I remember my former SIL giving me a
Mustard Poultice when I had a bad sore throat. She was convinced that this would draw out all of the poisions and help me heal. She applied it to my neck and I remember it hurting like HELL after a while. Somehow, I think it helped - or maybe it was just time.
My family was big on home/holistic remedies. Hot water/salt/vinegar gargles were another popular solution, as was honey/lemon tea - usually chamomile and eating raw garlic.
This is a fun site listing all sort of "Olde Tyme" remidies. I think my family used about 1/2 of them.
