How to Cure Congestion, 1682

Giovanni Battista Ferrari, Hesperides (1646)

"For a Cold and stuffing in the Head, to draw Rheum from the Head, and comfort the Brain. Take an Orange, and pare off very thin the yellow Rind; rowl it up conveniently to thrust up into the Nostril, turning the inner moist side outward to be next your flesh within the Nose; put a rowl into each Nostril. It will cause sneesing, and will make much water run down at the Nose, and comfort the Brain."

G. Hartman, The True Preserver and Restorer of Health 

If you like your martini with a twist, try your head cold with a twist!

How to Stop Sneezing, 1680

Allegories of the Senses (1561), Wellcome Library

"To stay the sneezing scratch the Soles of the Feet and Palms of the Hands; rub the Eyes and Ears; smell to white Lilly, and Bath your hands in warm Water... The Phlegm that runs from the Nose like Snot is stay'd by proper Remedies for the Cure of the Brain, whereby the Spring of such Noisome Humors is dryed... use some proper Syrup to correct the ill scent of the Snot's abundance." 

The Country-Mans Physician

Allergy season self-care: foot-scratching, hand-washing, fragrant lilies, and getting rid of the #*$&@ brain snot.

How to Stop Sneezing, 1664

La methode curative (1561), Wellcome Library

“In Neesing, there is a sudden sending forth of Air with more force and noise and a shaking of the whol Body... Palliate the Nostrils, with the Vapor of warm water, and anoynt them with Butter, Milk, Oyl, Oyl of Gourds, Poppies, Henbane, and with the white of an Egg and Mucilages. All fresh… Press and rub the Ears and Eyes, and pul the Nose, rub the Palate with the Finger and Comb the Head… Holding of the breath as it Cure the Hickets, so doth it Neesing, if the Nose and Mouth be stopped. Also frighting will cure Neesing, as soon as Hickets." 

Platerus Golden Practice 

Can't stop Neesing? No problem: just fill your nose with slime.

How to Maintain Facial Hair, 1609

John Bulwer, Anthropometamorphosis (1650)

"It is most true that a man is to be commended, if he be cleanly... his haire well dressed, his beard well brushed, and alwayes his vpper lip well curled... as if every haire would threaten to pull out his eyes, for if he chance to kisse a Gentlewoman, some rebellious haire may happen to startle in her nose, and make her sneese, so by this meanes, he applies both physick & courtesie at one time, then he may freely say, God blesse you Lady, receaving back the chirping Eccho of I thenk you sir."

Simion Grahame, The Anatomie of Humors 

Want to improve your kissing technique? With a properly curled mustache, your next kiss will really be explosive.