One old cure for itching involved using a piece of cacao butter impregnated with cocaine. This was to be rubbed over the itchy part. The butter would melt on the warm skin, making a smooth, soothing cover.
Alternative cures were a weak carbolic acid lotion or a solution of bicarbonate soda or baking soda.
A home remedy is a treatment to cure an ailment that uses herbs, plants and other household items.
Home remedies may or may not have medicinal properties that cure ailments because they are typically passed along by ordinary people. Many are followed out of tradition or habit.
A significant number of home remedies, however, have been demonstrated to effectively treat ailments. One popular example of an effective home remedy is using chicken soup to treat colds or mild flu.
Other medically successful home remedies are willow bark tea for headaches and fevers, duct tape to help set broken bones and superglue to treat plantar warts.