WINE OF CARDUI

Wine of Cardui, manufactured by the Chattanooga Medicine Company, consisted of Black Haw, Goldenseal and Blessed Thistle dissolved in alcohol. The product was used by both men and women, but was really marketed to women as treatment for infertility, menstrual problems and menopause.

Black Haw was a folk remedy for menstrual cramps, menopause, recovery from childbirth and the prevention of miscarriages. Goldenseal aids in digestion and Blessed Thistle is used to aid in lactation in nursing mothers.

Over time the product was analyzed by physicians and the subject of a few lawsuits, which determined that the no ingredients were in large enough quantities to really be medicinal, it was the 19% alcohol that had an effect of masking the symptoms and making the patients feel better.

WORDS CARRY WEIGHT

1900 Ohio State Journal

Police Magistrate—What do you mean by saying the defendant’s words carried weight with them?

Plaintiff—I mean, your honor, that he swore at me and then hit me with a brick.

DRUNKEN SERVANT

Mistress—I believe Jean you are in the habit of drinking rum and I don’t like it.

Footman—Madam, I have no doubt, has a more refined taste than I.