized a lot. Let’s find out more! Click ‘Next Page’ to discover more self-care tips from the old times SHARING IS BEST Families love to share things, but this one might seem a little disgusting. Once upon a time, sharing bath water was common. You might not know that people didn’t bath as often as we did today, especially because it was troublesome getting water heated and filling a tub. Therefore, at one point in history, it was easier to share. However, it wasn’t just families sharing bathwater. You would share it with a whole town sometimes. Additionally, within families, people would clean themselves in order, from oldest to youngest in the family. So, the smallest person in the family was probably taking a bath in some disgusting water. Interestingly, back in the 14th century, they thought that the Black Death (The Plague) spread because people’s pores opened up when bathing. Apparently, they believed that being dirty was a great way to prevent the disease. Click ‘Next Page’ to discover more old-fashioned hygiene tips NO WHITE TEETH In regards to teeth, we are all obsessed with the whitest-looking and perfect smiles. There are a million treatments and products that can make your teeth look whiter, although some experts have said that the natural color should not be so white. Either way, you can imagine that obsession with teeth is older than anyone really expects, and some practices are questionable. However, white teeth were not always considered the standard for beauty. Long ago, in several Asian countries, tooth lacquering was actually popular. Some experts have even traced the trend back to 200 CE. In Vietnam and Japan, people followed “ohaguro”, where teeth are tinted completely black. Several chemicals are added to a smile and in just one week, you can rock that weird smile. Luckily, Japan prohibited this practice in 1870. USING YOUR HANDS Aside from the fact that people didn’t bathe that often, people didn’t wash their hands either. We know now that unwashed hands are a huge factor in spreading diseases. You touch doorknobs and other things that strangers have been in contact with, and if you don’t wash your hands, you might get infected. However, there was another issue. There were some ancient cultures that didn’t have cutlery, and so, they ate with their food. Therefore, an unclean hand would touch the food which would go inside your body. Also, if strangers are sharing food, or if the cook also had unwashed hands, then the diseases would spread faster. THE HUGE HAIRSTYLES There are many portraits of women with the biggest hair, and some of the epic movies in Hollywood have recreated some of these trends in their movies about the Elizabethan era or older. During the 17th century, having a big hairstyle was the norm, especially because there were so many balls, and women needed to impress others. However, there was a huge problem. The ballrooms used for these parties were also adorned by impressive chandeliers. Since there was no electricity, these fixtures had candles. So, there was a huge chance of some hairstyles getting caught and burning up. That’s one way to make an entrance, and we have to admit it’s funny to think about right now. FIXING YOUR HAIR WAS DANGEROUS There are many social studies and experiments that have proven how a hairstyle can affect a person’s mood and social interactions. Therefore, caring for your hair and maintaining great hygiene has been done for a long time. In fact, most women carry a comb in their purse just in case. A lot of people just want to look their best at all times. In the late 1800s, tortoiseshell combs were all the rage, but the truth is that they weren’t made from that material. They were made using an unstable kind of celluloid compound, which means that they were highly flammable. However, they didn’t even need to be exposed to fire to blow up. They would explode just being near a heat source. THE RICH HAD SUGAR A long time ago, certain things signified a higher status others. Things like paler skin, flashier clothes, and food indicated that someone was richer and had a better socio-economic standing than the rest. In the Elizabethan period, one of these indicators was sugar. The sweet treat could only be purchased by the wealthy, but there is a huge problem. Since they didn’t have toothpaste, the sugar led to many teeth problems. However, the aristocrats of the time said that tooth decay was the norm. Therefore, tooth decay was also a symbol of being rich because it meant that you could afford the best food. Meanwhile, the “trend” was even copied by some lower-class folks who pretended to have gingivitis to seem wealthier. Luckily, they soon realized that teeth issues were no joke and rather painful. HAIR There have been several times in our lives, especially for women, when we go to a salon and get the best hairstyle of our lives. We tend to wish it would last longer without much fuzz, and it seems that the women in the 18th century also had this idea. However, since their hairstyles were even more complicated than the popular ones of our time, it was easier not to remove the “do” at all. Therefore, women wouldn’t wash their hair regularly. After getting their locks in the big style, some women might even go weeks without removing it, and we cannot even think about the accumulation of grease inside the coiffure. Additionally, most of their styles needed a bunch of lard to keep up, and not washing it for even a few days must have produced a disgusting smell. HONEY ATTRACTS FLIES There is a popular saying that reads: “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar”. This was particularly true for ancient Egyptians, although they took the meaning literally and not figuratively like most of us do nowadays. Honey is made by bees from the pollen they collect from flowers, and it has been used for many medicinal and cooking purposes for hundreds of years. It’s rich in antioxidants and antibacterial components, but Egyptian Pharaohs had another use for it. They used it to keep flies away from themselves, but it was really cruel. They would poor the substance in their servants and slaves so that the flies would go them instead of going