Ahoy, mateys! Have you ever wondered how pirates kept themselves healthy during their long voyages at sea? While there were no doctors on board, pirates had a secret remedy up their sleeves –rum! That’s right, pirates believed that rum had medicinal properties and used it to cure their wounds. In this blog post, we’ll explore how pirates used rum to stay healthy on their sea voyages.
The history of rum in pirate culture
Before we dive into how pirates used rum as a medicine, let’s take a brief look at the history of rum in pirate culture. Rum is believed to have originated in the Caribbean, which is where pirates did much of their plundering. It was easy for pirates to obtain rum due to its widespread availability in the region. In fact, rum was so readily available that it was even used as a form of currency among pirates.
As rum became more widespread, pirates began to believe that it had medicinal properties. They began to use it as a cure for everything from wounds to scurvy, a disease caused by a Vitamin C deficiency that was common among seafarers. Pirates believed that rum had the power to heal and keep them healthy during long voyages.
How rum was used to cure wounds
One of the most common ways that pirates used rum was to cure their wounds. When a pirate was injured, they would pour rum on the wound as an antiseptic. The alcohol in the rum would sterilize the wound and help to prevent infection. Pirates would even use rum to clean their wounds, believing that it had antiseptic properties.
In addition to its antiseptic properties, pirates believed that rum had a numbing effect that could help to alleviate pain. After pouring rum on a wound, pirates would often take a swig of the spirit to help ease their pain. This practice was so common among pirates that it became known as “taking a nip for the nip.”
How rum was used to cure scurvy
Scurvy was a major problem for pirates and other seafarers during the 17th and 18th centuries. The disease was caused by a lack of Vitamin C, which was a common problem on long sea voyages. Pirates believed that rum could cure scurvy and prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Rum was believed to contain large amounts of Vitamin C, which was thought to be the key to preventing scurvy. While rum doesn’t actually contain Vitamin C, pirates believed that it did and would often drink large amounts of the spirit to stave off the disease.
How rum was used to stay healthy
While rum was used for its medicinal properties, pirates also believed that it could help to keep them healthy in other ways. They believed that rum had a warming effect that could help to ward off illnesses like the common cold. Pirates would often drink rum when they felt a cold coming on to help alleviate their symptoms.
In addition to its warming effect, pirates believed that rum had a calming effect that could help to reduce stress and anxiety. They would often drink rum before a battle to calm their nerves and help them focus on the task at hand.
How to make your own pirate cure-all
Now that you know how pirates used rum to cure their wounds and stay healthy, you may be wondering if you can make your own “pirate cure-all.” While we don’t recommend using rum as a substitute for modern medicine, there are a few ways that you can incorporate rum into your health and wellness routine.
One popular method is to make your own rum tincture. To do this, simply soak a few herbs or spices in a bottle of rum for several weeks. Strain the mixture and use it as a topical medicine for minor wounds or aches and pains.
You can also use rum as a base for a homemade cough syrup. Mix one part honey with two parts rum and a squeeze of lemon juice. Warm the mixture on the stove and take a spoonful as needed to help alleviate cough and cold symptoms.
Conclusion
While the idea that pirates used rum as medicine may seem like a myth, there is actually some truth to the legend. Pirates believed that rum had medicinal properties and used it to cure everything from wounds to scurvy. While we don’t recommend using rum as a substitute for modern medicine, there are a few ways that you can incorporate rum into your health and wellness routine.
So go ahead, raise a glass of rum to the health of our pirate brethren. And remember, a little rum ‘n’ courage can go a long way on the high seas!
Image Credit: Pexels