Whether it's in the form of a 'natural' supplement, a sweet, sugar-laden syrup or a drug in a brightly-packaged box, these days, there's an over-the-counter solution for just about every common ailment you can think of.
But there was a time when folk had no choice but to rely on home-made 'remedies', with - often mysterious and mind-boggling - recipes passed down through the generations.
Some have stood the test of time (hot water, lemon and honey, for instance; wonderful for soothing colds and sore throats), while others haven't (anything involving frogs? Think we'll pass, thanks!)
And how about 'vinegar socks'? Basically, this involves popping on a pair of socks soaked in a vinegar solution, and for Karin Berndl, growing up in Austria, this was common for treating a fever.
Now, the London-based photographer, along with art director Nici Hofer, has produced a book inspired by the weird and wonderful DIY 'cures' of times gone by.
While some of them don't sound particularly appealing - or likely to work - it's an amusing dose of nostalgia, and the remedies are so beautifully presented, at the very least they're a sight for sore eyes.
Tempted? Here are three traditional home remedies from Vinegar Socks to dip your toes into...
VINEGAR SOCKS
Traditionally used in Austria to lower fever
This home remedy is one most of us in Austria would have come across as children. As we lay sick in bed, our mums would have applied these socks to our feet - no questions asked - to lower the fever. It might sound strange, but this is the first thing we would think of if someone was sweating and suffering from a high temperature. We recommend using unpasteurised, organic cider vinegar.
Important: If the patient is shivering, this recipe is not appropriate, and you should seek medical advice.
Things you'll need:
500ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) cool water
1-2 tbsp vinegar
1 pair of long, woolly socks
1 or 2 towels
Get started:
The patient should be in bed, resting. Take a bowl, fill it with cool water and add the vinegar. Soak the socks in this solution, wring them out slightly, keeping them nice and wet, and slide them over the feet and calves. Put a dry towel around the socks to prevent the bed from getting wet. After 45 minutes, if the patient's temperature hasn't gone down, replace the socks with freshly soaked ones.
Remove the socks if your patient's feet or hands are cold, or if the patient starts shivering.
Why we believe it works:
Vinegar stimulates blood flow and has a fever reducing effect. It also boosts the immune system and helps waste products to break down more quickly.
HORSERADISH PARCELS
Try it for sinusitis and head colds
Make up this little parcel of relief whenever you have blocked sinuses or a numbing head cold.
Things you'll need:
Fresh horseradish root
Small square of thin cotton cloth, such as muslin
Piece of string
Get started:
Clean the horseradish and grate it as finely as possible (you'll need roughly one teaspoon). Place this on the centre of the piece of cloth and draw up the sides to cover it. Tie into a small parcel with the string. Now place the horseradish parcel just above the nape of your neck, but don't leave it for longer than three minutes. Keep an eye on the time to avoid skin irritation.
Why we believe it works:
Horseradish loosens phlegm, is antimicrobial and encourages blood flow. It could be exactly what you need!
CONKER BATHING ESSENCE
For rheumatism and gout; encourages blood circulation
On some playgrounds of the world it's all about conkers and string, but it is conkers and toothpicks in Austria... Conkers are used as heads and bodies, with toothpicks for necks and legs - there are no limits to the extensive conker zoo you always dreamed of! But calm yourself, the only 'conkimal' you'll need for this recipe is a conker-duck to replace your loyal rubber bath companion.
Things you'll need (for a full bath):
Half a bucket of ripe conkers, around 900g
Enough water to cover the conkers
Get started:
First, remove the spiky shell from the conkers. Cut the conkers into small pieces and soak them in a large saucepan of water overnight, until soft. The next day, bring the conkers and water to the boil. Remove from the heat and allow to infuse for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid into a clean bowl. Add the strained liquid to your bath. Give it a little stir - this should produce foam because of the saponins. My grandad took this relaxing bath once a week during chestnut season.
Why we believe it works:
Conkers (also known as horse chestnuts) are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, astringent and antispasmodic. They also cleanse the blood.
Vinegar Socks: Traditional Home Remedies For Modern Living by Karin Berndle & Nici Hofer is published by Hardie Grant, priced £12.99.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article