to the Pharaoh. The servants probably had amazing skin, but being surrounded by flies seems horrible. PALE SKIN WAS BEST Back in the day, white skin was considered the ultimate sign of aristocracy and beauty. You might have seen many portraits of pale women from the past, and that’s because it was the perfect way to show off your socio-economic status. Basically, pale skin meant that you were so rich that you didn’t spend any time in the sun. Furthermore, it applied to men and women. One of the best ways to get paler skin was using white makeup, and people still do it today. However, years ago, a lot of makeup had a lead base, and modern advancements have discovered the dangers of the material. Now, we know the lead will actually eat through the skin and get inside. Back then, people noticed their damaged skin but didn’t know the cause; so, they ultimately put more makeup on. It would eventually lead to lead poisoning. THE SAME CLOTHES ALL THE TIME Fashion is a huge part of many people’s lives. We are surrounded by ads selling clothes for all sizes, in all colors, and for all tastes. You can get anything as long as you have enough money. Furthermore, some people change their style depending on the season, especially if it’s chilly. However, in olden times, most people just had four outfits. There was one specifically designed for each season, and there were only four because most people would not change clothes that often. They didn’t like wearing something different, and most would wear the same thing to bed as well. A DIFFERENT KIND OF PAD After reading about several methods of birth control throughout cultures, you can imagine that dealing with periods was a huge problem for women as well. Aside from having no painkillers for the cramps, there were no tampons, menstrual cups, or practical pads available. So, these women had a lot of problems during this time every month. Over the years, women have found a way to deal with this messy situation. From being sequestered to making special underwear, these women were really resourceful, and one handy element was moss, which could be turned into a pad. This happened during the Middle Ages, and the moss was also used as toilet paper. Some surgeons even though it had antiseptic characteristics. THE SOLUTION FOR BALDNESS Both men and women can suffer from alopecia or hair loss. At some point, when we get older our hair starts falling off, but some men have it especially hard. It’s not a deadly condition, and most people pay no mind to it. However, there are others who have a difficult time with it, and we have to admit that it’s a psychological impact. Doctors have come up with all kinds of treatments to stop hair loss or bring hair back nowadays, but they are had certain methods in the past. Some had the idea of mixing chicken poop and potassium to stimulate hair growth. However, that definitely didn’t work. Researchers are using stem cells to make human follicles, and a US group has come up with a way to guide the cells effectively to make it happen. They are using a biodegradable “scaffold”. NO WASHING CLOTHES The winter season can be brutal in several countries. Everyone needs to dress warmly and try not to catch a cold or get wet because of the amounts of snow. Years ago, it seems that personal hygiene was not that important during the winter months. In the winter, most people wouldn’t wash their clothes, but the reason is that it was simply too chilly to be naked. That’s reasonable, especially considering the fact that they probably didn’t have space heaters or washing machines. They probably did not have many outfits in the first place, and most of the rivers – where they washed their clothes – were probably frozen solid. Furthermore, during the winter, people don’t sweat that much. SHOE POLISH WAS DEADLY One popular saying is that “if you give a girl the right shoes, she can conquer the world”. That might be true, but you have to make sure that your footwear is well taken care of. Once upon a time, shoe polish was extremely important to people, and some would actually use a risky substance. In the early 20th century, one vital ingredient of shoe polish was nitrobenzene, which would achieve the desired results perfectly. The problem is that nitrobenzene can cause fainting episodes, especially if the person had to rush and put their shoes on right after a polish. It can also be deadly is you have been drinking liquor and then inhale the element. That’s a dangerous mixture for people who were going to a party right after having their shoes shined. INTERESTING TOOTHPASTE The ancient Romans came up with many solutions and shaped their society in incredible ways, but they did have some questionable hygiene practices that we have already discovered. However, there is a lot more to learn. They used mouse brains to clean their teeth. It was mixed sodium bicarbonate to make a paste, and then, they applied it. It might have been the first bases of toothpaste, especially because sodium bicarbonate has been a component of the product for a long time. We have no idea if mouse brains had any benefits, but the Romans sure were creative when it came to caring for your hygiene. Although, we still cannot imagine what was going through the first person’s head when he came up with the method. SOMETHING TO CLEAN CLOTHES This is another item that explains a Roman cleaning method. Clearly, the Romans were obsessed with hygiene, although they tried the weirdest things. Their society had some of the greatest thinkers of ancient times; so, we cannot fault them. In fact, many of their things were probably the inspiration for future products. Meanwhile, we have already seen that urine was a common mouthwash. But, it was also used to do laundry. As an effective stain remover, the liquid could remove dirt and grease from their clothing. How would they get enough substance to clean their clothes? Well, there were public containers where people could relieve themselves, and then, those were taken to the laundry for washing clothes. We cannot imagine the smell, though. THE REASON FOR MOATS Moats might look pretty outside castles, and these structures often remind us of