Cures for Common Illnesses Linden root and yarrow for racing hearts. Oatmeal and almond meal for cleaning one’s face. Rosemary oil for the hair, or a tonic of lemon and rosemary. Lavender for sleeplessness. Ginger root for diarrhea. Cabbage leaf poultices for wheezing. Darker ingredients were in demand as well: squid ink, thought to make tangible whatever was written in script, the hollow bones of birds for divination, mushrooms for erotic adventures or for revenge, seeds and oils to end a pregnancy, a knotted rope to burn and the ashes then eaten to bring forth a child. And there was love,
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