fairytales. They were used for protection as people couldn’t reach the castle if the bridge was up. However, you might not think that they are so romantic-looking after learning that they were also the public sewer for the people in the castle. No one wanted to swim in those waters, which might have increased their use as a protection. Aside from human waste, the residents of the structure would also throw away food scraps in that moat. That’s a recipe for some really awful smells and pretty water-born pathogens like cholera. We are so lucky to have amazing sewage systems nowadays. STRAW ON FLOORS Back in the day, there were not comfy beds or a store nearby that would offer all kinds of payment plans to everyone. People had to make the best with what they had, and everything could be used in many ways. Cement hadn’t been invented yet, but no one likes to have a floor made out of dirt in their own home. Furthermore, wood was simply not used at the time, and the only other option was straws (the kind similar to hay). The straw was also the way to protect their feet from the cold and moist ground, and it was most likely used as their bedding as well. They would place several layers and only replace the top part every once in a while. DANGEROUS USE OF MERCURY Many people around the world suffer from cold sores, which are tiny blisters that appear every once in a while around the mouth. They are caused by a herpes simplex virus type 1, and it can be spread through saliva as well as skin contact. There are also many treatments that will clear the blisters out quickly, although there is no cure for herpes still. However, people in the past had a new idea. They would treatment their ailment with mercury, which we know is a rather toxic metal. At room temperature, it acts as a liquid, and at some point, someone thought it would work as a great soother for cold sore. Obviously, it didn’t work, and old physicians would say that the poisoning symptoms are just a worsening of the original disease patients wanted to treat. LEAD WAS EVERYWHERE We have already mentioned many women using lead-based makeup that would eventually ruin their skin and make them sick. This material is a heavy metal, which means that it could handle huge weights. Therefore, people thought it would be great for water storages as well as their pipes and vats. Later on, it was discovered that it could be pretty harmful because people drink or bathe in that water. Lead is present in the environment on a regular basis, but it’s not in big quantities. So, no one would be too exposed to the substance unless they worked or visited a special facility. Meanwhile, children are more affected by lead than humans because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Some of the side-effects might include anemia, low IQ, and problems with growth. NO PLUMBING Plumbing is one of the best parts of being a modern society. You can easily clean your house and dispose of dirty waste. Meanwhile, human waste is discarded without issue. However, people had their own methods back in the olden days. They would normally discard their stuff in large bodies of water like an ocean or river, which is one of the reasons why most people settle near them. In the water, the waste would dilute and disappear in an organic way. So, they weren’t polluting eat. These days, sewage goes through a process before it’s dumped at sea, which is supposed to be better for the environment. Furthermore, it decreases the foul smell. Luckily, we don’t have to worry about this issue. GUNPOWDER FOR TEETH Teeth-cleaning was a huge issue before the invention of toothpaste. We have already learned that the Elizabethans deemed tooth decay trendy because they had sugar, others used herbs to maintain fresh breath, and Romans had urine mouthwash. However, in Regency times, the British had another idea. They would mix gunpowder and alum for their oral hygiene. We cannot imagine who came up with the idea, but at least, they were no longer considering falling teeth a good thing. This was just one of their many experiments with oral cleanliness. Gunpowder has the ability to burn quickly, which is best for firearms, and it was created in China hundreds of years ago. It was the first chemical explosive. Meanwhile, alum is a chemical substance that helps in teeth whitening and helps avoid gum disease. THE HONEY CORPSE Mummies were obviously used in many ways throughout history for medicinal purposes, and that’s just crazy to us. There are texts in medical texts from 16th-century China that talk about the practice of making a mellified man. A mollified man is created when an older fellow who is near death starts eating only honey. This society believed that everything would eventually turn to honey inside their bodies, even their sweat and poop. They would place these people in a stone coffin that had a bunch of honey as well. Later on, they would sell pieces of the body off as cures, and people believed that eating them would heal many things such as broken bones. FLOWERS TO MAKE PERFUME Flowers are used for many products like perfumes and cleaning supplies. Their scents can be pretty pleasant and used to disguise other foul smells. That’s exactly what ancient people did with flowers because they normally had horrible body odor. People didn’t bath or clean themselves as often as we do today, and they needed something to hide it. That’s why “nosegay’ was invented, which is another way to say bouquet. The word literally means “a happy nose”, and it was meant to make everyone joyous as well. Some people still use perfumes and deodorant to hide their B.O. when they haven’t showered. So, it’s not the craziest practice on this list, although ancient folks probably didn’t have much choice about not bathing. We cannot believe some of the craziest methods on this list, and we have to wonder how many of them actually worked. Let us know which one was the weirdest in your opinion. If you liked this article, share it with your friends who love to discover new details about human history. See you next time! Source: Popular Superstars

Self-Care Methods From The Past

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